Highway Department to Get New Phones

As a snowstorm bore down Tuesday night, the voted to  buy a new phone system for the highway department, which had complained that its phones had failed during the post-Christmas blizzard.

Details about the cost or extent of the system were not immediately available and the highway superintendent was not in the room. But it was clear that the ongoing dispute between Naughton and Town Supervisor Frank Petrone and others would  continue.

Reached Wednesday, Naughton said, "The phone system that this resolution is about is the phone system that failed during the last snow storm. This is the system for our main office. It has also failed numerous times before. It is  over 25 years old. The failure of this system hampered communications with our facilities and also our communication with residents. We are happy that the Town Board saw fit to provide for the funds to pay for this new phone system."

Naughton's department came up two other times during the board meeting.

One contractor complained about a lack of a raise, though Supervisor Frank Petrone insisted that the board had approved raises last year.

Naughton said Wednesday, "The last time the rates were raised was January 8, 2008 resolution number 2008-35. The agenda for that meeting is here. The contractors have complained to us also. Their insurance, repair, and fuel costs have risen in the last three years with no pay rate increase. We even put an ad in the Patch to try and get more contractors.

Naughton also said that the department had tried to reach a businessman who complained about the plowing done on East Carver Street after the last storm, and said a highway department employee had been rude when he called. He also complained that Naughton wasn't at the meeting, Petrone shot back, "We haven't seen him in a year and a half."

But Naughton said Wednesday, "We are presently working on resolving this issue." He said that no one from the man's store was available about midday  when the department called to address the complaint, but added, "We are making an extra effort to clear the snow on East Carver Street near this man’s medical supply business."