STORM & DRAG
First snowfall exposes some salt spreaders on fritz as city hit with light spritz
The first significant storm of the season brought a test for New York City’s snow equipment — and it failed, says the head of the city’s mechanics’ union.
At least seven of the 705 salt spreaders deployed for the storm, along with three mini spreaders and four other vehicles, broke down after hitting the road Sunday night when the city was hit with a wintry mix of snow and rain, according to 246 SEIU President Joseph Colangelo.
He called it an ominous sign for the city’s preparedness for the next big blizzard, as the bad weather continued into Tuesday morning. The city was expecting accumulations of 3 to 5 inches overnight, according to the National Weather Service.
“This is like a test case with a little bit of rain and snow,” Colangelo told the Daily News. “They broke down right away, and we were able to fix it. Come a major storm, we’re not going to be able to fix it.”
He blamed shoddy work by private garages and the shrinkage of the city’s ranks of unionized mechanics for the problems.
Recent years have seen the city outsource more and more mechanic work to private businesses. But they don’t know what they’re doing, says Colangelo.
Vehicles “go to a private shop; they have no idea how these vehicles work. They have no idea what to repair,” Colangelo fumed. “The first storm that goes out and what do you think happens? They break.”
That leaves Sanitation Department mechanics to clean up the mess, Colangelo said — while their numbers have been declining.
There are about 740 DSNY mechanics in the entire city government’s labor force, down from a recent peak of 813 in 2016, according to city payroll records.
DSNY has filled 27 mechanic vacancies since October, with 10 more hires to come.
“DSNY’s snow-fighting equipment was ready for today’s storm,” spokeswoman Dina Montes said in a Monday statement. “Our salt spreader fleet … has been out in full force since this morning treating city streets.
“We have
1,500 snowplows in position, ready to plow once 2
inches of snow accumulates on roadways. … We will keep working throughout the night to keep city streets clear of ice and snow.”
Still, Colangelo said mechanics throughout the city complained of equipment breakdowns.
He said of a mechanic at a Queens garage, “He’s got seven salt spreaders going around like a chicken without their head.”
Mechanics told Colangelo three mini salt spreaders that protect the sidewalks broke down in Manhattan, and four vehicles went out of commission on Staten Island.
In one instance, a salt spreader’s chain came off its sprocket “due to improper maintenance” performed by a private garage, Colangelo said.
A front tire on another vehicle came off “because the wheel lugs where not installed correctly. “When the tire came off the vehicle, it caused extensive damage that required the truck being sent to the [DSNY] borough repair facility,” Colangelo said.
“Trust me, there’s more problems out there,” he remarked, adding that DSNY won’t give him updates on mechanical problems.
“As they go out in the field, they’re going to start breaking, and I knew it,” he said.
Schools were open Monday, but after-school activities requiring yellow buses were canceled. Alternate-side parking is suspended for Tuesday.
The Metropolitan Transportation Authority saw its share of issues during the storm.
Trains on the A, C, E and F lines were running with delays during the evening rush due to a series of signal malfunctions. Signal issues also slowed down some trains on the M, R and Nos. 2 and 5 lines.
MTA spokesman Tim Minton said the issues could have been weather-related, but were cleared up quickly.
Elected officials on Monday urged New Yorkers to opt for public transportation instead of the city’s highways and byways.
“If you don’t need to take your car today, please don’t,” Mayor de Blasio pleaded in the morning.
A Queens commuter opted to do the opposite of Hizzoner’s advice, driving from his Kew Gardens job to his Rego Park home Monday night.
“It’s supposed to be a 15minute drive; it’ll probably be 45 minutes,” said Marcus Paulino, 32. “I brought the car [because] the trains are not reliable.”
The brunt of the storm hit upstate, with nearly 14 inches of snow falling on Albany and Gov. Cuomo saying he’d activate 300 members of the National Guard to assist in snow removal.