Babylon youth centers looked over for damage

The Town of Babylon has hired an engineering firm to examine two youth centers for possible structural damage caused by recent heavy snow storms.

The town last week approved a consulting contract with Sidney B. Bowne & Son LLP of Mineola for an amount “not to exceed” $5,000. According to the town, the company will determine “roof loads” for the town’s youth centers in West Babylon and North Babylon.

Town spokesman Kevin Bonner said an employee at one of the youth centers told town officials that he had noticed a large pile of snow on the ground that had fallen off the roof. Bonner said officials became concerned that snow accumulation from recent storms might be causing damage to the roofs.

There were no previous problems with the roofing, Bonner said. The North Babylon youth center was built in 2003; the West Babylon youth center was built in 2006.

Bonner said the town is also considering installing snow guards on the roofs, which would prevent piled snow from sliding off all at once and possibly injuring someone on the ground.