About one month into winter, the city has spent about half of what it budgeted for snow removal. Initially, $500,000 was set aside and now about $250,000 remains.

With a string of heavy storms that’s proof of a snowy winter not mismanagement. Eight hundred and ninety tons of salt was used and 60 plows worked to clear the snow.

It was a necessary effort but in an already tough budget year, no one wants to go over budget on something like snow removal.

Heavy snow is not only an economic threat but it can also pose a public safety threat. At Monday’s tragic fire on Fairfax Street, neighbors shoveled out fire hydrants but tall snow banks obscured them from sight for firefighters.

Like we do in New England every year, we’ll get through it. As long as too many people don’t clutter the streets with lawn chairs and other assorted items to reserve their favorite public parking spaces.