It's day two after a blizzard shrouded Smithtown in more than two feet, and one question continues ring out from frustrated locals: Where are the plows?
While Smithtown Patch was able to reach the town's public safety director John Valentine on Saturday, he was not able to give specific details on the state of the town's roads, and what is causing many neighborhood streets to go unplowed since Friday.
Multiple calls to town highway officials, meanwhile, went unanswered, and after 2 p.m. went straight to voicemail. The town also does not give updates on its websites, unlike nearby Brookhaven Town, which on Saturday opened a portal on its website where folks could report unplowed roads.
Officials in other towns have said the volume of snow, and the many abandoned cars on the major roadways, has slowed down plowing efforts.
Smithtown did post this message in its site at 6 p.m. on Saturday: "Town of Smithtown Highway and Parks Departments are working diligently to clear Smithtown roadways. Please be patient as there is a tremendous volume of snow to be removed from town roads. Please stay off town roads if at all possible."
In the interim, comments on this site and social media have overflowed, with many calling out the town for what they say is a poor response to the blizzard.
"Third Street in Saint James, Not touched since last night! Can't leave the house. Have about 18" in the road. I have lived here for over 50 years. This is the poorest response to the roads as my taxes go up! What is going on with the town? Still waiting for the stumps to be removed from Sandy. Who to you blame?," Rod Goble wrote.
At Patch, we'd like you to help us create a list of what's plowed and not plowed in town so far. Just add a comment below with the name of your street and whether it is plowed or not. Send this link to people you know so we can create a comprehensive list. We will be forwarding this link to the town, as well.
These two won't play nice in the sand box and we are paying for it. Everyone of us!!!
You can see how poorly they are attached to these new trucks. What a waste of money.
I called Smithtown Highway Dept and Dept of Safety this morning and was told that plows were in Nesconset. Well, that was 4 hours ago, and I still have not seen or heard a plow..... This is ridiculous!
I was out plowing privately all night friday and saturday and saw many Smithtown Highway dump trucks stuck in the snow and getting pulled out by heavy equipment. We're dealing with good hearted town drivers, trying to do their best, working 48 to 72 hours straight, and a useless superintendent and supervisor.