Though Winter weather is far from over, 17 Northampton County municipalities have exhausted or are "in dire need of salt." That's what Executive John Brown told County Council at its Feb, 6 meeting. He indicated he would be meeting with Emergency Management Services (EMS) officials in the next day to look for a way to solve this crisis.

"Bushkill Township is a mess," remarked council president Peg Ferraro, "and I can verify that." So can everyone living in the Nazareth Area School District. All their schools had to be closed because of the icy roads last week in Bushkill Township.

Council member Scott Parsons complained that PennDOT, which has a salt supply located just a quarter mile from Pen Argyl Borough Public Works, has refused to share its supply.

"Cooperation seems to be lacking," he observed.

This road salt shortage was first reported here last week. At that time, Hanover Township had enough road salt for just one pass. Other townships reported similar problems. The winter storms increased demand, but International Salt, which supplies most Lehigh Valley municipalities, was temporarily closed down as the result of a workplace fatality.

Municipalities muddled through the first snowstorm last week (Feb 3). But right before the second storm (Feb 5), three Northampton County municipalities - Hanover Township, West Easton Borough and Pen Argyl Borough - advised EMS they had run out of salt. Hanover Township declared a state of emergency Feb. 6, looking for state assistance.

Eight other municipalities have quickly followed suit.

These disaster declarations authorize municipal officials to act as necessary to meet the demands of the current situation. They can hire temporary workers, rent equipment and purchase supplies without having to follow procedures established by law.

Director of Emergency Management Services Robert Mateff stated, "Emergency Management officials will continue to advocate vigorously to the state on behalf of municipal needs."