Little snow means big relief for N.J. towns

Municipal officials in New Jersey say the mild weather this winter is a welcome relief.

Snowfall totals in New Jersey this winter are well below normal and far smaller than last year — even considering this weekend’s snowfall.

In Hope Township, Mayor Tim McDonough said the mild winter and little snow are having a positive effect.

“We haven’t bought one truckload of salt yet. Our overtime is way down,” he said. “Monies that would have gone in our public works budget we’ve already starting putting that other places, so hopefully that will help with other items in our budget.”

So far this winter, the New Jersey Transportation Department has spent about $7 million on snow removal compared with the $48 million it cost to clear the highways last year.