STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — As the Department of Sanitation works to melt down the snow amassed throughout the boroughs, one Staten Island resident feels as if she’s been left out in the cold and stuck inside as an oddly-shaped snow mound has blocked the driveway of her New Springville home.
Ilene Shiffman, 82, of Windham Loop discovered the U-shaped wall of snow behind her townhouse driveway after being sick for five days, leaving her with no way to pull out her car.
“I can’t get it out,” Shiffman said. Shiffman only discovered the frozen obstruction when she stepped outside. She was attempting to remotely start her vehicle to ensure it would run after several days of not being used.
Shiffman says the mound was plowed into place, and believes none of her neighbors are facing similar obstacles. When her grandchildren stopped by with groceries, they confirmed she was the only one dealing with the unusual blockage.
“Nobody else has that,” Shiffman said. Her grandchildren had planned to shovel her driveway, but realized the pile was too large for manual removal.
Shiffman said she attempted to contact the Department of Sanitation but has been unable to reach anyone. She believes it’s “ridiculous” to have to hire someone to remove the snow, but it’s something she said she’ll likely look into Monday.
After looking at the photo provided by Shiffman, a spokesperson for the DSNY said the mound appears as if it was put there by another resident working to shovel out their own vehicle, but that the Department “will work on getting a team over there to assist.”
Sanitation also said Sunday a massive effort is underway to clear snow and ice from the borough.
“There is a lot of snow out there due to prolonged freezing temperatures, but we have a major snow hauling and melting operation underway,” the spokesperson said.
Meanwhile, Shiffman, a lifelong Staten Islander said the situation doesn’t surprise her. “I’ve been on Staten Island my entire life, and I’m in my 80s, so nothing shocks me,” she said.