After being appointed during the Jan. 3 Organizational Town Board Meeting and taking his Oath of Office, Islip Town councilman Michael McElwee has been officially welcomed to the town board.

A lifelong resident of Islip Town, councilman McElwee grew up in Holbrook and has lived in West Islip with his wife, Mary Ellen, for the past 24 years. A small-business owner, McElwee owns both the Penny Pub and Goody Two Shoes in downtown Bay Shore. He also owns Sayville Bait & Tackle in Sayville. McElwee has played a role in the revitalization of downtown Bay Shore, as he has owned businesses in the area since 2003, and is one of the founding members of the Bay Shore Restaurant Committee, which was created in 2017 to promote Bay Shore’s restaurant industry. He has also sat on the board of the Chamber of Commerce of Greater Bay Shore and the board of the Bay Shore Business Improvement District.

McElwee began his government career as a community liaison for New York State Sen. Phil Boyle from 2019 through 2022. He has also worked as a part-time community liaison for New York State assemblyman Jarett Gandalfo for the 7th Assembly District, which covers a large portion of the Town of Islip’s Council District 3.

Through his years of experience in both hospitality and government, McElwee hopes to offer a unique perspective to the town board.

“I have been a resident and a business owner in Council District 3 for 20 years. I have been involved in the community for the past 20 years, so I felt it was my next step and next chapter in life to give back and help people,” explained McElwee. “Dealing with the town for the past 20 years, I kind of have an idea of some of the frustrations that people have when dealing with the town, and I am hoping that I can make a difference.”

McElwee now has the opportunity to make a difference, following his election victory on Nov. 7. During an Organizational Town Board Meeting on Jan. 3, McElwee was officially appointed to the position of town councilman. He also had the honor of being appointed to multiple boards, and he is now an official member of the Town of Islip’s Industrial Development Agency Board, Economic Development Corporation Board, and Foreign Trade Zone Board.

McElwee was further recognized at the Town of Islip 2024 swearing-in ceremony, which was held at Touro School of Law on Thursday, Jan. 4, at 3 p.m. The ceremony was emceed by New York State comptroller Thomas DiNapoli, and remarks were given by U.S. Senate majority leader Chuck Schumer, U.S. congressman Andrew Garbarino, and Suffolk County executive Ed Romaine. Town officials were honored as they took their oaths of office, as attendees witnessed the swearing-in of town councilmen John M. Lorenzo and Michael J. McElwee, receiver of taxes Andy Wittman and town clerk Linda D. Vavricka. Islip supervisor Angie Carpenter, who has fulfilled the role of supervisor since 2015, was sworn in to her last term. Mary Ellen McElwee, McElwee’s wife, proudly administered the oath of office to her husband.

The event was truly a celebration, complete with spectacular musical performances from Central Islip High School choir. As the event came to a close, McElwee, town officials, and audience attendees alike were optimistic about what the town will accomplish this year.

“Today, as we welcome new members of our board, it reaffirms my faith that we are on the right course, and that we have so many good days ahead,” said supervisor Carpenter.