COMMUNITY WATCHDOG: Who's responsible for curb problems

After the record snowfalls last winter, the Community Watchdog team heard from readers who said their curbs had been damaged by town plows or were worn from age and need to be replaced.

Here are curb problems from two of the largest towns and a guide to replacement policies for the Island's other towns and its two counties.

TOWN OF HEMPSTEADMy neighbors and I strive to keep up with our houses and properties, but the curbs bring their appearance down. I feel they've deteriorated due to excessive road salt used by the town in winter. My neighbors believe it's from snowplows hitting the curbs. The town says curb repairs are the homeowner's responsibility. Why?

- Debra Parisi, Westbury

Our call prompted the town's Highway Department to send an inspector to see the curbs, who concluded that Parisi's are in a "natural state of deterioration and aging," town spokesman Michael Deery said.

Curb replacement is the homeowner's responsibility unless the damage is caused by the town or there is a major road project where everything is being redone. The inspector looks for signs that indicate plow damage such as gauged or scarred concrete, Deery said.

To replace curbs and sidewalks, Hempstead residents can hire a contractor or have the town do it. If they choose the latter, curbs cost about $30 per foot and sidewalk panels (called flags) are $180 each. Costs are charged to the homeowner's property taxes over five years.

Call the Highway Department at 516-489-5000.

- Michael R. EbertTOWN OF BROOKHAVENWe live on a busy corner in Centereach. We called the town about three years ago and explained that our curb was in need of repair due to cars cutting the corner too closely. In May 2007, they sent someone to take pictures, and we were told we would be put on a repair list. It's now 2010 and the curb that needed a simple repair is now nonexistent.

-Dennis Faicco, Centereach

After our call, the town's Highway Department sent a crew to replace Faicco's crumbling curb with a "temporary asphalt curb."

When a complaint is made, the town sends an engineer to inspect the curb and will fix it if it's in "dangerous condition," Deputy Highway Superintendent John Byrne said. He visited the location and said the curb was "unsightly," but not dangerous.

The town uses asphalt instead of concrete to make repairs. "The reason we can't bring in concrete is because it rips up the road," Byrne said, so the town waits until a road is fully repaved to reinstall concrete curbs.

Once a location is added to the town's long list for curb replacement, the goal is to make the repair within two years, he said.

Homeowners who don't want to wait for the town to repair a curb can hire a contractor after obtaining a highway work permit.

Call the town's Highway Department at 631-451-9200 or e-mail highway@brookhaven.org.

- Michael R. EbertTOWN OF BABYLONProperty owners are responsible for curb replacement. If you think the town has caused the damage, call the Highway Department, and photos will be taken to make a determination. "Generally, plow damage is obvious," town spokesman Tim Ruggeri said.

The town only repairs sidewalks damaged by town trees. Call 311 to make a complaint.

TOWN OF EAST HAMPTONThe town will replace curbs if damage is caused by age or by the town. "If damage is reported, an on-site inspection would be warranted," Highway Superintendent Scott King said. The town also does sidewalk repairs unless the damage is caused by the homeowner. Call 631-324-0925.

TOWN OF HUNTINGTONThe town repairs and replaces curbs and sidewalks on all roads within its borders except those on commercial property, Highway Superintendent William Naughton said. Call 631-499-0444.

TOWN OF ISLIPHomeowners are responsible for curb and sidewalk replacement. Exceptions are made for damage caused by a tree planted by the town in the right-of-way by the curb, town installation of road drains, or town plowing. If you believe the town caused the problem, a foreman is sent "to determine the validity of the claim," said Bill Stenger, facilities manager for the town's Public Works Department. Call 631-224-5610.

TOWN OF NORTH HEMPSTEAD

The town replaces curbs and sidewalks on all town roads unless an inspector determines that damage was caused by the homeowner, town spokesman Collin Nash said. Call 311.

TOWN OF OYSTER BAYThe town does curb replacements. An inspector assesses the damage and places the curb on a repair list unless it requires immediate attention. Timing is unpredictable. "When our crews are again in that community doing work, the curb would be fixed," spokeswoman Marta Kane said.

Homeowners are responsible for sidewalks and can contract through the town for $100 per sidewalk panel. Call 516-677-5757.

TOWN OF RIVERHEADCurbs and sidewalks are the homeowner's responsibility unless the damage is caused by the town. If damage is reported and an inspector determines the town is at fault, the location is added to a repair list, said Highway Superintendent George Woodson. Call 631-727-5670.

TOWN OF SHELTER ISLAND

The town Highway Department handles all curb and sidewalk replacement. Call 631-749-1090.

TOWN OF SMITHTOWNThe town Highway Department handles curb repairs. Sidewalks are replaced by the Parks Department. The town inspects the damage and evaluates the condition for priority. Repairs can take up to two years, Highway Superintendent Glenn Jorgensen said. Call 631-360-7500.

TOWN OF SOUTHOLDThe town replaces curbs and sidewalks for "normal wear and tear," Highway Superintendent Peter Harris said. The town will not repair damage caused by a homeowner. Call 631-765-3140.

TOWN OF SOUTHAMPTONDid not respond to repeated calls and e-mails seeking information. Call the town's Highway Department at 631-728-3600.

NASSAU COUNTYHomeowners are responsible for curbs and sidewalks, including those abutting backyards, unless a county inspector says the damage is county-related, spokesman Michael Martino said. If residents don't make repairs after being contacted by the county, the county does the work and bills the homeowner at $30 per foot of curb and $150 per sidewalk flag (panel), plus labor costs. Call 516-571-9600.

SUFFOLK COUNTYThe county repairs curbs and sidewalks on its roads unless the homeowner causes the damage, Suffolk County Chief Engineer Bill Hillman said. Send complaints in writing to Bill Hillman, c/o Suffolk County Department of Public Works, 335 Yaphank Ave., NY 11980.