By:Brian Zanzonico and Jason Scheer
Snow accumulations were reported between eight inches and over a foot in the area, prompting the town to employ 250 plows and sanders and spread 42 tons of salt. Town Supervisor Kate Murray ordered town roads to be sanded at 9 a.m. Saturday, hours before the first snowflake fell, and declared a state of emergency at around 1:30 p.m.
In Malverne, officials prepped for the storm by meeting last Friday to determine a course of action. By Saturday morning, Mayor Anthony Panzarella had declared a state of emergency and ordered residents to take their cars off the streets. Malverne police officers also went door to door, reminding residents to keep their cars off the road, Deputy Mayor James Callahan said. "That helps us to be able to plow," he said. "Cars on the streets is a big problem."
Workers began salting and sanding the streets at 2 p.m. on Saturday, and plowing began at around 4 p.m. Callahan said that Malverne residents were well informed, thanks to the local cable station and radio station 1620 AM, which broadcast traffic and weather updates for Malverne, Lynbrook and East Rockaway. Most chose to stay off the roads.
Malverne Police Chief Glen Jacobsen reported no traffic accidents during the storm, though a 78-year-old Malverne woman was killed walking across the tracks at the Hempstead Avenue Long Island Rail Road crossing.
Snow much fun
While crews spent the better part of two days clearing roads, shop owners along Hempstead Avenue in both Malverne and West Hempstead closed early Saturday, with some remaining closed on Sunday. This gave local residents two options: stay home or go sledding. Many chose the latter.
Lines formed at Hall's Pond Park in West Hempstead and Malverne High School, as children clutched sleds while waiting their turns at the top of the snow-covered hills. At Hall's Pond, sledders rode a smooth path down a hill on the Nassau Boulevard side of the park, which was ideal for small children.
Parts of the Malverne High School hills, however, were for advanced sliders only. They fashioned jumps from the fresh snow at the bottom of the hill on the Ocean Avenue side of the school on Sunday. "This is the best type of snow to sled on. It's fast," said one teen.
In West Hempstead, two men on ATVs cruised the slick streets on the way to a friend's house. "What a way to travel," said one. "I just bought this last summer, and I'm glad I can finally use it."
Snow much work
For every child with a sled, there was an adult with a shovel. While some took the storm in stride - "We're New Yorkers - what do you expect?" one West Hempstead woman said - others had already seen enough of winter this year.
A Lakeview man had to clear the sidewalk of his Woodfield Road home several times because of a newly designated bus stop in front. He didn't mind clearing a walkway; he just didn't like the fact that he could be ticketed if the snow wasn't removed in time. "At least they could give me a tax break," he joked.
Snow school
Despite Regents exams and quiet but cold weather for more than 24 hours after the last snowfall, most Long Island school districts - including Malverne and West Hempstead - were closed on Monday. Officials from neither district could be reached for comment.
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