City Hall says the cost hiring outside help for snow-cleanup could near a half-million dollars
SCRANTON, Pa. — Scranton’s Department of Public Works saw 40 callouts the day after January’s winter storm — the most this decade — and the city had to hire outside help to try and make up the difference at a cost that could near a half-million dollars, Mayor Paige Gebhardt Cognetti’s administration told City Council.
City Hall said in its report that they are mulling “disciplinary action and ensuring compliance with calls for overtime” as well as a parttime staff of “alternative labor.” They said they also are considering keeping one or two contractors available for future snow plowing and removal.
City Solicitor Jessica Eskra declined to comment on the possibility of disciplinary action.
“It’s under review at this time,” she said.
Council wanted a report detailing the administration’s handling of the late January storm, which dropped nearly 10 inches of snow in the Scranton area, following complaints from residents about a slow clean-up and news of mass callouts reported in The Times-Tribune of Scranton.
Administration officials offered to discuss DPW’s efforts with council in an executive session, meaning the public could not listen to the conversation. Council was unwilling to meet in private.
“It’s just a storm,” Councilman Sean McAndrew said at public meeting this month. “I don’t know why it needs to be behind closed doors.”
The administration handed over an after-action report on the storm earlier this week.
The report said the department was insufficiently staffed during overtime shifts during most of the clean-up to make full use of the DPW’s fleet.
There were 40 callouts on Jan. 26, one day after storm, the largest amount in one day since the beginning of 2020. The following day, Jan. 27, saw 34 callouts, the fourth highest since the beginning of the decade.
The report also said the city hired private companies to help the understaffed public works teams with snow removal. The administration estimated the cost could be as much as $450,000 once all the bills arrive.
The department was well-staffed on Jan. 25, the day of the storm, and on Feb. 1, the tail-end of the emergency declaration. However, the city noted those were both Sundays, so those who showed up for work made double-time.
A representative from the DPW’s union did not return a message seeking comment.
The city and the DPW union have been locked in contract negotiations, and there’s been no public indication they’re close to a deal. The union’s last collective bargaining agreement expired at the end of 2024.
In its report, the city administration said it does not think the contract status had an impact on the callout volume. It noted that callouts averaged slightly higher under a then-current contract as opposed to the now-expired contract.