The competing needs of historic preservation and modern safety are in the balance to keep a taste of Italy alive along the south shore of Long Island. Town leaders in Babylon are in the process of restoring a pair of historic bridges in the village of Copiague, an $8.8 million project being paid for by the Governor’s Office of Storm Recovery plan, reports CBS2’s Jenna DeAngelis.

“It’s just a great place to live,” said 47-year resident Joe Curto about life along the water But it hasn’t always been a smooth sail, especially after Hurricane Sandy. “I lost everything. The water came two feet into the house,” Curto said.