A band of freezing rain and ice pellets across Chatham-Kent yesterday will mean a hit to the municipal budget.
Director of Public Works Miguel Pelletier says at least 20 staff had to be called in to deploy salt trucks, clean up downed trees, and branches.
"We had to close two roads because one of them was from hydro poles falling over, and we did report that to Hydro One to come and fix the poles" says Pelletier. "And then we also had another one in Tilbury, so we had to close (the road) as well." Tecumseh Line in Tilbury and Mull Road between Pinehurst Line and Boundary Line near Chatham were the affected roadways.
Because yesterday was a statutory holiday all staff called in will be paid overtime. Pelletier says his winter control budget, which started in January, was already $700,000 over budget heading into the final month of the year.
