CORTLAND, NY (607NewsNow) — Cortland County faces a dilemma over drivers this winter. 

Deputy DPW Commissioner Alan Ricottilli tells 607 News Now a shortage of snowplow drivers sparked immediate concerns. 

“We’ve had employees leave to explore other opportunities for higher pay,” Ricottilli said Monday on WHCU’s 607 This Morning. “We were not receiving any applications to replace those, so we saw concern earlier this year and approached the Legislature with this issue. We got together and decided to try offering a stipend to our current employees and to hopefully recruit new ones,” Ricottilli added.

The Cortland County Legislature approved a $7,500 stipend for current and future DPW employees. One plan DPW was exploring because of their driver shortage involved limiting service; plows would not clear roads after 5 p.m.

Ricottilli is hopeful the stipend will help to fill coverage gaps ahead of the 2026-27 winter season.

FULL INTERVIEW: Cortland County Deputy DPW Commissioner Alan Ricottilli on 607 This Morning