City needs to monitor salt distribution

Gingerly easing my way down our steep Mount Washington street in the early morning of Dec. 16, I stumbled upon the handiwork of a “rogue” city salt truck operator. A heap of salt, the grainy equivalent of a massive speed bump, was piled at the bottom — yes, bottom — of the icy pitch. Later, I mulled over the situation while shoveling what turned out to be approximately 900 pounds of salt into bags so it wouldn’t wash away, having served no apparent purpose, into the nearby storm drain during that night’s rain.

I was, therefore, flummoxed after reading the Dec. 25 editorial “Salting Winter Roads,” about relying on “human experience” in the application of salt during winter weather. While salt may seem to be a benign and effective solution to de-icing, the quantity in which it is used can significantly disrupt the normal chemistry of soil and water, leading to imbalances in the respective ecosystems. Additionally, salts are corrosive and contribute to accelerated degradation of roadways and automobiles.

Mike Gable and the Department of Public Works are right to monitor the “human element” of salt distribution with installation of tablet technology on trucks. Reductions in cost, environmental harm and property damage are all welcome benefits of such an initiative. I look forward to more intelligent solutions from our city leaders. The editorial board would benefit from researching the science behind their recommendations in the future.

LEIGH ANNE DICICCO

Mount Washington