Ketcham converses on paving, snow costs, town success stories


Billed as “an informal conversation with the powers that be,” the League of Women Voters held their second in a series called “Civic Conversations,” this one with Highway Superintendent Mark Ketcham on Saturday, March 12 at the Shelter Island Library.


Linda Holmes served as moderator and the conversation about the Highway Department and the Department of Public Works was as wide-ranging as the subject matter. “We are the most diverse department in the town — from changing lightbulbs at Town Hall to building roads on Shelter Island,” Mr. Ketcham said.


He reviewed recent town success stories — the raising of First Causeway, the restoration of Shell Beach — and those in progress. Removal of the foundations of the old Highway Barn on Route 114 uncovered 60 boulders that can be used to bolster the Second Causeway or the Taylor’s Island shoreline. The relocated fuel depot is “up and running” and programmed to dispense and monitor fuel use by 45 vehicles. The old Highway Barn site will be “left for future municipal use” after the last fuel oil tank is removed, Mr. Ketcham said.


A stormy winter has taken its toll on town roads and the usual resurfacing funds from the state may be cut severely, he said. “It’s going to be a trying year. Three roads were originally due for resurfacing and winter road damage has added three more to that list. “Paving is going to be tough this year,” Mr. Ketcham said, adding that main thoroughfares will be the top priority.


The winter weather also took its toll on the Highway Department budget. Of the $35,000 allotted for snow removal, all but $6,000 has been spent, he said.


Efforts to find cost savings in intermunicipal sharing of equipment and marketing of recyclables are ongoing, Mr. Ketcham said.


Asked what he thought was the Island’s greatest environmental concern, he answered, “Keeping our waterways clean.” The fact that Island kids will pick up a scallop shell at the beach and ask, “What is that?” is a shame, he said. “We used to see them in our sleep,” there were so many, he added.


Runoff mitigation is one solution to that problem and implementation of MS4 — the federally required Municipal Separate Storm Sewer Systems program — will help, he said.


The League of Women Voters will host its third annual State of the Town event with Supervisor Jim Dougherty on April 25.