Keeping Troy safe during a rock salt shortage

TROY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -So far this winter, it’s not the amount of snow but the frequency of storms that’s created problems with rock salt in Troy. Whether it’s one inch or a foot, the plows and salt have to come out.

The City's rock salt supply was almost gone by the start of February and something had to be done.

“You don’t call an emergency declaration just to call one,” said Mayor Carmella Mantello. “Our bays, we probably had half of a bay (of rock salt) at best and we have three to four bays.”

The Collar City has a contract with American Rock Salt to receive its namesake mineral and keep local streets safe. Mayor Mantello told NEWS10’s Anthony Krolikowski that shipments over the last two weeks have been lacking in supply.

The emergency declaration issued on February 6 allows Troy to now buy rock salt from other vendors. “It was a little bit higher price tag. I mean, think about it: statewide shortage, northeast a shortage. American Rock Salt actually stated that. We may have the ability to get reimbursed that credit where it is a little higher.”

In a statement, a spokesperson for American Rock Salt wrote, “We appreciate the patience and understanding by Mayor Mantello as we manage our deliveries of rock salt to our Government customers across New York State.”

Five more inches of snow have fallen on the Collar City since the declaration was made. The Public Works Department has been able to handle it with newly purchased bays and bays of rock salt for the snow bursts and storms to come this week.

“Frigid temps, icing temps; you can’t wait for it. You have to actually go out there, salt a little bit and then during the storm and then post-storm,” described Mayor Mantello.

Troy is not alone. According to American Rock Salt, “Rock salt companies across the northeast, and even Canada are being challenged by the historic demands and a result of a unique winter where we are experiencing prolonged periods of cold and icy weather.”

Mayor Mantello said American Rock Salt expects to fulfill the City’s rock salt needs from here on out. She added there’s no timeline on when the emergency declaration has to end and her office can end it at any time.