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Winter Storm Costs Local Governments Thousands

Local leaders are crunching the numbers and last weekend's winter storm will have a huge price tag.

Jefferson County Engineer Jim Branagan said trees were down on every county road and they are still trying to clear the debris before the next storm expected to hit on Tuesday.

The winter storm is taking a financial toll on the village of Mingo Junction too.

Several trees fell and brought down power lines on McClister Ave. and that's not the only problem in the village.

A salt truck caught fire Friday night and the driver luckily dodged the flames.

Because of the fire, the village is out $80,000.

"We also lost our sump pump motors and it flooded our city building basement," said Mingo Junction Mayor Domenic Chappano.

Chappano said that bill costs $1,300.

Jefferson County had all hands on deck during the storm.

"Our workers started 5 a.m. Friday and most of them were here until 5 p.m. Saturday," said Branagan.

The labor, supplies and cost of repairs to trucks will cost Jefferson County close to $40,000.

With another blast brewing, local leaders are looking to the weather while they try to watch their wallets.

"It's kind of tight," said Chappano. "We’re watching. Everyone knows what's going on with impending layoffs."

Branagan said they will not assess the county budget for roads until the spring but the recent storm could change the amount of work they can afford in the spring like paving and pothole repairs.

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