New road grading system introduced in Clarkstown as political tensions surface
The new scoring system will rate all town-owned roads, while town leaders and the highway superintendent dispute claims about how paving projects were selected in the past.
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Clarkstown officials unveiled a new road rating system in New City. They say that all of the almost 293 miles of town-owned roads will now receive a score ranging from zero to 100.
Town officials said the scores will be posted online. They hope the scores will help the Highway Department to prioritize road repairs and paving projects throughout the town.
The website was said to be functioning within four weeks.
According to a public town board meeting document from March, the board approved an agreement with Pavement Management Group for work not to exceed $85,200 for two years of services.
However, the announcement also became a platform for criticism of past paving practices.
Clarkstown Supervisor George Hoehmann claimed there had not been a structured system in place previously and alleged that some past decisions by the Highway Department were influenced by what they described as "paving patronage."
Hoehmann cited an example during the announcement.
"A prior town council person called last year and they actually had a road elevated and it wasn't on the original paving list at the start of the year, and it ended up getting paved last year," Hoehmann said.
Bob Milone, the town's current superintendent of highways, was not invited to the announcement.
In a statement to News 12, Milone disputed the allegations.
"Clarkstown residents are smart. They’re tired of being abused, and they see right through this corruption and silly political games," Milone wrote.
