Islip Notebook: Town Cited For Efforts To Improve Workforce Efficiency

Islip Town has been recognized by a national organization for its efforts to improve efficiency of its workforce while working to maintain services to residents and employees.

Risk & Reward Insurance Magazine awarded Islip with its Theodore Roosevelt National Workers Compensation and Disability Management Award. According to Islip officials, the Town has saved $6.5 million in workers compensation costs as the result of several measures it has implemented coupled with a partnership with Brady Risk Management.

“This is the first time that a municipality has won this award, and that speaks volumes to the efforts we have made to reform and streamline the Town’s workforce,” said Supervisor Phil Nolan.

Beginning in 2007, the town through the efforts of Robert Finnegan, Director of Labor Relations, began implementing a series of programs to improve worker safety and productivity.

According to Town officials, there were 353 claims for workers compensation in 2007.  By 2010, that number had fallen to 107, a reduction of 88%. It is estimated that these new programs have also saved the Town $600,000 on indemnity payments alone during that same time period. There was also a 63% reduction in lost workdays and a 37% reduction in the use of sick days.    

“The sheer number of injuries, coupled with rising medical costs, threatened to overwhelm the Town’s workers compensation program,” says Robert Finnegan. “We had to act quickly and responsibly to keep that from happening.” 

Annual Apple Festival

Islip Town’s annual Apple Festival will return to Islip Grange in Sayville on Saturday, October 15. The event, held at Broadway Avenue and Montauk Highway, will run from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Admission to the event is free, as is entry into the scarecrow contest and the apple goods culinary competition. Scarecrows and apple goods aren’t the only attractions, however. Many craft vendors from several states will be on hand displaying and selling woodcrafts, floral crafts, needlework, and culinary items, as well as holiday crafts.

Entertainment, including the band Southbound, quilt, yarn and woodcarving demonstrations, and pony rides will take place throughout the day, and the picnic area will be open to all.