Politics & Government

Bayport Civic Leader Named to Islip Town Citizens' Steering Committee

Bob Draffin was chosen to sit on Islip Towns' recently formed citizen-run Steering Committee that will take an in-depth look at town insfrastructure.

Lifelong Bayport resident Bob Draffin is one of the nearly 20 community leaders tapped by Islip Town Supervisor Phil Nolan to serve on the recently created Islip Town Citizens' Steering Committee.

This committee was formed to help drive a town project titled Islip 2010, which focuses on developing a manageable multi-year capital improvement program to guide town lawmakers in prioritizing the needed improvements to Islip's infrastructure. 

The committee is charged with conducting a comprehensive review of town-owned infrastructure, including parks, roads and municipal facilities.

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Co-chaired by businessman Gerry Pallotta of West Islip and community activist Nancy Manfredonia of Central Islip, the committee will work with the town Departments of Parks, Planning and Public Works to evaluate the physical condition of Islip's 104 parks, 1,500 miles of streets and other town-owned infrastructure. Former Town Supervisor Michael LoGrande will serve ex officio on the committee, as well.

With more than 25 years in county management, Draffin currently works in the Suffolk County Sheriff's Office and sits on a variety of civic-related task forces. Draffin worked in the Suffolk County's Labor Relations office during LoGrande's time as County Executive and said he is looking forward to working with LoGrande again.

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In addition to his post as President of the Bayport Civic Association, Draffin coaches Bayport-Blue Point Little League, an organization for which he also serves as a board member. 

Being involved in all these endeavors has allowed Draffin to "really keep in tune with what's needed and what people (in the community) really want," he said.

The committee's kickoff meeting was July 27.

Doing more with less is an idea Islip tried to take advantage of in recent times, said Nolan. Draffin thinks the committee will manage to reach an agreement on where town funds should go in terms of this project.

"Everybody recognizes we're in tough economic times, but the hope is we can wisely apply whatever funds are available where they're needed," Draffin said, "We will review and come to some type of consensus where we should steer the funds we do have."

The idea for the Islip 2010 project has been in the works since wintertime. After reviewing the town's goals for the upcoming year in late 2009, it was decided that the town would take a total look at parks, roads, buildings, etc., to determine the condition of each town entity.

"We want the committee to take a look at town infrastructure as it stands today," Nolan said.

The committee will meet for the next six weeks or more, "taking a snapshot" of the town infrastructure, and exploring the measures that may need to be taken to maintain and/or improve the town-owned properties.

Town Planning Department Commissioner Gene Murphy, Parks Commissioner Greg Dawson and Public Works Commissioner Rich Baker will work with the committee as well. Murphy tapped outside consultant Tom Melito to coordinate the committee with the appropriate departments.

Town parks provided the committee with materials to help get them started at the kickoff meeting. Nolan said this project is a large undertaking, but the town is lucky to be home to so many residents who are active in their communities. 

"I'm really very thrilled that we've been able to involve such a superb group of citizens on this task, it speaks volumes about the peoples commitment to the community," he said.


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