Letter Editor: Find out the plans for your streets

According to his proposed agreement to spend, Mike Roberts, Town of Owego Superintendent of Highways, is planning “paving projects” in Crestview Heights this summer. A word of caution to the residents: paving projects might mean a surface application rather than actually paving the streets. If your street is on that list, it is in your best interest to find out exactly what is planned. The list does not indicate which process is being used on what street.

One of the resurfacing processes is listed as Fiber Matt. In 2022 this process was applied to 13 Tioga Terrace streets and another two streets just outside of the terrace. All were designated as “paving projects.” Imagine the shock when our residential streets were covered with stones and then a fiberglass-type paint was applied on top of the stones and broken pavement. No potholes were filled in before the application. We were left with massive amounts of loose stones and still had potholes. Stones then started washing off the streets into driveways and lawns, sometimes causing car problems. The streets were no longer fit to push a baby carriage on or for kids to bike on. The process did not work for cul-de-sacs because the equipment could only go in a straight line. So the semi-circle at the ends of the street was not touched.

Of course, there were many complaints. Several residents complained of being treated rudely, being lied to, and finally being ignored. One resident took a survey asking if fellow residents were happy with what was done. At the time, 127 residents replied. The response was 124 no, three yes votes. Mike Roberts and his wife were two of the three yes votes.

The streets receiving that process had an estimated cost to the town of $205,658.72.

After attending town board meetings and hearing the complaints of the residents about those streets for almost two years, last fall, Highway Super Mike Roberts announced that six of those streets were going to be reworked. What that amounted to was having Vestal Asphalt apply a slurry-type resurfacing material on top of the matt. The loose stones were not cleaned off, and no potholes were filled. The residents felt blindsided again. The actual implementation of the work was described as chaotic. Many residents said they were not contacted so they could move their vehicles. 

Also, the work was done during school transportation times, and several residents felt there was not sufficient traffic control. According to residents who attended the town hall meetings, the results were less than adequate. The cost for reworking those streets was $129,949.02.

After attending board meetings for several years now, I can honestly say that many town officials have the best interest of the residents they work for in mind. I have always found that the highway workers work hard and want to do a good job.

I encourage residents to attend board meetings to find out how the town works and how your money is spent.

Rose Howard

Tioga Terrace Resident