Question: How Much Does It Cost to Replace Stolen Storm Drains?

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Question: How Much Does It Cost to Replace Stolen Storm Drains? 

Answer: Swampscott Director of Gino Cresta said it will cost the town about $10,000 to replace the 10 stolen storm drain covers.

Late last week someone, or more than one person, lifted the cast-iron gratings from Fuller Ave, Pine Hill Road, Beverly Road, Shelton Road, Bradlee Ave, Phillips Ave and Harrison Ave.

The director hopes to have all the covers replaced by late this week.

The gratings cost $300 to replace but the town must also replace the masonry framework that the covers sit on.

The framework is about eight inches deep, and will cost about $400 to reset each one.

Add labor and transportation to the replacement and resetting costs and the price is $900 to $1,000 per cover.

The money is a concern but paramount is the danger that the open holes posed to drivers and walkers, the DPW director said.

The openings are about 30 inches across and 4 to 6 feet deep, he said.

Someone could have been seriously injured if they fell in or drove over one of the holes.

The DPW has placed orange traffic barrels over most of the holes and have saw horses extended over the others.

The storm drains are at the side of the road by the curbing. Rain and snow melt flow into the drains and the town's storm water lines.

The covers are made of cast iron and weigh about 150 pounds.

Thieves sell them for their metal value.

About this column: You Ask … Patch Answers is a weekly column for locals looking for answers to questions about everything from trash pickup to new businesses. If you have a question, send it to terry.date@patch.com