Islip Town OKs $1.77M contract for beach repairs
John Cochrane, a Republican, is an Islip Town councilman. (June 21, 2011) Credit: David Pokress
The Islip Town Board has approved in a 4-1 vote a $1.77 million contract with Holtsville-based Bensin Contracting to repair Islip Beach, which was heavily damaged during superstorm Sandy.
The repairs, approved Tuesday, include a new concession stand, bathrooms and a boardwalk.
Councilman John C. Cochrane Jr. cast the lone no vote because, he said, the project is “too expensive,” and the town should wait to permanently rebuild until it explores possible future impacts from the Fire Island Inlet breach.
He said town officials “put out a Taj Mahal-type design. In this day and age there’s other options. They could use trailers. I just think we’re moving too quickly on this.”
Joseph Montuori, commissioner of town Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs, said the new building will be placed on pilings and will be about 4 feet off the ground and 25 feet back from its current location, per federal regulations.
Montuori said the town would receive most of the funding back from the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
“It’s going to be a nice building,” Montuori said. “It’s going to fit in with the beach.”
Construction is expected to start as soon as possible, with an opening targeted for July Fourth weekend.
