Residents who suffered damage to their wheels driving over an exposed manhole in Midwood last fall when the Department of Transportation was doing roadwork recently received refunds from the city for repair costs.
Eleven drivers destroyed their tires or rims riding over the rough roadway on Ocean Avenue and Avenue L while the department was doing construction in the area last November. One of the drivers who blew two tires on a blustery day last fall said he was stuck out in the cold for hours while he waited for help.
“There I am, stuck in front of it because AAA can’t get me for hours and I, unfortunately, didn’t carry two spare tires,” said Glenn Wolin, who lives in Ditmas Park and received an $800 refund, which he said covered nearly all of the damages.
The comptroller’s office routinely settles claims from citizens who are injured or have property damaged because of the city’s neglect. In the last fiscal year, the city made payouts amounting to $200,000 for claims regarding vehicular damage from poor road conditions, according to the comptroller’s office.
“Sometimes it takes a bumpy road to show that government can be responsive to its constituents,” said Comptroller Scott Stringer at a press conference near the site on April 24. “Today is an example of how we can work together to produce results.”
The total paid out by the city for the Ocean Avenue damages was $5,000.
And even though the road to a refund may have been rough for residents, another elected official said he is pleased locals finally got the green light on their reimbursements.
“We can’t undo the past or make up for the hassle, but I’m proud to have worked with my colleagues to ensure reimbursement for many of the people who were subject to these out-of-pocket expenses,” said Councilman Chaim Deutsch (D–Sheepshead Bay).
Deutsch said local and state elected officials also worked together to ensure a refund for ten residents who were over 60 years old or under 18 years old whose tires were slashed in Sheepshead Bay and Midwood last December.
“Both of these success stories are indicative of what can be accomplished when city and state elected officials work together with our governmental agencies for the benefit of our constituencies,” said Deutsch.
To receive a refund, residents must file a claim within 90 days of the incident at comptroller.nyc.gov/forms-n-rfps/filing-claims.
