By Michael O'Neill
This winter has felt familiar in a way many of us haven’t experienced in years.
For a long time, it seemed like the big snowstorms had become part of Long Island’s past — stories about winters when snowbanks lined the streets for weeks and storms arrived one after another. Our younger generation grew up believing those winters were exaggerated memories. But this year reminded us that those winters were very real.
Back then, several major snowstorms each season were simply expected. Snow wasn’t unusual; it was part of life.
Forecasts calling for a foot or more didn’t lead to widespread shutdowns. Instead, communities prepared, adapted and carried on.
I grew up in Amityville, and one memory stands out clearly: The schools were hardly ever closed. And it certainly wasn’t because the storms were smaller. The reason schools stayed open was simple: By the time the sun came up, our streets were already cleared.
While families were sleeping, the Department of Public Works was out doing the work that made everything else possible. Plows moved through neighborhoods in the early-morning darkness, and by the time school buses began their routes, roads were passable and safe.
As kids, we didn’t fully appreciate what went into that effort. We just knew that snow days were rare. Looking back now, it’s clear how much dedication and planning it took to make that happen — and how much pride our community took in staying open and functioning even during tough winters.
Snowstorms also meant opportunity. A heavy snowfall was a chance for kids and teenagers to earn a little money.
You’d grab a shovel, meet up with friends and head out into the neighborhood, knocking on doors. Driveways and sidewalks needed clearing, and everyone knew someone willing to pay a few dollars for help digging out.
Gloves got soaked, faces froze and backs ached before the day was done. But there was something rewarding about it. You learned responsibility, a work ethic and the value of helping neighbors. And hot chocolate tasted better after hours spent outside in the cold.
Those storms also brought people together. Neighbors checked in on one another. Residents helped elderly homeowners clear paths. Kids spent hours sledding, and for a short time, the pace of everyday life slowed just a little.
This winter brought many of those memories rushing back.
Seeing plows moving steadily through town, hearing residents share stories of digging out together felt like stepping back into a familiar chapter of our village’s history.
But while the memories may feel nostalgic, the work behind the scenes today is more demanding than ever.
Expectations are higher, traffic volumes greater and public safety requirements more complex. Clearing roads isn’t just about convenience — it’s about ensuring that emergency responders can reach residents, businesses can reopen and daily life can resume.
That responsibility falls squarely on the shoulders of our DPW. Throughout these storms, crews worked tirelessly, preparing equipment ahead of time, plowing through the overnight hours, salting and re-salting roadways, clearing municipal lots, and maintaining safe passage for emergency services. Their work continued long after the snow stopped falling, often in freezing temperatures and challenging conditions.
It isn’t easy work, and it isn’t done in the spotlight. Yet it’s essential to everything we rely on during and after a storm. And while the main roads may be cleared quickly, the work doesn’t end when the snow stops. Removal of snow piles and attention to problem areas takes time, patience and continued effort, but it’s a critical part of fully restoring normal conditions.
I also want to acknowledge the unwavering support of our volunteer Fire Department and Police Department, which stood ready throughout each storm to respond to emergencies. Their teamwork reflects the very best of what makes Amityville strong.
The same spirit that kept the village moving decades ago is alive and well today. On behalf of our residents, I want to express my sincere appreciation to the employees of the Department of Public Works. Their professionalism, dedication and long hours ensured that the village remained safe, accessible and prepared throughout this winter season.
For many residents, these storms brought back memories of winters past. The work of our DPW crews helped ensure that, as always, our community continued to move forward safely. And that is something worth remembering — in every season.
Michael O’Neill is the mayor of Amityville.
