Village adds sand to its ice melt

By Jason Arndt

Correspondent

      Sand is being mixed with ice melt within the Village of Union Grove, a conservation measure enacted due to this harsh winter of excessive snowfall and extremely cold temperatures, Union Grove Public Works Director Mark Osmundsen informed members of the Village Board Monday night.

      The village has used up 800 tons of salt since November, Osmundsen said.

      “We are up to 200 tons remaining and that is why we are down to salting just the intersections and safety areas, school zones.

      “We have to make this last the rest of winter because we have too much winter to go yet.”

      Osmundsen indicated the Village started out the winter season with 500 tons of salt and needed to add more following the conclusion of 2013.

      “It was purchased this year under our new budget,” explained Osmundsen, in regards to the Village potentially exceeding its projected budget.

      However, the Public Works Director stated employees will continue to monitor the roads and the Village must be prepared for any future ice storms.

      “The only way we can keep the streets safe in ice storms is to use salt,” Osmundsen said.

      Osmundsen reported two water main breaks have occurred within Union Grove. The Village’s recent restructuring of water mains surrounding the Municipal Hall has minimized the problems.

      Most jurisdictions in the Midwest have reported record-breaking water main breaks, including the City of Racine.

      Water main breaks have occurred more frequently during the current winter season because of its record-breaking cold weather in which temperatures have fallen below zero on multiple days.