Why does the Town of Huntington not use salt on roads?

It's ridiculous and dangerous. They only use sand, which does nothing. I understand the environmental implications of salting the roads, but why do so many other towns have completely clear streets? We were in the Town of Smithtown and every road we were on was clear to the blacktop. They obviously don't use just sand.

I don't know how the county roads work, but I know state roads are not covered by the towns.

Re: Why does the Town of Huntington not use salt on roads?

This has always been such an issue. I used to live on the Huntington/Smithtown border. Smithtown roads were clear and awesome. Huntington roads were horrible. Smithtown schools were closed, Npt/E.Npt schools were open. Stupid.

Re: Why does the Town of Huntington not use salt on roads?

It's probably an environmental thing. Salt (which is really chemicals and not true salr) runs off into the storm drains, and then leeches into the harbors. It creates an imbalance in the water and leads to sea life death. Sand is more natural and does nothing to the harbors when it ends up there.

Re: Why does the Town of Huntington not use salt on roads?

this is so funny that you posted this....b/c just yesterday I was trying to call the town highway department (phone was off the hook!!) to call and complain about what a horrible, horrible job they did. We live on a very steep hilly road and people could not get up it yesterday, it would take them like a half hour.

I use to live in Kings Park and last night we went out that way and it's like night and day when you cross over into the town of smithtown.

I hate being terrified to drive up to my house.


(they didn't even plow to the edge of our road....there is still about 2feet to the curb that was never cleared)

Message edited 12/21/2008 10:09:46 AM.

Re: Why does the Town of Huntington not use salt on roads?

I'm Upstate, so I don't know the geography of the town you mentioned, but it could be an environmental issue like a previous poster said. If the town is surrounded by protected water bodies or wetlands they may be regulated by DEC or ACOE regarding run-off and be forced to use sand instead.

The other reason to use sand is temperature, salt only works to a certain temp, if it is too cold the towns will use sand for traction. Although this does not seem to be the case for what you were talking about since the neighboring towns had used salt.

Re: Why does the Town of Huntington not use salt on roads?

Well a lot of the Town of Smithtown borders the same body of water on the north, so I doubt one town would have completely different regulations considering how close they are to each other.

Devon: I'm sure everyone was trying to get through. I've emailed them before and they took care of the problem, but this one is obviously more urgent. Have you tried again?

Re: Why does the Town of Huntington not use salt on roads?

The Town of North Hempstead uses blue spray. I don't know what's in it but I doubt it is any better for the environment than salt.

Re: Why does the Town of Huntington not use salt on roads?

According to the town website, they have a separate salt storage facility, along with 4 sand & salt storage facilities.

I would imagine they limit salt use because of environmental concerns and because it also damages the roadways. It's not good for our vehicles either.

Re: Why does the Town of Huntington not use salt on roads?

My DH and I just moved to the Town of Huntington this summer so this is our first winter here. I grew up in the Town of Hempstead and he grew up in the Town of Smithtown....we were both like, what is UP with the roads here? they're terrible!!!!

Re: Why does the Town of Huntington not use salt on roads?

Re: Why does the Town of Huntington not use salt on roads?

Well at least they use something. I live in Brookhaven and where I live nothing was done to the roads. No salt, no sand and horrible plowing.

Sand is probably less expensive than salt.

Re: Why does the Town of Huntington not use salt on roads?

Ha, easier said than done. He ran unopposed last time.

Thanks for your explanation though, it does make a lot of sense.

Re: Why does the Town of Huntington not use salt on roads?

They don't even plow our old street!!! It's absolutely horrible,even 3? ? days after the storm, the places in shade are still icy and have huge patches of snow. Our new street was at least plowed a few rimes.