No more free salt, sand for people in Mass. town

[January 30, 2009]  BUCKLAND, Mass. (AP) -- Residents of a small Massachusetts town used to be able to help themselves to a free bucket of sand and salt from the highway department to treat their steps and walkways after a snowstorm.

But no more.

Officials in the western Massachusetts town of Buckland have suspended the perk at least temporarily because it appears some people have been abusing the privilege.

Highway Superintendent Steve Daby told selectmen that people have been filling the backs of pickup trucks with the mixture, and that some people taking advantage appear to be from out of town, The Recorder of Greenfield reports.

Selectmen say they can no longer afford to give it away.

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Information from: The Recorder, http://www.recorder.com/

[Associated Press]

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