Politics & Government

Logistical Concerns A Factor in Nixing Battle on the Bay

West Sayville Fire Department's chief discusses the planning process for the event.

Plans for this year’s Battle on the Bay have been in motion since last year’s event ended, but they came to a screeching halt on Tuesday after a resolution authorizing the Town of Islip Supervisor to execute an agreement with Great South Bay Racing, Inc. for the Battle on the Bay  by the town board.

Great South Bay Racing, which runs the event, had previously held the event in Patchogue but after a scheduling conflict loomed, the Sayville Chamber of Commerce stepped up and suggested downtown Sayville for the festivities.

“We really want the race in Sayville,” Bill Etts, first vice president of the Sayville Chamber of Commerce told council members prior to the vote. “We know what it did for businesses in Patchogue and we feel this would promote business in Sayville.”

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The event was scheduled for the weekend of August 26 – 28 with a Party on Main set for Sayville’s Main Street on Friday evening and VIP viewing stations set up on the West Avenue Dock in West Sayville. Race Village, where the boats would dock, was scheduled to be held in East Islip.

Town of Islip Supervisor Phil Nolan cited concerns that the Sayville and West Sayville Fire Departments had about the event including “logistical issues.”

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According to West Sayville Fire Department (WSFD) Chief Joseph Schroeder, the WSFD neither advocated for nor lobbied against the proposed event.

“We were informed of plans to hold the race in late May and immediately began to plan for what was projected to be a large influx of people and vehicles into our community,” said Schroeder.

According to Schroeder, since June, approximately five volunteer fire departments and one volunteer ambulance corps have met weekly with event promoters and representatives of Suffolk County FRES, Suffolk County Police, the Town of Islip and Town of Brookhaven Offices of Emergency Management.

“The purpose of those meetings has been to formulate an Incident Action Plan to address potential emergency situations that might occur during the proposed event,” said Schrorder. “That developing plan also included resources from several other agencies in support of our efforts.”

Schroeder also cited neighboring events that caused concern for the West Sayville Fire Department – the Long Island Maritime Museum’s Seafood Festival, a party planned at a nearby marina and a wedding scheduled at the West Sayville Golf Course catering facility are all planned for the same weekend.

“Since viewing for the race was proposed in close proximity to and within the seafood festival, we began a coordinated plan to address both events,” said Schroeder. “Those familiar with our community will recognize the limited space available in the region south of Montauk Highway and may be able to imagine the concerns we have been addressing relating to emergency access to the residences and businesses in that area – as well as response planning for those in attendance at the events planned for that weekend.”

The Chamber of Commerce encouraged local business owners to attend the board meeting to show their support for the event. Also, Boating Times Long Island Magazine expressed their opinions after the vote via Twitter, saying “This was a popular event for our readers; the town will miss out on revenue.”

“We recognize that our local business community welcomed this event,” said Schroeder. “In support of those businesses, and more importantly on behalf of the residents of our community, we have been performing our due diligence relating to the combination of events proposed for the weekend in question. That is what we do. In that effort, we are grateful for the support we have received from all involved, including both the Town of Islip and Suffolk County.”

Officials with Great South Bay Racing and the Sayville Chamber of Commerce could not be reached for comment.

The town board does not meet again until August 16.


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