White gives way to green

Cities and towns revel in a season without winter’s chill - or costs

By Peter Schworm

Globe Staff / February 18, 2012

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Last winter, public works crews across the state wrestled with one snowstorm after the next, a budget-busting litany of salting, plowing and overtime. This winter, so far at least, has been the reward. In one of the mildest winters in memory, Massachusetts cities and towns have spent a fraction of last year’s total on snow removal, a reprieve that is helping recoup past deficits, catch up on backlogged repairs, and stockpile supplies.

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