Town of Babylon officials are telling residents they can expect to see newly restored, upgraded facilities at Cedar Beach Marina and Gilgo Beach this summer.
Babylon Supervisor Richard Schaffer wrote an open letter to residents calling Cedar Beach Marina and Gilgo Beach among two of the town facilities most heavily damaged by Hurricane Sandy. His letter promises that town employees are working alongside contractors to repair the extensive damages and upgrade facilities by Memorial Day.
"Providing our residents with newly renovated and in some cases upgraded facilities is our top priority. Our residents have endured enough and we want to insure that you have the summer season that you have come to anticipate and enjoy in our town," Schaffer said in his letter to residents.
Cedar Beach Marina will need to have the entire boardwalk on the main dock replaced as well as the bulkhead, according to Schaffer. The marina's entire electrical system, water system and boat pump out station will also be replaced.
Town officials have hired an engineering firm to design a new marina for Cedar Beach that will include an upgraded 50 amp electrical service and new electrical and water service throughout. The supervisor said the contractors have been given firm deadlines and stiff penalties will be instituted if the deadlines are not met. However, a limited supply inventory or harsh winter weather could cause unexpected delays.
Both Cedar Overlook and Cedar Beach suffered significant beach erosion due to the storm that has left behind deep standing pools of water. Schaffer and Town Councilman Antonio Martinez, who chairs park and recreation, said Gilgo Beach's loss of sand on the oceanside "was devastating."
The supervisor's letter indicated the town is working with New York State to get permission to pump sand onto Gilgo Beach, and give similar approvals for their other ocean facilities.
"Please know that we are doing everything we can to have our facilities ready for you for the 2013 summer season. We are all in this together and will do everything we can to keep Babylon he best recreational town in Suffolk County," Schaffer wrote.
Click here to read the supervisor's full letter to residents, camping and boating permit holders on Town of Babylon's website.
