WEST PARIS — The dry mild winter has paid dividends for West Paris and Woodstock maintenance budgets.

West Paris Town Manager John White said the town saved $25,970.

“Our winter road maintenance costs were down 22 percent — from $117,857 in 2008-09 to $91,887 this past winter,” he said. “Most of the savings came about due to less overtime and savings on the cost of salt for treating roads. We did very little plowing or salting after January due to the lack of heavy snowstorms and mild temperatures that melted what little that we had. It would be nice if coming winters would continue like this one, but I’m not going to expect that to happen,” he said.

Woodstock Town Manager Vern Maxfield reported savings of $20,000. Last year the town spent $105,000; this year $85,000.

“We didn’t plow at all in February and used only about half of our sand/salt stockpile, which was what brought about most of our savings,” he said. “We also saved in overtime with the smaller amount of time needed to keep our winter roads in reasonable shape. As a result, we will only have to spend money for 1,500 cubic yards this year as compared to 3,000 yards last fall,” Maxfield said.

Both town managers agreed they would like to see this pattern continue but are not betting on it.

“We live in Maine,” Maxfield said. “So we have to be ready for the worst at all times.”