Williston Park falls short in keeping roads passable

The Island Now

At the recent Williston Park Village Board Meeting, Mayor (Paul) Ehrbar commented on the difficulties faced by the village Department of Public Works during the recent snow storms.

While I commend the mayor’s efforts to enforce the parking ban during storms, I believe he missed two significant problems in his remarks.

First, the DPW has changed the plowing pattern in the village. Part of the reason the village has a parking ban during snow storms is to facilitate curb to curb plowing. In the 30 years I have lived in the village that has always been the practice.

This year however the plowing pattern has changed to three feet from the curb on each side of the street. Following the storm, when residents begin on street parking, the additional unplowed street area causes the cars to park far out into the street resulting in many street becoming almost impassable one lane paths.

Second, whatever brain trust decided to start a major road reconstruction and repaving program at the start of winter should be held accountable for the mess left behind. The streets are full of ruts, dips and raised man hole covers that make driving a dangerous and uncomfortable experience. I cannot imagine how difficult it must be to plow roads in such poor condition.

Did no one realize the road work would have to be suspended for the duration of the winter? Did anyone even bother to ask if the job could be completed before snow and freezing temperatures set in?

Mayor Ehrbar stated that it is the “responsibility of the village to make the roads as safe as possible and passable.”

In that regard, Mr. Mayor, the village has done a less than adequate job.

John Brody

Williston Park

 

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