Lemont Blizzard Cleanup, By the Numbers

UPDATED, Feb. 14

According to Assistant Village Administrator George Schafer, the total cost of blizzard cleanup in Lemont was $48,691.15. Here's the breakdown:

• Public Works overtime: $12,150.46
• Total fuel cost: $3,327.06
• Total salt cost: $6,348.46
• Police department overtime: $3,654.65
• Contracted costs (snow removal): $22,000
• Lemont Emergency Management time (callback): $1,210.52

Schafer said there is a very good chance Lemont and Cook County as a whole will receive disaster assistance, so long as the county exceeds the threshold for total costs.

Feb. 8

Just one week after a blizzard dumped more than a foot and a half of snow across the Chicagoland area, Lemont officials have cleared all roads and alleys — but at what cost?

While the dollar amount for storm cleanup was not immediately available, Patch was able to catch up with Lemont Public Works Director Ralph Pukula to get a by-the-numbers breakdown of the blizzard aftermath. Here's what he had to say:

• Snow accumulation: 15-18 inches
• Village lane miles: 145
• Snow routes: 9
• Snow plow drivers: 17
• Length of cleanup shifts: 12 hours
• Total man-hours required: 1,044
• Cups of coffee: 800
• Road salt used: 105 tons
• Gallons of diesel fuel: 2,100
• Water main breaks: 2
• Patch ranking for snow removal in the South Suburbs: 1

In case you're wondering about that last point, Patch put together last week of road conditions in municipalities across the South Suburbs. Lemont ranked first, finishing ahead of a dozen other communities.

Patch Regional Editor Dennis Robaugh wrote:

"Over in Lemont, folks are praising the village for getting the streets cleared out. In face, Lemont High School remained open. School officials raved about Public Works and their maintenance staff for being able to clear the roads. They also handled two water main breaks in town during the storm."

On Thursday, Lemont Mayor Brian Reaves praised Lemont Public Works for their quick response and relentless work during and after the blizzard.

"They never cease to amaze me," he said. "The department is among the best in the area — that they have proven."

Lemont Township Supervisor Steven Rosendahl also gave credit to the Township Highway Department, which is responsible for clearing roads in unincorporated Lemont.

"They had a few trucks out there, and they worked closely with Lemont Public Works to clear all the roads in and around Lemont as quickly as possible," he said.

For more on the blizzard cleanup, be sure to check out the or our .