Winter Salt Supply Strategy
Summary
The lone SHACOG bid came in at $160 a ton — nearly double the $94.44 state contract price. Council agreed to buy all winter salt through COSTARS instead, saving about $37,000, and hopes SHACOG will limit future bids to its own communities to attract more bidders.
At a glance
- Total mentions
- 4
- Last 30 days
- 0
Discussed at 1 meeting in the last 60 days; most recently Oct 13, 2026.
Impact analysis
Saves about $37,000 versus the rejected bid; filling the new barn by October 31 earns a $5/ton discount.
Taxpayers, through lower winter road-salt costs.
Some smaller COG communities that rely only on the regional salt contract could be left scrambling.
Mentions & discussions (4)
Borough Council - Oct 13, 2026
The borough locked in Morton Salt as a backup supplier at $136.40 a ton, on top of its cheaper primary CoSTARS supply at $94.40 — insurance against a salt shortage during snow season.
Borough Council - Sep 8, 2026
With the usual SHACOG salt bid not happening this year, Baldwin joined a backup bid with Pleasant Hills and other communities while keeping its COGSTARS supply. Bids open September 18, and the borough can still reject high prices.
Borough Council - Aug 11, 2026
The lone SHACOG bid came in at $160 a ton — nearly double the $94.44 state contract price. Council agreed to buy all winter salt through COSTARS instead, saving about $37,000, and hopes SHACOG will limit future bids to its own communities to attract more bidders.
Borough Council - Jul 14, 2026
The Southwest Area COG salt bid for the 2026-27 winter got zero responses after Compass declined its option year. Bids will be re-advertised with an August 10 opening; Baldwin is better positioned than some communities thanks to its COSTARS secondary supplier.
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