Lexington streets and roads crews along with public safety and emergency response officials are ready to respond to a third round of winter weather. Lexington Mayor Linda Gorton held an update Wednesday.
Office of Homelessness Prevention and Intervention Director Polly Ruddick said more money has been set aside for emergency housing in motels. “These individuals are not allowed into our regular shelters and without these additional funds, they would have no shelter,” said Ruddick.
The mayor’s office also announced the City’s Housing Stabilization Program has received more than $9.6 million in new federal funding to expand rent and utility relief to citizens who have lost income because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Streets and Roads Director Rob Allen said his crews have been dealing with weather issues for a week now.
He added efforts are being made to clear and treat roads in area neighborhoods. Allen admits it’s difficult when another weather maker comes along. He noted additional snowfall or ice will mean turning attention back to priority roadways, but the subdivisions are not forgotten. “We’re looking at these neighborhoods that we haven’t been able to get to yet. That’s why we’re adding number eleven stone which is pea gravel to give it a little more traction, a little more umph while we wait for mother nature to give us an assist,” noted Allen.
That help is expected sometime this weekend when temperatures are forecast to go well above the freezing mark. Fire Chief Jason Wells said his crews have responded to structure fires and have seen four carbon monoxide calls with one involving illness.
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