LEWISTON – Maine deserves federal help defraying the costs of this winter’s snow, according to city officials.

“From the storms to the higher costs to the economy, it all hit at once,” said Public Works Director Paul Boudreau.

Boudreu sent a letter Tuesday to the Androscoggin County Emergency Management Agency asking its help in getting financial assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency. He blamed the multiple winter storms, coupled with higher fuel prices and possible cuts in state road maintenance money.

“It’s creating a hardship for us and the entire region and we need to ask, if nothing else,” Boudreau said. “If you don’t speak up, you won’t get any help.”

Maine towns and counties received $8.5 million in federal help in 2005 to pay for costs related to four major snowstorms in January, February and March.

Androscoggin County received $797,336 from FEMA for salt, sand, fuel for plowing trucks and overtime for drivers. Lewiston got $198,622 for the storms while Auburn got $152,026.

“They said in 2005 that they would not do another financial assistance declaration because of snow,” Boudreau said. The region had 29 plowable storms that winter, culminating in four massive storms in January, February and March.

The situation is similar this year. The city has had 19 plowable snow events, including Wednesday’s storm.

“We just wanted to plant a seed and ask,” Boudreau said. “If you don’t ask, you don’t get help.”