Leonard Shifrin and his neighbors say the curbs on their street were ruined by a Town of Hempstead snowplow and want them replaced.
Newsday photo by Gwen Young
About six years ago we had a bad snow storm and the plow driver hit the curbs a number of times. Over time, the curbs crumbled on Aron Drive North, Revere Lane and Abbey Lane. I’ve contacted the Town of Hempstead Highway Department three times and the town denies responsibility. I’ve written to elected officials and got nowhere. It’s a shame to pay such high taxes and have an unsightly appearance in our neighborhood. I bet if this occurred in front of a politician’s home the problem would be remedied in no time.
-- Leonard Shifrin, Seaford
Susan O'Rourke of Seaford (with friend Attila) wants broken curbs on her street repaired by the town.
Newsday photo by Gwen Young
I am hoping you can help shed light on a problem we are having with the Town of Hempstead. Our curbs have all but disintegrated and it’s dangerous for kids and the elderly. There is crumbling concrete everyone trips over. I have twisted my ankle more than once getting out of the car. We have notified the town, sent letters to Supervisor Kate Murray, Rep. Peter King, etc. No one is willing to take responsibility.
--Susan O’Rourke, Seaford
Bad news. Unless the damage was caused by the Town of Hempstead or there is a major road project in the area where everything is being redone, homeowners are responsible for replacing curbs and sidewalks at their own expense, spokesman Michael Deery said. That includes cattywampus sidewalk panels uprooted by trees planted by the town.
Because the curbs in their area look beaten or eaten up, Shifrin and O'Rourke believe the damages were caused by town snowplows or road salt. What other explanation could there be, they ask, when the deterioration is so random within the same neighborhood? Some curbs look fine, others are a mess (see video).
Deery says town inspectors have declared the curbs are in “a natural state of deterioration,” disavowing any town responsibility.
Town policies vary. For instance, curbs in the Town of Oyster Bay are replaced by the town, and individual homeowners aren't billed, spokeswoman Marta Kane said. “We take care of the road up to the sidewalk, that would include driveway aprons and curbs,” she said. However, sidewalk repair is left to homeowners, she said.
Town of Hempstead homeowners have two options to replace curbs and sidewalks: Hire someone or contract with the town to do the job. If you choose to have the town do the work, it’s billed through property taxes over a five-year period, with 6 percent interest, Deery said. More than likely, the town’s price will be less expensive because of the volume of work the town contracts out to various companies, he said.
In Seaford, "Previous inspections by the town indicate the curb deterioration is from normal wear and tear," Deery said, "but to leave no doubt, inspectors from the town's engineering department will conduct another inspection of the areas in question."
In a related matter, another Seaford reader asked why a neighboring area in Wantagh was outfitted with fancy Belgium or Belgian-block curbs when her requests for curbs in her curbless neighborhood have been ignored.
Deery said in that Wantagh area, the followed it’s policy of replacing original materials with a like product.
Homeowners who want to contract with the town to have their sidewalks or curbs replaced can call the highway department at 516 812 3184.
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