MONROE - The mild winter has been helpful for area road crews tasked with keeping roads clear of snow and ice. Monroe streets department supervisor Tom Boll estimated that the city has used 400 to 500 tons of salt so far this year for the handful of winter weather events seen so far; the city normally uses between 1,000 to 1,300 tons per season, depending on the year's conditions. The milder weather has also meant less labor costs, as plow drivers aren't working overtime to keep up with numerous snowfalls.