Harned Road On County Schedule To Be Repaved

Richard Kerr at intersection on Harned/Jericho/Indian Head and Sunken Meadow ParkwayA drive down Harned Road is never dull. Traffic, pot holes, pavement breaking off and then there’s the roller coaster like part of the roadway you experience as you head north nearing the busy Jericho, Harned, Indian Head Rd., Sunken Meadow Parkway  intersection. The road has been deteriorating for years, but that is coming to an end. According to Supervisor Vecchio Harned Road in Commack will be repaved in October.

It can’t happen soon enough for those who live near the road. Commack resident Richard Kerr has been advocating for the reconstruction/repaving of Harned Road. Mr. Kerr says he has sent emails to Town officials about the road. The message he received back was that the road was a Suffolk County roadway and that it was the responsibility of the county to make the repairs. 

It was Mr. Kerr’s understanding that Smithtown was in litigation with Suffolk County over the maintainence of Harned Rd.  “Not true”, said Supervisor Vecchio “There is no litigation over Harned Rd.  The Supervisor went on to say that there were discussions between Suffolk County and Smithtown over who would maintain the road after it was repaved by the county.

“Having the road fall apart while the town and county fight over who’s responsible is not the way government is supposed to operate.” said Mr. Kerr. There are many other residents who agree with Mr. Kerr. “We pay taxes, a lot of taxes and to allow the road to fall apart is a poor reflection on our leaders and their concern for the public” said one Commack resident who wished not to be identified.

Suffolk County Legislator Kennedy (13th LD) did not discuss with Smithtown Matters whether or not there is controversy about ownership of Harned Rd. She has confirmed with Suffolk County Department of Public Works Commissioner Gilbert Anderson that Harned Road will be repaved and that the work is scheduled for some time in October.

Mr. Kerr seemed satisfied with the news.