Sidewalks coming to Floyd elem schools

Some time ago, Assemb. Fred Thiele, who represents part of the William Floyd School District, asked its county representative, Legis. Rudy Sunderman, what projects were needed in the area. His answer? Sidewalks.

A constituent told Sunderman that sidewalks were needed around William Floyd Elementary School, a building nestled in a highly residential area, but with no walkable routes other than directly in front of the building.

“This is a true collaboration of government working together for the betterment of our community,” said Robert Vecchio, president of the William Floyd Board of Education. “With nearly 9,000 students, William Floyd is one of the largest school districts in Suffolk County. The investment to construct new sidewalks will be beneficial to our students, their families and all pedestrians within the community.”

Thiele secured $250,000 in state funds through the State and Municipal Facilities Program to support the project and the Brookhaven Highway Department will handle the construction. The sidewalks will begin at the entrance to the school on Lexington Road, and stretch around one side on Clyde Road around the athletic fields, and the other side on Fleet Road. Work is scheduled to begin this fall and completed by the winter, depending on the weather.

“This project is about all levels of government coming together to get a job done for the benefit of the community and the safety of our children,” Sunderman said. “Thank you to Assemb. Thiele, highway superintendent Losquadro, and the William Floyd School District for all coming together for this important project.”

“I was happy to work with town and county officials to provide $250,000 of state funding for the installation of sidewalks surrounding William Floyd and John S. Hobart elementary schools,” Thiele said. “This is an excellent community improvement project that will greatly benefit neighborhood residents and provide safety for our schoolchildren.”