Much progress has been made to enhance the historic hamlet of Oyster Bay — and the entire Oyster Bay-East Norwich community.
The most recent example is the installation of a dozen or so new antique lampposts on historic West Main Street in Oyster Bay early this summer, courtesy of funding secured by Legislator Judy Jacobs and the town. According to OB-EN Chamber of Commerce Board of Director member Rob Brusca, the funding was initially offered solely for lamp installations on West Main Street. Soon thereafter, however, the town generously offered to assist further with additional grant funding for more lamps and installation services—ultimately resulting in the addition of 35 new antique lamps throughout the downtown (28 are installed, with seven planned for installation in the near future), including on East Main Street, in front of the historic Oyster Bay Post Office, and heading north on upper Audrey Avenue leading to the historic train station, where construction of the new alternate entrance to Theodore Roosevelt Park will begin this fall.
After the recent installation of the lamps, the Chamber purchased and installed hanging baskets on the new lamps, providing a profusion of beautiful pink petunias that brighten the streets. Hector, the sexton at Christ Church with a “green thumb,” has been tapped by the Chamber to assure that the baskets are properly watered and continue to thrive throughout the summer season.
Chamber President Dottie Simons said, “We are grateful to the town and to Legislator Jacobs for their generosity and ongoing assistance in the near complete installation of the 35 lamps. In addition, our generous partners at the OB Main Street Association have now secured 16 more antique lamps that will be installed starting on South Street, from about the Carvel and Wild Honey corners, south to about Gulden’s Bakery on the west side of the street and just south of Mike’s Barbershop on the east side. The goal is to continue to seek funding in order to proceed further north and further south on South Street with the lamps, ideally to the Commander Tanks to the north and as far south as the Teddy Roosevelt Statue.”
When the first “phase” of these installations are completed — anticipated by year’s end — the hamlet will enjoy the addition of 51 new antique lampposts. “With the ongoing partnership of the many local organizations and the ongoing support of our Town and County governments, we are confident that more good things are to come. We hope so! Job well done all,” said Brusca.
