Letters

I am writing in response to the article about the removal of trash cans from downtowns [“Outrage Spews on Southampton Officials Over Removal of Public Trash Cans From Downtowns,” 27east.com, September 17].

I want to clarify the role of highway superintendent. It is not a position driven by politics nor influenced by wealthy residents; it is an elected position defined by New York State Town Highway Law. The superintendent’s job is clear: to maintain and repair roadways, plow snow, manage drainage, ensure road safety, and oversee the staff and equipment that accomplish these tasks.

As important as what a highway superintendent is responsible for is understanding what a highway superintendent cannot do.

The superintendent cannot use highway tax monies to perform work on private property, private roads, Trustee roads, county roads or state roads, unless there is a specific legal contract and approval from the Town Board. For example, the Highway Department has service contracts with Sagaponack Village and the Long Island Rail Road to maintain their properties. Town highway tax funds may only be spent on roadways that are legally part of the town highway system.

On average, a Southampton Town resident pays between $175 and $375 per year in highway tax, which is strictly allocated to maintaining the town’s highway system and applies to all the services listed above. The average individual pays that in one month for internet service.

So, one must ask: Why are residents so vexed about services that fall outside the Highway Department’s purview?

The traffic cone program, spring and fall leaf/brush pick-up, and, yes, garbage pickup on county and state roadways are outside of standard Highway Department services, and thus are not guaranteed. Why let Suffolk County and the state avoid their obligations? Their roadways, their curbing, their rights-of-way, their grass, trees — and, yes, their garbage — are their responsibility; why should it be the burden of Southampton Town taxpayers?

When asked this question, Suffolk County Legislator Ann Welker looks like a deer in headlights. When State Assemblyman Tommy John Schiavoni is asked, he shrugs and says, “We don’t do that.”

We should all be asking them: “Why?”

As I near the end of my fourth year as highway superintendent, I could not be prouder of the progress the department has made. The systems I inherited were far from providing the level of service, efficiency and fiscal responsibility we exhibit today.

The Highway Department delivers what the law allows, within a tight budget, under the watchful eye of the state comptroller. We regularly go beyond what the law requires. We will continue to do so, because the people of Southampton Town deserve nothing less.

But let’s be clear: We shouldn’t let the county and the state off the hook. They must pay their fair share.

Charlie McArdle

Superintendent

Southampton Town Highway Department