Harsh winter weather may be in the rear-view mirror, but city officials started preparations for snow-and ice-slicked roads to come with a recent groundbreaking ceremony for Rye’s new salt shed.
Mayor Josh Cohn and members of the City Council were joined by state Sen. Shelley Mayer and Assemblyman Steve Otis at the Department of Public Works, where the new salt shed will be built over the next several months. The structure is estimated to cost $2.1 million, with $400,000 coming from state grant money secured by Mayer.
The new shed will be built with timber treated with an oil-borne preservative that prevents salt brine from penetrating the wood fiber, extending the expected life of the building to more than 40 years.
The building is part of about $10 million worth of capital improvement projects at the public works department, including a new fuel depot, an upgrade to Building 7, and demolition and construction of a new Building 5.
“It is wonderful to see these badly needed DPW improvements underway, with more on their way,” Cohn said. “These projects and our in-process sanitary sewer renewal work has required years of city council energy and city staff work and great New York State financial help through Senator Shelley Mayer and Assemblyman Steve Otis.”
The salt shed is an important and necessary addition for the city, Mayer said. “As New York State experiences an increase in volatile weather conditions, it is critical that our local municipalities have the resources they need to do their jobs and keep our residents safe.”