Patrick Passes On Snow-In-Harbor Question

As road crews clean up after this week's storm — and prep for the next one — Gov. Deval Patrick on Thursday stayed out of the debate over whether snow should be dumped in Boston Harbor.

The governor says it doesn't matter what he thinks about dumping plowed snow into the harbor. He says it's up to what environmental officials and those wanting to dump the snow. He says Boston Mayor Thomas Menino has shown little desire for the practice, which has been banned since the harbor was cleaned of pollutants two decades ago.

But what to do with the growing mounds of snow is a major concern.

"I know that we're finding a place to put all this stuff is a serious, serious problem," Patrick said, "and above all, what I'm hoping for is warmer weather so we can start melting some of it off."

The governor spoke about the subject while he dropped off coffee and doughnuts to snow removal crews. He said the state's road response was "incredible."

With well over the average snowfall this winter, the state has nearly depleted its snow removal budget. Patrick has filed a supplemental budget that includes more funding for the growing winter costs.