It's day two after a blizzard shrouded the Miller Place-Rocky Point area in more than two feet, and one question continues ring out from frustrated locals: Where are the plows?
Brookhaven Town on Saturday opened a portal on its website where folks could report unplowed roads.
Officials in other towns have said the volume of snow, and the many abandoned cars on the major roadways, has slowed down plowing efforts. Some community members have reached out to Patch and said their roads still are not plowed as late as Sunday.
Annmarie Field of Sound Beach wrote in an email to Patch that Port Jeff and Shoreham Road in Sound Beach are still not plowed.
"This WHOLE neighborhood is STILL snowed in! The Town of Brookhaven is NOT giving them any answers as to WHEN they can expect to get out & the snow is getting harder & more difficult to plow!," she wrote. "My Nephew has two children & now has NO heat. They are freezing and cannot do anything about it until someone can get in and fix it! Shame on the Town of Brookhaven for leaving their residents stranded...This is becoming a dangerous situation!"
On Facebook, Kathy Brindley asked Sunday morning, "Has anyone in MP or SB had their road plowed yet? Looking for a little hope here......"
Ellen Benedetto responded, "nope Im in the "Hollow" in M Pl nothing but the neighbor with a Bobcat."
At Patch, we'd like you to help us create a list of what's plowed and not plowed in town so far. Just add a comment below with the name of your street and whether it is plowed or not. Send this link to people you know so we can create a comprehensive list. We will be forwarding this link to the town, as well.
i THINK THE TOWN NEEDS TO TAKE BETTER LESSONS IN SNOW PLOWING. AND THE OTHER PROBLEM IS . THEY CAN NOT GET PRIVIIATE PLOWERS TO WORK FOR THEM WITH THE HIGH INS THEY WOULD HAVE TO CARRY. IT"S NOT WORTH IT SO THERE FOR WE DON" T HAVE ENOUGH MAN POWER. aND THE DESEL WAS NOT TO BE FOUND. THIS IS MAKING LIPA LOOK NOT AS BAD
Reached on his cell phone Monday, Romaine declined to say where he was or when he left, but said he has been in constant contact with town officials since the blizzard struck. "I did not anticipate this storm, otherwise I wouldn't have left," Romaine said. "I haven't had a vacation in two years. This was the only time there wasn't a work session or town meeting." The supervisor said the airport where he is vacationing is closed, but that he plans to fly back to Kennedy Airport "as soon as possible."
http://www.bizjournals.com/boston/blog/mass_roundup/2013/02/boston-mayor-menino-apologizes-nemo.html http://www.thehartfordguardian.com/2013/02/11/clearing-nemo-hartford-makes-progress-with-snow-removal/ http://www.newcanaannewsonline.com/local/article/Some-roads-may-not-be-plowed-till-Sunday-state-4268898.php
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Recall-Ed-Romaine-Fire-Dan-Panico/128649057308271?filter=2
Brookhaven is noted for their political influence and the true test were the last two storms. It is time to revamp the system, since this one, obviously doesn't work. What happened to last year's snow budget..where did that money go? We are stupid taxpayers to put up with the political BS! Get real, people!!
Second off the TOB relies on subcontractors for a storm as this magnitude. The number of subcontractors has fallen dramatically in the last two years. The 2011 season was great for subcontractors. The 2012 season…not so great. 2013 season subcontractors were not called out until this storm. I believe two years ago the TOB required additional plow coverage. In the past we called out in small storms prior to this blizzard. With the additional expenses that had accrued with no income, subcontractors fell off the grid. Personally I had considered going private next season due to the lack of income. I have a respectable amount of trucks and resources to accommodate Smithaven mall. So in retrospect this has bit TOB in the ass
Forth off related to visibility did anyone notice tree’s and wires down? I cant tell you how many times the trucks had to stop halfway down a block to encounter a downed tree or wire. Utility crews were not present until Monday the 11th. So to some of you wondering, “why my street wasn’t plowed until Monday” that’s why!
But we need to HIRE a highway superintendent and get rid of it being a political friend debt candidate. Wake up people!..you are spoiled!
In 1996 TOB had much more sub contractors @ their disposal. If I'd guess +50% less. Increased required insurance and lack of work drove them away. It bit the politicians in the ass! Prior to this blizzard they would call us in to salt for a few hours to cover expenses. This has changed! Do your self a favor and ask the candidates what their intention of is keeping sub contractors to bail out the hwy dept in a need as of this past storm. First hand as a sub I assure you that we are dropping at an enormous rate.
http://www1.ncdc.noaa.gov/pub/data/cmb/images/snow/nesis/19960106-19960108-11.78.jpg