News

October 12, 2009

Program fits the season for salt

With eye on supply, price, more area municipalities, entities join state program.

By Andrew M. Seder aseder@timesleader.com
Times Leader Staff Writer
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A salt shortage left many municipalities begging and borrowing. But not those that were part of a state program assured of an adequate supply at a competitive price.

The word has spread and an additional 371 entities joined the program this year.

This winter, more than 1,400 local governments are participating in the Cooperative Sourcing To Achieve Reductions in Spend, or COSTARS sodium chloride contract plan, managed by the state’s department of general services.

Among them are 57 municipalities, two school districts, an airport, a college and a sanitary authority in Luzerne County and the county itself.

“Following a salt shortage last year, nearly 400 additional local governments have wisely joined COSTARS to participate in the state’s road salt contract for this year. No matter what Mother Nature has in store for Pennsylvania, COSTARS members can breathe easier knowing that they will have access to road salt this year and will lock in at a very good price,” said Department of General Services Secretary James P. Creedon.

Swoyersville Borough Manager Gene Breznay said the program has worked well in the decade the borough has participated. This year, Swoyersville has requested 300 tons of sodium chloride at a rate of $50.85 a ton.

“It’s highly unlikely they can get that same price,” said Edward Myslewicz, a spokesman for the Department of General Services.

Breznay said that often the borough can secure the salt through the program at rates 30 percent cheaper than if it bid on its own. It also saves by not having to go through the bidding process.

“As long as the state’s going to have its program, we’ll be in it,” Breznay said. “I see no reason not to.”

Many municipalities had problems purchasing road salt last winter, said Myslewicz. If road salt could be found at all, the shortage drove prices as high as $185 per ton. Consequently, the COSTARS salt contract membership has surged 35 percent this year, from 1,060 members to 1,431, or an additional 371 members.

Among them are Courtdale, Nuangola, West Hazleton and West Wyoming boroughs and Dennison and Pittston townships.

Tom Loftus, borough secretary in West Wyoming, said that in past years the borough was able to get a competitive rate, but after the spikes last year the COSTARS program was deemed the best option this year for the taxpayers.

Not only did municipalities sign up for the program this year, but some of those that have been involved for years increased their orders this year.

Butler Township upped its order by nearly 100 tons, according to supervisor and road foreman Ransom Young.

“I can’t see why they (the municipalities in the state that aren’t enrolled) wouldn’t be in it,” Young said. The township has been in the program for at least a dozen years, and Young said that besides the ease of participating, it saves taxpayers money.

Wilkes-Barre is the largest purchaser in the county, requesting 4,000 tons this year. The smallest is Nescopeck, with 30 tons.

Wilkes-Barre spokesman Greg Barrouk lauded the program.

“It’s a hassle-free, headache-free program. We’re pretty much spoiled by it,” Barrouk said.

In addition to the 57 municipalities in the county that are enrolled in the program are the Lake-Lehman and Dallas school districts, the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton International Airport, Misericordia University, Geisinger Wyoming Valley Medical Center and the Wyoming Area Sanitary Authority.

COSTARS allows local governments, public authorities and nonprofits to “piggyback” on more than 200 state agency contracts for commodities, ranging from tires and power equipment to mailroom equipment and supplies.

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