Who plows what in winter

Which agency plows your street depends on who owns it. State routes belong to the New York State Department of Transportation, county roads to Suffolk County Public Works, town roads to the town highway department, and village streets and private roads to someone else. If you rent, ask the owner who plows the road and the driveway before the first storm. This page is about the first question. The storm and power guide covers the other half of a bad night.

State routes

The Department of Transportation says its goal is to keep state highways passable and safe within the limits of weather, equipment and personnel, and that it contracts with local municipalities for snow and ice control on parts of the state highway system. The department’s responsibility is set in the Highway Law, which says maintaining state highways includes controlling snow and ice. On the East End, Montauk Highway (Route 27) is a state route; a plow on it may belong to the state or to a contracted town.

County roads

The Suffolk County Code makes it the duty of the county Department of Public Works to remove snow as rapidly as possible from the highways, roads, streets and bridges under the county’s jurisdiction. The department’s highway maintenance division lists snow removal among its duties on county roads.

Town roads

• Southampton Town: the Highway Department maintains more than 450 miles of road from Eastport to Sagaponack. Snow plowing, sanding and de-icing is on its list. The phone is 631-728-3600.
• East Hampton Town: the Highway Department hires seasonal, on-call plow drivers for snow removal on all town roads. Its forms page lists “Frequently Asked Questions Regarding Snow Removal.”
• Shelter Island: ask Town Hall at 631-749-1090 who plows your road.

Villages and private roads

Incorporated villages run their own streets in some cases; ask the village clerk. Private roads and driveways are plowed, if at all, by the owners or an association. A lease should say who arranges and pays for driveway plowing. See lease basics for what a lease should cover.

What to do before the first storm

1. Find out who owns your road. The town highway department can tell you.
2. Put the number for the right agency in your phone.
3. Check what your lease says about driveways and walks.
4. Read the first winter checklist.

February is the snowiest month on the Bridgehampton normals; see the February almanac.