The LaGrange Task Force held a press conference last week outlining several proposals for the property. The Task Force has been working to find alternatives to the plan to restore the building, move it back on the site and add a Walgreen's Pharmacy there. Hundreds of residents attended a meeting at the West Islip Library in May, calling for that plan to be scrapped and more enduring proposal to be put forward. With many hours of work behind them, the Task Force said the site would best serve the community if it were restored and developed into a catering facility, similar to that of the Milleridge Inn in, with retail shops along the perimeter. With additional land available to the west, they believe there are many opportunities for a developer to come in and build something that would add character to the West Islip Community and give it a greater sense of identity.

"My neighbors painstakingly restore their historical homes, there's no reason that businesses shouldn't do the same," said task force chairperson Joseph DeCarlo. "Our intent was never to damage the owners, they de­serve to make a profit, we just need to save the iconic building." Although similar ideas were raised about eight years ago, said S.C. Leg. Tom Barraga, they were turned down. Barraga says the plan is worth another look.

"We have whole new level of cooperation with the new administration in Town, so we should try again," he said. "The feedback was positive about these ideas from the owners and they seem to be on board with us." Another proposal that was not well received was to build multi-use apartments over shops and an eatery. The most difficult and largest plan discussed would be to develop a La Grange Village Square, which would encompass four properties. It was described as a mini village with restaurants, retail and apartments. That plan would entail the use of the Babylon Ford site, a small real estate building, and the former Ukrainian Catholic Church, which is now up for sale.

"This plan would require all the owners to merge their properties and seek a planned development dis­trict from the Town," said DeCarlo. Another ideas was to have a culinary institute and or health facility for either Good Samaritan or Southside hospitals. The latter idea received a smattering of "no way" comments from some at the press conference. Professional office space rounded out the list put together by the 17-member task force who met over eight weeks.

Regardless of which option or plan is chosen, most residents of West Islip want to see historical LaGrange Inn preserved.

"We don't need to destroy in the name of progress," said DeCarlo. "We want to preserve and protect our village's centerpiece and the way to do that is by ask­ing the owner to see Planned Landmark Development status." "I'm not against progress, but I'd like the area to remain the same as possible" said 20-year West Islip resident Karl Wilhelm who agreed that a catering hall or restaurant would be the best use of the site because it would generate the least traffic.

"The restraunt was good because there were cer­tain times people would go and eat and it was a quiet place," he said. The building in its smaller and initial stage was built in 1776. Since then it has undergone numerous renova­tions and has been added to, sometimes haphazardly, according to some residents and historical architects.

"West Islip is a relatively small community," said 22-year residents Dana and Anthony Esposito. "We don't need a third drugstore...one is right across the street from La Grange. The Esposito's live behind the restaurant and said their street is becoming a high-speed cut through for people who want to avoid the lights. A development like Walgreens would make that much worse, they added.

Not to worry, according to Barraga who said the Town of Islip Planning Board does not support the change of zone that the Walgreen's plan requires if it to proceed in its intital proposal.

"Legally Walgreens can come back and have a hear­ing, but it would be an uphill battle for them," he said. "They know how opposed they are and I don't think they'd want to move in somewhere like that."

Calls to the owners of the site were not returned.