Letters

Recently, the Southampton Town Board passed a resolution that added two hours to an already existing turn restriction at Diamond Court and Flying Point Road in Southampton. Councilwoman Cyndi McNamara was the only board member who did not support the change and subsequently requested a legal opinion from Town Attorney James Burke regarding the issue of Highway Department personnel staffing this location and preventing the operators of vehicles from violating posted turn restrictions. Town Attorney Burke found it improper for the Highway Department to participate in this action.

As a result of the recent judgment, the Highway Department will no longer post staff at the corner of Diamond Court and Flying Point Road in Southampton and also will remove staff from the four posts at the corner of Montauk Highway and Canoe Place Road in Hampton Bays. Of course, we will give our colleagues at the Police Department time to staff the posts vacated by Highway Department personnel.

The current administration of the Southampton Town Highway Department has gone to great lengths to find innovative ways to ease some of the town’s notorious traffic problems. Many of these actions have been outside of the traditional guidelines and responsibilities of the Town Highway Department. However, the current administration at the Highway Department has always understood the importance of lending a helping hand wherever possible and trying to think outside the box regarding traffic solutions.

Our intention has always been to improve the quality of life for those residents and workers traveling in the town. Our motivation was never personal gain nor pandering to any particular part of any specific constituency. We hope that our efforts have reassured you of our commitment to your safety and convenience.

On a personal note, I want to thank all the travelers for their smiles, waves and thumbs up as they passed us. I further wish to express my heartfelt gratitude to the many travelers who have, on numerous occasions, brought my staff coffee. Special thanks also go to residents who have bought our 60-member Highway Department lunch on more than one occasion as a show of appreciation for their efforts. All of your kind gestures have not gone unnoticed and are deeply appreciated.

Charlie McArdle

Superintendent

Southampton Town Highway Department