Hoyt Farm Nature Preserve in Commack, NY receives a much needed silo roof from an Eagle Scout. Jeremy Wendt, from Troop 708 in Huntington was looking for a project for his Eagle Scout badge and asked the farm manager if there was anything that he could do.
Jeff Gumin, the Hoyt Farm park manager, suggested replacing the Silo roof. Gumin had been nailing fallen shingles from the silo since he was a teenager volunteering at the park.
Storm Damaged Roof
Up until 2008, repairs were made by climbing the 2 story high cement cylinder and nailing fallen cedar shingles back onto the roof. The 80 year old silo has been roofless since 2008 when a strong wind destroyed the roof beyond repair.
Wendt raised $1,000 with a pancake breakfast after getting approval from the scout masters. Wendt and a dozen scouts, Wendt’s boss, master woodworker Joe Hallaran and donated shingles from Florence Building Materials in Huntington completed the job on Veterans Day.
Raising the Roof
The next hurdle was to get the 1,300 pound roof on top of the two story silo. Smithtown traffic engineer Tony Cannone found a way to use two trucks and hoist the roof on top of the silo.
Gumin was relieved that Wendt has been able to accomplish what the park did not have the resources to do.
The Hoyt Farm is open 365 days a year. They have a water playground, a nature center and a Hoyt House Museum. They also offer educational programs, you can see more at their website www.smithtowninfo.com/HoytFarm
