Stephanie Rawlings-Blake

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This week we honored and recognized some of our dedicated public servants with the Mayor’s Medallion for Meritorious Service award.

Public service is a noble profession, but, for a different type of glory. Those of you honored have performed consistently, and with limited to no fanfare, and in some cases with limited resources. I established this award to give recognition to City employees who are known to go above and beyond to accomplish a task, or assist a citizen in need, or implement a program designed to enhance the quality of life for every Baltimorean.

And do you want to know the best part of this award? Each of the honorees were nominated by their colleagues, their peers, the people they stand shoulder-to-shoulder with every day. Because of their efforts, we have safer streets, better schools, stronger neighborhoods, a growing economy, innovative government and a cleaner, healthier Baltimore

And so on behalf of your co-workers and a grateful city, I say “Thank you.” The Citizens of Baltimore appreciate you. Your family appreciates you. Your colleagues appreciate you. And, I appreciate you. I am very grateful for your work every day to provide the best government for the citizens of Baltimore.

Our snow team, comprised of the Baltimore City Department of Transportation, Baltimore City Department of Public Works, Baltimore City Department of Recreation & Parks, Baltimore City Department of General Services, is ready for the winter season. We have spent many hours during the warm weather months to review our performance last winter in order to improve the level of service that we deliver to the citizens of Baltimore. With a snow budget of $6.3 million, the city’s snow removal program includes over 300 essential personnel, 280 pieces of city and contractor equipment and 15,200 tons of salt.

This week we showcased our newly constructed brine facility which will be utilized for the first time this year during snow operations. Crews will use the brine to pretreat city gateways prior to a storm, which will help prevent snow from sticking to the roadways and assist crews with snow removal efforts. In addition to the brine facility, a new 7,500 ton salt dome has also been constructed here to increase the city’s storage capacity. This is the first new salt dome to be constructed in the city in over 20 years.

Just as we have prepared, we also need citizens to be prepared and ready for inclement weather. We ask for the full cooperation of motorists and residents alike, so that clearing snow from city streets can be done as efficiently as possible. Citizens should plan ahead and assemble emergency supply kits for both their homes and vehicles. During a winter storm, we strongly advise citizens who do not have to travel to remain indoors. While crews are treating city roadways, any vehicles that become disabled will obstruct the movement of snow plows and hinder our removal efforts. Citizens who must travel during a storm should take precautions and be well prepared before driving.

We ask that citizens tune into the local news or log onto the city’s snow page at snow.baltimorecity.gov for updated information during inclement weather. Residents can also call 3-1-1 for assistance.

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