After Continued Lobbying, Holbrook Street To Receive Sidewalk

After a two-year campaign from an area resident, a strip of Broadway Avenue in Holbrook often used by students attending Merrimac Elementary School is finally getting a sidewalk installed.

The process to install the sidewalk begins with an engineering survey before final construction. Beth Santagata, who lives on Broadway with three children, spearheaded the initiative after she noticed the lack of sidewalk on the east side of the road, forcing her to cross the street in a 30mph zone. Santagata feared the worst for the safety of the neighborhood children and began a letter-writing campaign.

On Wednesday, Santagata received an email from Islip Town Engineer David Janover.

"The Town met with the contractor last week at the site, and once the survey work is completed, the project will begin," the email stated. "You should anticipate receiving letters to the affected neighbors within the next week or two."

According to Santagata, Sachem Superintendent James Nolan, and Merrimac Elementary School Principal Veronica DeCicco were also instrumental in getting the sidewalk installed. Patch will have more when the town breaks ground on the project.