Islip Town board weighs contractor for roads, parks study

Islip Town Supervisor Phil Nolan is assembling a citizens advisory committee to evaluate the state of the town's roads, docks and parks and recommend projects to be funded by an infrastructure bond being considered by the town.

The town board last night was scheduled to vote on a resolution to hire an engineering consulting firm to conduct an analysis of the town's transportation and recreation infrastructure, and Nolan this week is expected to announce the names of the committee members, who will include Michael LoGrande, former chairman of the Suffolk County Water Authority and former Islip Town Supervisor.

The board was expected to approve the one-year $25,000 consulting contract with Mineola-based Bowne Management Systems, which calls for "an in-depth site review of town roadways and recreational facilities."

A comprehensive assessment of town facilities "hasn't been done in, maybe, forever," Nolan said Tuesday. "We've got to get a snapshot of where the town is. Whatever capital projects we do are dealing with roads and docks that are in unquestioned need of repair."

Nolan said the committee will be co-chaired by Nancy Manfredonia, executive director of the nonprofit Central Islip Civic Council, and Gerard Pallotta, former director of business development for the Long Island Power Authority. "I think it's overdue and I'm glad to help," Manfredonia said. "The town owns a lot. We will be going over every hamlet."

The town maintains 1,500 miles of roadway and the parks, according to the resolution voted on last night.

Nolan declined to comment on a potential bond issue, saying he would wait to hear the committee's recommendations.