Assembly David Sidikman recently announced that, through his efforts, the Town of Oyster Bay has been approved and will immediately receive a grant of $250,000 through the Strategic Investment Program as administered by the New York State Dormitory Commission.

Sidikman worked in collaboration with Town of Oyster Bay Councilwoman Bonnie Eisler to designate the streets that will receive this new lighting.

"For years as a resident of the Town of Oyster Bay, I have been aware of the inferior illumination produced by the yellow sodium vapor lamps. But more specifically, the confusion they cause at traffic intersections, being mistaken for the amber traffic signal, and possibly contributing to an auto or pedestrian accident," said Sidikman. "The replacement of these lamps with new high pressure sodium lamps will most certainly contribute to the overall safety of the residents and visitors to the Town of Oyster Bay."

The street lighting improvements will involve major roads in East Norwich, Hicksville, Oyster Bay hamlet, Plainview, Syosset and Woodbury. The grant will cover the cost of converting from low-pressure to high-pressure sodium lights along Rte. 106 from Hicksville to Oyster Bay hamlet; Old Country Road from South Oyster Bay Road to Round Swamp Road, Plainview; South Oyster Bay Road from Old Country Road, Hicksville and Syosset; Manetto Hill Road from Plainview Road /East Bethpage Road to Woodbury Road, Plainview and Woodbury; Woodbury Road from South Oyster Bay Road to Uphill Lane, Plainview and Woodbury; West Main Street, Oyster Bay hamlet; East Main Street, Oyster Bay hamlet; Rte. 25-A through East Norwich; Syosset-Woodbury Road from Woodbury Road to Cold Spring Road, Syosset and Woodbury; and Cold Spring Road from Syosset-Woodbury Road to Syosset downtown.

Last month, Town of Oyster Bay Supervisor John Venditto released a press release announcing this grant before Sidikman had the chance to do so. "The reason that I didn't announce this grant right away was because I wanted to make sure everything was finalized," said Sidikman who explained that it sometimes takes time to finalize grant money.

"I am happy that I was able to do it," said Sidikman. "I followed up so many times to find out when it was going to happen."

-Denise D'Alessandro