Plow fund low this winter

Residents may notice the absence this winter of weekend snow plowing on the municipal streets. Due to the tightening of Moorcroft’s 2018/2019 fiscal belt, the budget for plowing has been squeezed a bit as well.

Despite the issue of whether people want the snow pushed to the sides or into the middle, Moorcroft has enjoyed relatively clear winter time roadways around town for the last several years. However, this is going to change this winter; there will be no plowing of the streets during the weekends as such work is considered overtime and the town cannot afford it.

The town actually is under no legal obligation to plow streets at all, says Moorcroft Attorney Jim Peck. “There is no liability if [they] don’t plow the streets,” he says.

Public Works Director Cory Allison discussed the situation with the governing body at the recent meeting of the council and later shared his discomfort with not plowing whenever it snows. “I think we should be protecting our citizens a little more on the slick roads,” he says.

“Unless there’s significant snowfall,” opined Councilman Dale Petersen at the meeting, “we shouldn’t be out on overtime doing the streets.”

Councilman Ben Glenn agreed, but suggested that if conditions become extremely bad, Allison should have the option of making that call whether or not to plow. This point was carried by Mayor Dick Claar as well: “If it needs it, it needs it.”

Plowing will continue as usual throughout the week, but there is simply no money to stretch to overtime plowing on weekends so, depending on the snowfall this winter, citizens may want to invest in chains.