Streetlight downed by Sandy to be replaced

A streetlight that Community Watchdog helped get installed four years ago disappeared. And when it did, a stretch of Straight Path in Dix Hills was left in the dark.

Sal Centonze of Dix Hills, who in 2009 brought the need for light on that road to our attention, contacted us again in September to report the streetlight was gone. He said he had notified the town several times in the past six months.

Huntington reported the light was a victim of superstorm Sandy and should be replaced by year's end. More than 500 town streetlights were damaged during the storm, town spokesman A.J. Carter said in an email.

"All but five or six street-lights damaged by Sandy have been repaired," he said.

Four years ago, Centonze was concerned about the darkness on Straight Path between Deer Park and Illinois avenues after five streetlights were removed during a Suffolk County Department of Public Works reconstruction project that included paving and the installation of new sidewalks and drainage. Centonze described the area as a "black hole."

The town's Streetlighting Division decided not to reinstall the five lights to save money, citing the absence of homes on the roughly 500-foot stretch of road, and received no complaints. After our inquiry the town reinstalled one, which last year wound up a victim of Sandy.

Long Island towns are responsible for streetlights on all roads including county roads, Suffolk and Nassau County officials said. Huntington residents with lighting concerns can call 631-351-3259.