Getting Action From

The Highway Department

To the Editor:

I would like to respond to Ms Altman’s letter to the editor, “Plow The Road, or Reduce the Tax Bill,” [Letter Hive, 1/21/11] and to others that would have a similar complaint during winter. Yes, not getting your road plowed to your satisfaction can certainly be frustrating. I know, I’ve experienced this frustration myself in the past, even on my fairly busy road. However, before publicly blasting the Public Works or Highway Department in The Letter Hive, did you even try to contact the head of one of these departments? One can get on the town website and easily find a link to e-mail Fred Hurley or Joseph Tani to address your issue. And if you don’t use a computer, the telephone numbers can be found in your local telephone book. I would recommend trying one of these approaches first. Then if the issue isn’t fixed, by all means write to The Letter Hive.

I know this works because during the January 7 storm, I had an issue with an unruly and rude plow employee at an intersection near my home while I was trying to help a young lady get out of the snowbank in which her car was stuck. After I got home, I promptly contacted Mr. Hurley via e-mail about the issue and he responded that same afternoon with a course of action. I’ll bet if you had done the same, either your road would have been plowed some more or a legitimate explanation would have been provided.

Christopher Karpenko

6 Hattertown Road, Newtown                                  January 21, 2011