Staff Writer

Scarborough residents can prepare for more cold and heavy snow this winter, National Weather Service Meteorologist John Cannon said.

Cannon said January was colder than normal and snow remained heavy because of the polar jet stream, a river of wind, which blows west to east across the United States. Cannon said the jet stream is not generally active in this area during January, as more storms stay south. With the change this winter, the area became “right on the edge” of several storms.

Assistant Superintendent Andrew Dolloff said four of the department’s five school snow days have been used so far, above the average of three snow days used for the past 10 to 12 years. 

If additional school days are added in June, Dolloff said the last week of school begins to conflict with summer camps, which makes it difficult to keep students around for the final days of the school year. 

Scarborough Schools Facilities Manager Norman Justice said sand and salt has not been a problem for the school department. He said the department has a contract for the sanding, salting and snow removal for all of the school’s parking lots, roadways, as well as the road to the middle school. 

Justice said the school’s contract for the 2008-2009 school year is $118,000 and is renewed yearly, with the price generally increasing each year. 

Public Works Director Mike Shaw said the town has made 19 “full crew” call outs, times when all 16 public works plows have been used on the roads. As of press time, a total of 3,700 tons of sand and 1,200 tons of salt have been used on roads. The amount of sand was higher than usual, because of the ice storm in December, however, the amount of salt used at this point last year was 1,900 tons, more than the current amount used.

Shaw said he has been keeping a close eye on the amount of hours public works employees are putting in.

“We’re holding our own on overtime,” Shaw said. “We’re watching every line of the public works budget.” 

Cannon said he predicts more cold and heavy snow will hit the state in the next two months because February and March are the “prime snow months” in Maine.

Shaw said the town is ready for continued snowfall, but would be concerned for any rain. With storm drains covered in snow, rainfall would cause flooding and, with the cold temperatures, cause “boiler plating,” icy, bumpy patches of ice. However, Shaw said the town is comfortable with the amount of salt and sand it has for the remaining winter season.

“We’re in good shape as far as quantity goes,” he said.