"It's amazing what a few days can do," DPW Director Dan Nason told the Board of Selectmen on Monday night.
In an budget report that was updated on Feb. 7, Nason was pleased to announce that the DPW was "in the black."
"How quickly that changes," he said. "Now we're severely in the red."
The Blizzard 2013 packed a wallop, with Northborough joining other communities that were severely impacted by the storm. Ice and snow removal from the storm cost the town $72,000, which leaves the department at about a deficit of $70,000.
The public works department is one of the few that is allowed to deficit spend, thought it still needs the approval of the Board of Selectmen. The board approved unanimously to deficit spend.
"All things considered, and John [Coderre] and I talked before the event," said Nason, "and this is where we thought we’d be. It was a substantial event. We were one of the heavier hit areas. We had minimal calls and minimal complaints and we are addressing them as we speak and the staff is out there finishing up the Northgate area."
With approval, added Coderre, comes a caveat that the town try to find a way to cover any overages. Presently, Northborough has the appropriate reserve account and was also able to transfer funds from various remaining budgets to help take care of the deficit.
"I'm very proud of the staff and the way they handled the event," said Nason. "I go through three towns on the way here, and the second I hit Davidian Farms, it was night and day."
Northborough's DPW plows approximately 90 miles of road and 13 miles of sidewalk.