Hempstead Town Releases New Snow Plow Plan

A report just released by the Town of Hempstead outlines changes the township can make to better plow its streets during a snowstorm, and it shouldn't cost taxpayers any extra money.

The report was ordered by Supervisor Laura Gillen in the aftermath of a January snowstorm that dumped a foot or more of snow all over the area. According to the town, it received 3,660 complaints from residents about how roads were plowed after the Jan. 4 storm. Because of that, Gillen ordered a review of the town's plowing operations.

As a part of the process, Gillen's office pieced together GPS data from snow plows in communities that expressed higher than average concerns over the town's performance. From there, commissioners and senior supervisory staff from the town's various departments were interviewed, and a formal accounting of the town's processes and protocol were documented. In addition, the Gillen's office also read numerous emails and viewed photos submitted by the public.

"On my fourth day in office, the town was hit with a bomb cyclone snowstorm," said Gillen. "I applaud the sustained efforts of the many Town workers who got us through this blizzard; nevertheless, in the face of approximately 3,600 complaints, it was necessary to review the prior administration's policies relating to snow removal and evaluate how they could be improved. "

Among the recommendations to improve the town's response to a storm are:

• Consolidating sole responsibility and oversight of snow plowing operations from three departments into the Highway Department, answerable directly to the supervisor.
• Assigning non-snow plowing personnel to the snow operations command center in order to provide feedback to resident's complaints.
• Increasing accountability by mandating a published snow operations supervisory plan and establishing a clear chain of command with clearly defined roles for employees.
• Creating multiple levels of responses based upon varying degrees of snowstorm conditions that can be implemented on short notice.
• Updating map areas developed approximately 50 years ago to reflect the most up to date changes in local roadways and development, taking into account the unique features and conditions of each area, and then properly matches existing snow plowing equipment to handle each map's features.
• Requiring a formal accounting of town employees interested in participating in snow operations and any special qualifications that may be required to further workforce participation.
• Re-establishing unused town facilities that can be staffed and utilized for the repair of vehicles and equipment during snow storms.
• Requiring foremen and supervisors make a final inspection of town roadways, along with reports of personnel assigned to each piece of equipment in their designated map areas.

"Plowing can be greatly improved by consolidating operations under one central department with a clear chain of command, which will be charged with strategically stationing equipment and personnel in geographic areas that are closer to actual plow areas, as well as by matching specific types of equipment to the types of streets that are needed in individual neighborhoods, rather than by using the 'one-size-fits-all' approach, currently in effect," said Gillen. "I would like to thank the public for its patience during the review process, and would like to ensure residents that a careful and deliberate overhaul of the town's operations, with the recommendations outlined in the report, is of paramount concern."

Residents can read the full report for themselves by clicking here.

Photo: Patch