The heavy snowfall across the county has caused a shortage of road salt and the prices could balloon.
Palos Heights Ald. Jack Clifford said at the Feb. 17 city council meeting that since Dec. 29, the city has used 298,000 tons of salt and 1,825 gallons of liquid to be used with the salt.
City Administrator Adam Jasinski said that the widespread snowfall could cause a potential spike in future costs.
Clifford broke the numbers down for the council.
“Right now, we’re paying $65 per ton for salt,” Clifford said. “We’ve been put on notice that there is a shortage from Morton’s Salt that it will more than likely go up to $150 a ton.
“It’s going to cost us a lot of money. We’re in the planning stages to make sure we have enough salt on hand at the current prices and max out there before we start buying more at these inflated prices.”
Jasinski said that via an agreement with the state, Palos Heights is allowed 600,000 tons at the current price.
Officials are considering purchasing the remaining 200,000 tons of that allotment right away.
Big bangs coming in July
The council voted to approve the hiring of J&M Displays Fireworks for $28,000 for its July 3 Independence Day show.
“This is not typically the amount that we spend on that,” Ald. Jeffrey Key said. “But with the 250th anniversary celebration (recognizing the United States) coming up, we’re spending a little bit more.”
The council also approved closing down a portion of Harlem Avenue from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on July 4 for the city’s annual parade.
First-responders dinner
Clifford announced the Lions Club will host a first-responders dinner at 6 p.m. March 18 at the Palos Country Club, 13100 Southwest Highway in Orland Park.
The Palos Heights, Palos Park and North Palos fire departments will be honored this year.
“It’s a good thing to honor these guys,” Clifford said. “It’s especially fitting this year in that it’s the 25th anniversary of 9/11.”
Other news
- Palos East fifth grader Amelia Jensen won the Palos Heights vehicle sticker contest.
- The city granted a liquor license to Eagle Market, Inc. at 12100 South Ridgeland Ave.
- It also approved a grant for a sign for Biggby Coffee, 11845 Southwest Highway.