Brookhaven Beefs Up Snow Removal Capabilities In Aftermath Of Last Year's Blizzard Response

BROOKHAVEN, N.Y. (CBSNewYork) - The Town of Brookhaven has upgraded its snow preparations in response to last winter's snow plowing disaster that left thousands of residents stranded.

As WCBS 880 Long Island Bureau Chief Mike Xirinachs reported, Brookhaven's new highways superintendent said the addition of new trucks and communications equipment has prepared the town for winter like never before.

"Twelve new six-wheel heavy dump trucks. And we also did bring on four new Ford pickups as well, for a total of 16 new trucks," Dan Losquadro told Xirinachs.

He said the new trucks along with a new computerized communications system should prevent the kind of snow plowing disaster that occurred last winter.

"It's going to really streamline things and I think that, coupled with our new equipment will really give us the ability to attack any natural disaster, not just snow," Losquadro told Xirinachs. "Along with the new vehicles that I have brought into the fleet, again, will give us a substantial increase to our capabilities."

Following the February blizzard that dumped 30 inches of snow across parts of Suffolk County, it took days for plows to clear off several miles of road.

Brookhaven's Town Supervisor Edward Romaine was away in Jamaica and acting Superintendent of Highways Michael Murphy was out sick during the blizzard. Murphy resigned amid criticism over how the storm was handled. He called in sick and missed four days of work because he said he had a root canal and a family emergency.

Losquadro was elected Highways Superintendent in March.

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