SHOREHAM — CSEA Town of Brookhaven Highway Department Unit members recently helped preserve local history and saved the town money by doing the work in-house.
The Town of Brookhaven’s Carpentry and Sign Shops recently came together to build a historical sign, which marks the location of the former Shoreham Railroad Station.
Had outside vendors created the sign, members estimate it would have cost taxpayers about $12,000.
“This project was a great way for town members to showcase their abilities, as well as show the taxpayers the skillset of town workers,” said Town of Brookhaven Highway Department Unit 3rd Vice President Victor Mendoza. “[We accomplished] all of this while capturing a piece of local history.”
Miller Avenue Elementary School students had recently learned that there was a railroad station in the area that was operational from 1895 to 1938 and was eventually torn down in 1950.
The students wrote a letter to Town of Brookhaven officials requesting that a historical sign be placed at the site of the former rail station.
After town officials made the decision to create the sign, they requested that town workers use their skills to complete the project. Workers took two short weeks to complete the task.
“In all likelihood, this project might not have happened if we didn’t have town workers that were able to do it in-house, especially not something as grand as this,” said Town of Brookhaven Superintendent of Highways Dan Losquadro.
— Wendi Bowie
Above, CSEA Town of Brookhaven Highway Unit members responsible for bringing the historical sign to life gather in front of their work. From left to right are Noreen Hall, Michelle Biondi-Baird, Augustine Okijiola, Tom Hart, Chris Kepert, Michael DeFalco, Dave Heim, CSEA Town of Brookhaven Highway Department Unit President Dave Shelton, Mike Ebbecke, Shaun Berry, Jeff Davis, Peter Milano and CSEA Town of Brookhaven Highway Department Unit Secretary and CSEA Suffolk County Local 3rd Vice President Victor Mendoza.
