County Executive James T. Smith Jr.
400 Washington Avenue
Old Courthouse Mezzanine
Towson, Maryland 21204
410-887-2450
E-mail Address: jimsmith@baltimorecountymd.gov
Dear Friends of Baltimore County,
I hope everyone in Baltimore County had a safe and happy holiday season. As we put away our holiday decorations, we must all prepare for the hazards that winter weather is likely to bring to our neighborhoods in the weeks to come. I assure everyone that Baltimore County is ready for whatever Mother Nature has up her sleeve.
This season Baltimore County has budgeted a little over five million dollars for snow removal. We have more than fifty-two thousand tons of salt stored at 14 sites around the County, an increase of four thousand tons and two salt sites compared to last year. In addition, at 10 sites throughout the County, we have stored 40,000 gallons of liquid magnesium, which is used to keep roads safe when temperatures drop to 25 degrees or lower.
The Baltimore County Highways Bureau is ready to deploy more than 400 County employees working with 300 County trucks and 290 other County vehicles, in addition to 90 contractors, from 11 locations throughout Baltimore County to cover more than twenty-six hundred miles of roads. Under the direction of Tim Burgess, the director of our Highways Bureau, we have mapped out the fastest and most efficient routes possible to cover all that territory.
This year, Baltimore County will have a new tool to improve our snow removal efforts. Baltimore County has contracted with Discreet Wireless to install a vehicle-based GPS tracking system which the Department of Public Works will use to monitor vehicles involved in the snow removal process. Initial installation will begin with 250 county-owned vehicles, allowing us to receive updated status information on those vehicles’ locations every 2 minutes.
This GPS system will make it possible for the Department of Public Works to ensure an even more efficient and effective response to winter weather by giving them enhanced capability to dispatch the closet vehicles in response to service calls and emergencies. In addition, this system will store data and produce reports on the operation of our fleet of vehicles. By analyzing data related to our performance during snow emergencies, we will be able to plan for improved responses to future winter weather.
Whether it is through installing a new GPS system or just through old-fashioned dedication to fast and effective service, during winter storms, Baltimore County will work hard to make sure our residents get back on the roads quickly. And our number one priority is always the safety of our citizens. I encourage everyone to stay up-to-date on winter weather closures right here on the Baltimore County web site.
Winter can be a wonderful time of the year, but it can also be dangerous. Baltimore County is committed to making it possible for everyone to enjoy the beauty of winter by keeping our communities as safe as possible during these next few months.
James T. Smith
County Executive
Revised January 30, 2008
Courthouse 