They haven’t waited for the snow and ice to leave and they’re already providing motorists with a new challenge, but David Picozzi says one crew is on the road and others will be dispatched to greet what promises to be a spate of potholes.

What’s more, Mayor Scott Avedisian doesn’t want to let a single pesky pothole go forgotten. On Tuesday, he announced the creation of a pothole hotline and urged people to either call or visit the city’s website to report a pothole.

“Last month was the snowiest February on record, and the cold temperatures have taken their toll on our roads. With the harsh winter weather winding down, it is imperative that we identify potholes and begin patching them,” he said in a statement.

Picozzi, director of Public Works, said last week that even with more snow in the forecast and with city trucks outfitted with plows, a crew is out filling potholes. And that could be just the beginning.

The prolonged freeze has buckled and cracked roads. And the persistent snow, which now seems to have become a twice-weekly event, has compounded the problem. Repeated plowing has taken its toll. Picozzi said his $435,000 snow removal budget has long since been depleted.

“I like setting records, but we don’t need this one,” he said, reflecting on the snowfall for this winter that has already exceeded 64 inches.

Cold patch is used to plug potholes until it is warm enough for asphalt plants to open and the more permanent hot patch is available.

The scars of this winter as they impact the city’s 400 miles of asphalt and 1,900 streets are certain to come up before the City Council in the months ahead. The budget for road repairs was a hot issue last year, and already some council members say it will be a priority this year. Also, the council has the say on claims resulting from vehicle damage resulting from potholes.

Under city law, the city is responsible for up to $300 in damages provided the city had “reasonable notice” of the pothole and the claim is filed within seven days of when the damage was sustained. The registered vehicle owner is required to submit a claim form that is available by calling the city or visiting its website. Among other requirements, the owner of the vehicle is to either provide an itemized paid invoice with proof of payment and two itemized estimates or three itemized estimates. Forms can be obtained by going to warwickri.gov/claims.

To report a pothole, please call 738-2000, ext. 5700, or visit www.warwickri.gov and fill out the “Report a Pothole” form. Include the name of the street, traffic flow (north, south, etc.), nearby cross streets and landmarks.

In an email, Avedisian wrote, “Let me follow up by saying that we know that David Picozzi and his crew do a good job responding to pothole calls. However, we thought it would be easier to give people a dedicated telephone number and a link on the city website to be able to make this an easy process. We will be doing weekly updates on the number of calls received, the number of potholes filled, and the number that were referred to the State Department of Transportation as the roads reported are in state jurisdiction and not the city.”

Picozzi anticipates the city will get calls for potholes on state roads. He said that information would be forwarded to the Rhode Island Department of Transportation.

Like the city, the state DOT requires that claims be filed within seven days of the sustained damage. Supporting documentation including police reports, costs and towing receipts are to be submitted within 60 calendar days.