SYRACUSE -- Last winter was a busy one for the Syracuse Department of Public Works.

Commissioner Pete O'Connor says last year snowplow operators had to work 12 hour shifts almost 7 days a week to keep up with the snow but this year it has been a different story.

"Almost every shift we've had has been a normal shift of 8 hours each crew," he says.

Less plowing means less road salt and less maintenence on the trucks and O'Connor says it has all added up to a savings of  $1.1 million this winter. Money that will now go back to the city's general fund.

The warmth is making it easier to clean the city streets.

O'Connor says street sweepers are already out getting a jump on spring cleaning.

Not only will the city streets be cleaner earlier O'Connor says they also will have less potholes since there wasn't as much freezing and thawing this year.

Bottom line O'connor says the warm temperatures have given the department a lot to be thankful for this year. "Overall a lot of blessings this year a lot of blessings," he says. If the warm weather keeps up O'connor say the DPW will be able to start its summer construction season a head of schedule.