Huntington Patch asked the Huntington Highway Department about how things were going with the town's snow removal efforts and in particular, the noticeable absence of plows.
Here is the response from superintendent William Naughton.
"We have just experienced the worst possible scenario with regard to a winter storm. On Friday it started off raining and quickly changed over to a record 29 inch snowfall. Because of the rain all roads ended up with a thick layer of ice under the snow.
Our primary method of snow removal has always been using local contractors in small 6 wheel dump trucks or pickup trucks. These trucks have had a very hard time plowing the snow because it is heavy and there is a layer of ice under it. The trucks lose traction and are getting stuck. Because of their frustration with getting stuck and damage to equipment many of them have left service.
Due to the ice our own equipment has become stuck and some of it has been damaged. Yesterday (Saturday) we reached out to Supervisor Petrone and State and County Emergency Management officials to request heavy equipment like payloaders, 10 wheel dump trucks, backhoes etc. Some of these requests are starting to be filled. We would like to thank these agencies for helping us out in this trying time.
We are operating today with 100 less contractor pieces of equipment than we had yesterday but please be assured that we will not stop until every road is open to traffic.
We appreciate your patience!"
Note: Michael Naughton e-mailed this for his father.
Article from Newsday in 2009, prior to his last election referencing him as 76 at the time... http://www.newsday.com/long-island/politics/huntington-town-highway-superintendent-william-naughton-1.1554952
If I thought I had a chance of winning, I'd run for this office in November.
When the next snow comes to your block just call Susan Berland and tell her Banboo is down the block. You can bet she will get someone in there to investigate. One issue at a time people, she could be your next supervisor. Pretty sad isn't it you can't have snow removed in a timely manner but Bamboo - that just can't go away without being taken care of by the town.
We get it that you don't like Susan Berland, but try to get productive and talk about the two people (and there are ONLY two, Naughton most of all, and Petrone) who are in an executive capacity to do something about natural disasters, like massive snow storms. The other four members of the Town Board don't get to rule anything, or give any orders.
We wont forget this mess fellas!!
Lighten up Goin' Commando - I just wanted to make a point that she is a one issue gal. You must be playing in the snow too much if you think I do not know who the Supervisor or Highway Supt. are and what they can do.
While I don't agree with everything that Berland says and does, she is the only Democrat on that Board in the past twenty years who has bucked the political bosses like Mary Collins, Huntington Democrat boss, and her toadies Cuthbertson (the Board's worst party hack) and Petrone (Frank's almost as bad but slightly less offensive than argumentative Mark). When Glenda Jackson was on the Board it was a real joke, and you just kept watching for the puppet strings. But Berland has an independent streak in her, and I respect that, even though I am a Republican. Frankly, she will deserve reelection to that Board more than any of the other four, Republican, or Democrat, or "Independent". She is hard working and thinks through issues, and is prepared to fight for the right thing, even when it is not that popular to do so.