Update: We have added information from South Orange Village President Alex Torpey.
If the streets of Maplewood seem a little more slick today than during other snow events, there’s a reason.
Maplewood Public Works Director Calvin Bell reported that “due to County-wide shortages,” salt is being used “sparingly” on Maplewood’s roads today in anticipation of salting needs for tonight and tomorrow.
“During today’s State of Emergency snow event, DPW has been addressing snow removal by continually plowing throughout the day and into the evening,” wrote Bell in an email. “Salt is also being spread throughout the town, however due to County-wide shortages, it is being used sparingly, so that there is availability for the freezing temperatures predicted for this evening and tomorrow.”
Maplewood is not alone.
South Orange also reported being low on salt. “We normally keep between 1000 and 1200 tons of salt, we are down to a few hundred tons, which will be enough to get us through this storm and still have some emergency supplies,” said Village President Alex Torpey. However, he said the shortage was not affecting the township’s ability to keep roads clear.
On Tuesday, The Montclair Times reported that Montclair’s “1,000-ton capacity salt shed was almost empty.” According to Essex News Daily, West Orange has been struggling with a salt shortage since early February.
