Highway services will be curtailed
by JESSICA L. FINCH Associate Editor

Despite Supervisor Satish Mohan's public statements that services will not be cut in 2007, Highway Superintendent Bob Anderson said that won't be true for his department.

Denied funding he had requested for 2007, Anderson said he will do everything in his power to ensure the safety of motorists and residents, especially this winter.

"I am very unhappy looking at (the budget process). I am trying to run a department that benefits the residents where public safety is involved," he said.

Anderson added that if needed he will have to overspend his budget for overtime, which will be taken from a fund balance.

Exact funding amounts were not available at press time but Anderson said he expects to be operating with a figure similar to 2006's budget which is $10 million.

Faced with hard costs - fuel, chemicals and other maintenance expenditures, Anderson said those amounts have to be paid which affects his bottom line.

He forecasts that the mosquito treatment program will be reduced, as well as testing for West Nile virus pools.

Last year 26 pools tested positive for the virus but in 2007 the highway department will not be able to purchase the chemicals needed to continue that level of treatment.

More than a $1 million in new equipment purchase requests were denied. Anderson said the department has a replacement program that will come to a halt, including not being able to purchase a tree truck.

"I didn't like the entire (budget) process, it all revolved around getting to the supervisor's 10 percent cut," Anderson said.