With Impending Weekend Snowstorm, Patchogue Village Mayor Keeps Circling Back To 'Dollars'

PATCHOGUE, NY — Similar to the last three snowstorms, Patchogue officials are expecting to declare a state of emergency on Saturday ahead of the storm to ensure vehicles are parked off the roads as plows remove snow.

But while the snow is falling on a weekend, again, this time, it might be easier for commuters who will be home making snowmen and drinking hot cocoa, but no so relaxing for the government's coffers.

It will be more of one, the village Mayor Paul Pontieri says.

"I don't think people understand the financial impact, because that's all time-and-a-half for all your municipal workers," he said. "So it is a very expensive storm, not only based upon the amount of snow we're getting, but the day it falls."

The last three snowstorms also fell on Sundays.

One of them in December dumped over a foot in some areas of the region.

"Just from a municipal financial point; it's very difficult on Sundays, because the guys have to work at 12 to 13, hours; 20 hours, and you're getting double time and a half," Pontieri said, adding that there will be around 25 workers on duty.

"That's a lot of money," he said.

He did not immediately have the cost of the last two snow emergencies.

The amount of snow this time around could present more of a strain on the village.

"I think the fact that it could be with an eight to 12 inches, it could be an issue," Pontieri said. "It could be 20 inches. "Any place within the middle of that, it's a lot of snow, but, that means it's a lot of hours of work, and that means it's a lot of expense to get it done."

"You have the Town of Brookhaven, which has around 3,500 miles of roads, they have their vehicles, and then they have contract vehicles," he said. "I can't imagine what they paid."

Patch has reached out to Brookhaven Town Supervisor Dan Losquadro for a storm preparation update.

Pontieri explained that the village has used up its snow overtime already, so the board will have to dip into its reserves, "but it's a job that's got to get done."

Workers will start spreading salt on Saturday, "which is time-and-a-half," Pontieri said, adding, "I keep coming back to the dollars.

The first layer of salt will keep the snow and the wetness from adhering and turning into ice, and make it easier to move around.

He expects to make an emergency declaration around noon on Saturday, says Pontieri, adding, "it works pretty well most of the time."

Any vehicles left parked in the street, will have to be towed to one of the village's municipal parking lots, and the tow fee, which usually runs around $125, will be charged back to the owner.

Residents should know they need to stay off the roads, as much as possible.

"Here in the village, we will get it cleaned up pretty good, but we can't do it without the help of the residents," Pontieri said.

In the meantime, in preparation for the storm's cleanup, officials have rescheduled the Planning Board's meeting from Tuesday to Wednesday. Pontieri urged residents to check for updates on the village's website and Facebook page.

This story will be updated. Check back later.