Lynbrook, E.R. officials discuss preparedness amid snowy March

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In the wake of yet another March snowstorm hitting Long Island Wednesday, village officials in Lynbrook and East Rockaway discussed their preparedness and offered an update on their snow-removal budgets.

Lynbrook Mayor Alan Beach said village officials were well prepared and that the Department of Public Works is only halfway through its snow-removal budget.

"All things considered, these storms have been fairly mild," Beach said. "The village is only half way through its snow-removal, man power, and sand and salt budgets. There is also a budget for an outside contractor to be called if the village were to require it and none of this budget has been used."

With multiple nor'easters hitting the area in recent weeks, Beach said village residents were regularly alerted. He said robo calls were sent out before and during Wednesday's storm to keep residents informed and to request that they keep cars off the roads so that the DPW could access streets. Garbage pickup was not canceled, and 12 trucks were out salting and sanding the roads before the storm.

East Rockaway Mayor Bruno Romano said 15 plows, sanders and other trucks have been utilized this winter, including Wednesday. “As with each winter storm this year, village personnel were ready and pre-treated the roadways,” he said.

As far as monetary concerns, Romano said village officials had not tallied the costs associated with the storm to see how their winter budget was holding up as of press time.

This time of year is also considered pothole season because temperatures tend to drop below freezing at night and are generally warmer during the day. Potholes are formed when moisture collects in small cracks and holes in the road surface. As temperatures fluctuate, the moisture expands and contracts because of freezing and thawing, which breaks up the pavement. The snowstorms will likely exacerbate the issue.

According to Beach, the pothole issues on village roads have been dealt with, but he noted that county roads within the village still have to be worked on.

Romano said that the DPW would start repairing village roads when the weather warms up. He added that village officials contacted County Executive Laura Curran about longstanding potholes on county roads. These include Atlantic Avenue, East Rockaway Road, Scranton Avenue and Ocean Avenue, Romano said. “Crews temporarily filled those potholes prior to the storm along county-maintained roads in the village,” he said.

As for the potential impact the increased snowfall has had on spring sports such as Little League, Beach said that the leagues have not started or been delayed. "Registrations are ongoing," he said.

Romano said that the Recreation Department has had to cancel its programs during the recent winter storms. He added that the East Rockaway Little League still intends to host its parade and Opening Day festivities on April 7 at 10 a.m. at the village’s Recreation Complex Field.