HOULTON – Last winter, when close to 200 inches of snow was recorded in Aroostook County, many municipalities were forced to dip into reserve accounts to pay for the costs of road salt, plowing and overtime for road employees.

This year, Houlton town officials are hoping the area will see a kinder winter, especially since the price of road salt continues to rise.

During a brief meeting earlier this week, town councilors unanimously voted to accept the price of $76.92 a ton from Harcros Chemicals Inc. for the town’s supply of winter road salt. The town expects to purchase approximately 1,400 tons.

Last year, the town paid $59 a ton for the product.

“Last year, we budgeted about $84,000 for winter road salt and we’ve used $50,000 so far,” Town Manager Doug Hazlett said. “We’ve got $34,000 to get us through the end of the year.”

Hazlett suggested that the town accept the Harcros proposal, which was put out to bid by the Northern Maine Development Commission on behalf of 54 communities.

In other business, councilors issued a victualer’s license to Gary and Lisa McGuire, who are opening the Shamrock Cafe at 2 Alice Ave. Councilors also appointed Gerald Berthelette and Carl Lord Jr. as members of the board of assessment review.

jlbdn@ainop.com

532-9257