Huntington Station, NY - October 2, 2018 - Huntington Supervisor Chad A. Lupinacci, Ryan Attard from the MTA Long Island Rail Road, South Huntington School District Superintendent Dr. Dave Bennardo, School Board President Nicholas Ciappetta, Trustee Sidney Joyner, and Birchwood Intermediate School Principal Anthony Ciccarelli, former Birchwood Assistant Principal Annie Michaelian, faculty, parents, and students were joined by Councilwoman Joan Cergol, Tax Receiver Jillian Guthman and Assemblyman Steve Stern for a ribbon cutting to unveil the beautification project mural installation under the Huntington Station train trestle on Saturday, September 22.
The Birchwood Intermediate School SBM (Site-Based Management) Committee, a group of teachers, students, parents and administrators, conceived the idea for the mural and proposed the project to Supervisor Lupinacci in April 2018 and Long Island Railroad officials in May 2018. The SBM team creates and implements new ideas for community and school involvement.
"This mural has truly changed the landscape in Huntington Station, this beautification project could not have been implemented at a more fitting time, as the Town is making progress on multiple revitalization efforts but we really owe it to all the Birchwood staff, students and families for taking the initiative on this beautification project and especially to the MTA Long Island Rail Road, who gave permission to do this project on their property, and Aboff's of Huntington, who donated all the paint and supplies for this project," said Supervisor Lupinacci. "The mural is leaving an impression on all those visiting and travelling through Huntington Station. My office has been receiving calls and emails about the mural and people are delighted to see it, they tell us it makes them happy and it puts a smile on their faces as they drive by."
The mural, a scaled-up version of drawing and illustrations created by Birchwood students, depicts key elements comprising the beauty of the Town of Huntington. Aboff's in Huntington donated paint and supplies for the project.