Owego Highway Superintendent: ‘I will continue to make the roads safe’

Dear Editor,

I am writing in response to a segment aired on WBNG on Monday and Tuesday concerning the Town of Owego Highway Department storm response. After the snow Saturday night, the roads were checked Sunday morning. I made the decision not to call out anyone, as the roads were melting from the 65-degree weather on Saturday. 

Watching the forecasts and the road conditions throughout Sunday afternoon, there was no indication that the original forecasts of a dusting to 1-inch was going to turn into a full-fledged lake effect warning. Around 4 p.m. the warning was announced. The intensity of the storm following the warning, along with the high wind warning, made the idea of putting trucks out not a viable option. There would have been no discernible difference in road conditions, as the snow was accumulating at such a high rate. 

Taking into consideration the length of the warnings and the projected amounts, it would not have been prudent to start operations Sunday night. A couple of municipalities did, and after talking with them, their summation was zero return on safe road conditions, and a drain on the resources, both men and equipment.

With that said, coupled with personnel shortage (3), I made the decision to bring crews in at 2:30 Monday morning to fight the storm. Coming in at this early morning hour greatly assures the roads will be passable for the rush hour at each end of the day. We cannot fight a storm 24 hours. 

With over 200 miles of roads, I have to make a decision that will best suit the situation. As always, we respond to “emergencies” when contacted by authorities. This is a non-story being perpetuated by a disgruntled employee, social media, and a television station. 

In closing, my department has people dedicated to the traveling public’s safe passage during these types of events, and I am proud of their dedication. I stand by my decision and will continue to make the roads as safe as possible for the residents in the Town of Owego.

Respectfully, 

Mark Clark 

Town of Owego Highway Superintendent