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Save the date! The Town of Smithtown Department of Environment and Waterways, in partnership with the Municipal Services Facility and the Department of Public Safety, will host a Household Hazardous Waste Collection event on Saturday, April 26. This free event will be held at the Smithtown Municipal Services Facility, located at 85 Old Northport Road in Kings Park, from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The household hazardous waste collection event is for Smithtown Township residents only. Proof of residency will be confirmed upon entry.

 During the April 26th free household hazardous waste collection event, Smithtown residents who drop off accepted recyclable batteries, under the Recycling Program, propane tanks (small 1lb tanks and 20lbs BBQ size tanks) or mercury/mercury containing devices will receive a $5 Home Depot gift card courtesy of Reworld (formerly known as Covanta). The gift cards are provided as a thank you to residents for recycling and reducing the potential safety and environmental impacts of improper disposal of these items in the regular trash. View the Household Battery Disposal Guide online at: https://www.smithtownny.gov/281/Household-Battery-Disposal-Guide  Terms: Limit one gift card per household regardless of the number of items dropped off. Gift cards will not be provided for alkaline batteries. Available while supplies last.

Common hazardous waste collected for manifested disposal include: oil based paints/ flammable paints, gasoline, paint thinners, waste gases, petroleum distillates, flammable solids, oxidizers liquids and solids, sodium/potassium nitrates, acids, corrosives, pesticides, herbicides, fertilizers, misc. toxic liquids (i.e. Chlordane, etc.) and solids, lacquers, lithium batteries, battery acids and various other toxic compounds.

DID YOU KNOW… 

Residents can also dispose of Electronic waste, free of charge, at the Town Recycling Center (also located at 85 Old Northport Road). Electronic Waste such as computers, printers, TV’s, monitors, automotive and household batteries can be dropped off during regular hours for proper recycling.

FREE MULCH: Mulch is also available FREE OF CHARGE to residents. Smithtown residents can line up for Pre-packaged bags of mulch with a maximum of ten (10) bags per visit. We offer free loading of loose mulch into your pick-up or dump truck. (Cover required)

The Smithtown Municipal Services Facility is located at 85 Old Northport Road in Kings Park. Regular operating hours are Tuesday through Saturday From 7 a.m. to 11:45 a.m. and 12:45 p.m. to 3:15 p.m. For more information, call 631-269-6600.

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Legislator Sanin presents a proclamation to contest winner, Andreas Psarris. Photo courtesy of Leg. Sanin's office

A Suffolk County teen’s creative vision took center stage at the Suffolk County Legislature, where his inspiring bike safety video captivated a room full of lawmakers and community leaders. In front of all 18 legislators, Walt Whitman High School senior Andreas Psarris was proudly honored by Legislator Rebecca Sanin as the countywide winner of the Legislature’s Annual Bike Safety Video Contest.

Each year, the Legislature encourages students across Suffolk County to create informative and engaging content promoting bicycle safety. The initiative empowers young people to raise awareness about vital public safety issues through creativity, education, and media.

This year, Andreas Psarris distinguished himself through his deep understanding of bike safety and his impressive videomaking skills. His fast-paced, creative video delivers life-saving safety tips in just 60 seconds—with detail, heart, and clarity. Psarris’s work rose above entries from all 18 legislative districts and his video will be used by the Suffolk County Police Department to promote bike safety across the county.

“Andreas is a remarkable example of the talent and leadership we have right here in the 16th Legislative District,” said Legislator Rebecca Sanin. “His video not only educates, it inspires—and it will help keep residents safe. We are so proud of his achievement and know this is only the beginning of the incredible contributions he will make to our community and beyond.”

Andreas reminds us what young people can accomplish when we give them a platform. Legislator Sanin presented Andreas with an official proclamation recognizing his accomplishment and commending his efforts to make Suffolk County a safer place for all.

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METRO photo

The Suffolk County Department of Health Services in conjunction with the Town of Brookhaven will offer free rabies vaccinations for dogs, cats and ferrets on Saturday, April 19, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Brookhaven Animal Shelter located at 300 Horseblock Road in Brookhaven.

Although the clinic is available to all Suffolk County residents, the quantity of vaccine is limited and available only while supplies last. All dogs must be on leashes and all cats and ferrets must be in carriers. No reservations required.

Can’t make it that day? The shelter will also hold free rabies vaccination clinics on May 31, June 28, July 26 and Aug. 23 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

“Take the time to protect your beloved pets against rabies. They give us so much joy and love and deserve to be kept safe, ” said County Executive Ed Romaine.

Rabies, a deadly disease caused by a virus that attacks the central nervous system, is most often seen among wild animals such as raccoons, bats, skunks, and foxes, but any mammal can be infected with rabies. Pets and livestock can get rabies if they are not vaccinated to protect them against infection.

New York State and Suffolk County laws require that all dogs, cats, and ferrets be vaccinated against rabies. Vaccinating pets not only provides protection for the animals but also acts as a barrier to keep the rabies virus from spreading between wild animals and people as three to six percent of the bats that are tested annually are positive for rabies.

The Suffolk County Department of Health Services recommends the following precautions to protect your pets and your family from possible exposure to rabies:

  • Do not feed, touch, or approach wild animals, or stray dogs or cats.
  • Be sure your pet dogs, cats, and ferrets as well as horses and other livestock animals are up to date on their rabies vaccinations.
  • Pets too young to be vaccinated should be kept indoors and allowed outside only under direct observation.
  • Keep family pets indoors at night. Do not leave them outside unattended or let them roam free.
  • Do not attract wild animals to your home or yard. Keep your property free of stored bird seed or other foods that may attract wild animals. Feed pets indoors. Tightly cover or put away garbage cans. Board up any openings to your attic, basement, porch, or garage. Cap your chimney with screens.
  • Do not transport or relocate any wild animals.
  • Teach children not to touch any animal they do not know and to tell an adult immediately if they are bitten by any animal.

To keep bats from getting into buildings, bat-proofing techniques should include:

  • Not leaving unscreened doors open to the outside
  • Not leaving unscreened windows open to the outside
  • Making sure windows have screens, chimneys are capped, and electrical and plumbing openings are plugged
  • Sealing all openings that are larger than 1/2 inch
  • Using materials such as expanding spray-on foam, caulk, wire mesh, wood that fits tightly, steel wool (around pipes that enter buildings), or polypropylene bird netting, to seal or cover gaps and holes.

Report all animal bites or contact with wild animals to the Suffolk County Department of Health Services at (631) 854-0333 weekdays, 9:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.  Animal bites or contact with wild animals can be reported to the Department at (631) 852-4820 outside normal business hours. If possible, try to contain the animal so that it can be tested.

For more information on rabies, follow the links below:

For information about the rabies vaccination clinic, call the Brookhaven Animal Shelter at (631) 451-6950 or visit www.brookhavenny.gov/AnimalShelter.

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Port Jefferson Harbor. Photo by Beth Heller Mason

The Suffolk County Department of Health Services on April 14 issued an advisory for residents and visitors to take precautions before recreating in Port Jefferson Harbor. This advisory follows a recent New York State Department of Environmental Conservation report of a discharge of partially treated sewage resulting from an electrical malfunction on one of the UV disinfection units, according to a press release.

Because the discharge reached surface waters, there is potential for elevated levels of pathogenic organisms to be present in this area. Corrective actions to mitigate the discharge have been completed.

Suffolk County Health officials are working closely with the NYSDEC, which has jurisdiction over the permitting, enforcement, and management of the Port Jefferson sewage treatment plant, according to the press release.

The NYSDEC has designated the shellfish lands within the entire Port Jefferson Harbor complex, including its tributaries, as uncertified. Health officials advise those engaged in recreational activities in the area to avoid contact with waters from Port Jefferson Harbor Complex until 9 a.m. Wednesday, April 16.

Keep children and pets away from the area. If contact does occur, rinse off the affected area with clean water immediately. Seek medical attention if after exposure you experience nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, skin, eye or throat irritation, allergic reactions, or breathing difficulties.

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Photo courtesy of Councilwoman Bonner's office
Photo courtesy of Councilwoman Bonner's office

On April 5, Councilwoman Jane Bonner attended the North Shore Little League (NSLL) Opening Day ceremonies. The NSLL, which was established in 1963, offers boys and girls, ages six through sixteen, the opportunity to play organized baseball and softball with their peers at fields on Route 25A in Rocky Point.

Also at the Opening Day ceremony was 2nd District State Assemblywoman Jodie Giglio and Quentin Palifka  representing Suffolk County Legislator Chad Lennon.

Councilwoman Bonner said “The North Shore Little League is great for kids to have fun and enjoy spending hours playing America’s pastime. I always know that summer is just around the corner when I hear the words ‘play ball!’ on opening day.”

For more information about the North Shore Little League, to volunteer or join their e-mail list, go to www.nsllrp.org or call 631-744-3355.

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Coming up on the Pressroom Afterhour, Suffolk County Executive Ed Romaine lays out a bold vision in his State of the County address, pointing to rising bond ratings, bipartisan cooperation, and a billion-dollar push to modernize sewers and safeguard water quality. We’ll unpack what his priorities mean for residents.

Then, we shift to Shoreham, where the Tesla Science Center rises from the ashes of a devastating fire. With over $14 million dollars raised and new leadership on board, we’ll explore how the center plans to honor Tesla’s legacy and position itself as a global hub for science and innovation.

As we approach the deadline to file our taxes, Brookhaven Receiver of Taxes Louis Marcoccia tells us what we need to know about this year’s tax season.

Afterwards, we shift our focus to Stony Brook University, where 300 students gathered for the first-ever Long Island Youth Climate Summit.

Turn the page with us as we delve into the week’s top stories, with another episode of the Pressroom Afterhour: Keeping it Local with TBR.

 

 

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Pictured from left, Zach Matuk, RN; Megan Burrows, RN; Natasha Thomas, LiveOnNY; Ed Schafer, heart transplant recipient; Karen Cummings, LiveOnNY; Chris Nelson, Interim President, St. Catherine of Siena Hospital; Chris Boukas, St. Catherine’s Chief Operating Officer; Mary Ellen McCrossen, St. Catherine’s Community Relations Manager and kidney donor; Laurie Yuditsky, St. Catherine’s Vice President, Quality and Patient Safety; Leslie Callahan, St. Catherine’s Office Manager, Plant Operations. Photo courtesy of St. Catherine of Siena Hospital
Pictured from left, Karen Cummings, LiveOnNY Senior Manager, Government and Community Affairs; Ed Schafer, heart transplant recipient; and Natasha Thomas, LiveOnNY Hospital Services Specialist. Photo courtesy of St. Catherine of Siena Hospital

In honor of April’s Organ Donation Awareness Month, St. Catherine of Siena Hospital in Smithtown, in collaboration with LiveOnNY, hosted a special flag-raising ceremony on April 2. 

Heart transplant recipient Ed Schafer was present at the ceremony to share his story and also discussed the memorable moment when he met his donor family. He explained how it was an unforgettable moment when the donor’s mother asked to feel Ed’s heart beating. It was at that moment, she knew her son’s heart lived on, in Ed. Ed’s donor was only 32 years old when he passed away. 

Pictured from left, Zach Matuk, RN; Megan Burrows, RN; Natasha Thomas, LiveOnNY; Ed Schafer, heart transplant recipient; Karen Cummings, LiveOnNY; Chris Nelson, Interim President, St. Catherine of Siena Hospital; Chris Boukas, St. Catherine’s Chief Operating Officer; Mary Ellen McCrossen, St. Catherine’s Community Relations Manager and kidney donor; Laurie Yuditsky, St. Catherine’s Vice President, Quality and Patient Safety; Leslie Callahan, St. Catherine’s Office Manager, Plant Operations. To register as an organ donor, go to LiveOnNY.org.

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Dogwood Elementary School students have been learning about autism and seeking ways to make school even more inclusive. Photo courtesy of Smithtown CSD
Dogwood Elementary School students have been learning about autism and seeking ways to make school even more inclusive. Photo courtesy of Smithtown CSD
Dogwood Elementary School students have been learning about autism and seeking ways to make school even more inclusive. Photo courtesy of Smithtown CSD
Dogwood Elementary School students have been learning about autism and seeking ways to make school even more inclusive. Photo courtesy of Smithtown CSD

Starting on April 1, Dogwood Elementary School in Smithtown celebrated Autism Acceptance Week. Children have been learning about autism and seeking ways to make school even more inclusive. Mrs. Nielsen’s students wrote and shared about the different things that make them special.

Mrs. Braun and Mrs. Diemer’s class learned about autism acceptance. After listening to a story, students brainstormed ways they can be kind and include others and worked on this project together.

On April 2, students were encouraged to wear red, gold, rainbow or blue to show support and acceptance of individuals with autism.

One characteristic of autism is to show incredibly focused passion for topics of interest. On April 3, students shared their passions and interests.

On April 4, students dressed in cozy pajamas in recognition of the fact that individuals with autism often have a variety of sensory sensitivities.

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Photo courtesy of StatePoint

Ongoing measles outbreaks across the country have many families, pediatricians and public health experts concerned. Most of the people who have gotten sick, including a child who died in Texas, were not vaccinated against measles.

The best way to protect your family is by choosing to have your child immunized against measles. The MMR vaccine—which protects against measles, mumps and rubella—is the only way to prevent measles. Vitamin A, cod liver oil and other alternatives have been discussed as ways to lessen the severity of measles. However, none of these alternatives will prevent measles. Too much vitamin A can also cause severe illness. Always talk with your pediatrician first.

“The reason many parents in the United States have not had to worry about measles in decades is because of widespread immunization with this safe and effective vaccine,” said AAP president and pediatrician, Susan Kressly. “However, when immunization rates drop in a community, the disease can spread, putting everyone—especially young children—at risk.”

Before the measles vaccine was available in the United States, an average of 450 people died from measles every year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Most of them were previously healthy children. Children who contract measles are at higher risk for developing more serious conditions such as pneumonia or a brain infection called encephalitis.

These complications can become deadly. Additionally, a rare but universally fatal form of brain swelling called subacute sclerosing panencephalitis can occur in healthy children years after they have recovered from measles infection.

Measles is highly contagious. The virus can live for up to two hours in the air where infected people have coughed or sneezed. Nine out of 10 people exposed to the virus who don’t have immunity from the vaccine will also become infected, according to the CDC. To prevent the virus from spreading and potentially causing an outbreak, creating community immunity by reaching a high level of vaccination rate is crucial to protect those who cannot be vaccinated.

The vast majority of parents get their children vaccinated. But because measles is so infectious, if a community’s rate of vaccination dips below 95% of the population, the disease can easily spread, impacting individuals and groups of people. Check with your pediatrician today if you’re unsure about your child’s protection. Learn more at HealthyChildren.org.

“No parent should have to experience the loss of a child to a preventable disease. Vaccines save lives,” said Dr. Kressly. “Pediatricians are here to talk with families about their children’s health, including how they can access vaccines. We must support immunization programs so that children in every community get the opportunity to grow up healthy and strong.” (StatePoint)

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Scene from the Long Island Youth Climate Summit. Photo by William Stieglitz
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Scene from the Long Island Youth Climate Summit. Photo by William Stieglitz
Scene from the Long Island Youth Climate Summit. Photo by William Stieglitz
Scene from the Long Island Youth Climate Summit. Photo by William Stieglitz
Scene from the Long Island Youth Climate Summit. Photo by William Stieglitz
Scene from the Long Island Youth Climate Summit. Photo by William Stieglitz
Scene from the Long Island Youth Climate Summit. Photo by William Stieglitz
Scene from the Long Island Youth Climate Summit. Photo by William Stieglitz
Scene from the Long Island Youth Climate Summit. Photo by William Stieglitz
Scene from the Long Island Youth Climate Summit. Photo by William Stieglitz
Scene from the Long Island Youth Climate Summit. Photo by William Stieglitz
Scene from the Long Island Youth Climate Summit. Photo by William Stieglitz
Scene from the Long Island Youth Climate Summit. Photo by William Stieglitz

By William Stieglitz

Approximately 300 students from 17 local high schools and at least one middle school gathered April 4 for the first Long Island Youth Climate Summit at Stony Brook University. Organized by Students for Climate Action and Renewable Energy Long Island, the event centered on environmental education and advocacy, with students encouraged to get involved with grassroots.

“It’s really important that students remember that they have a voice, that they have power, that there’s a lot they can do locally,” said Harrison Bench from S4CA. “We are teaching students about the science behind climate change, the science behind renewable energy, but we’re also giving them practical tools in advocacy. … They go back to their towns, their communities, their schools, and they have the actual skills necessary to continue to push for change, where change matters most.”

Speakers at the event came from a variety of organizations. Adrienne Esposito, executive director of Citizens Campaign for the Environment, taught how to distinguish misinformation from environmental fact. Energy and construction organizations, such as the Haugland Group and the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority, spoke on the benefits of offshore wind and solar projects, while also encouraging careers in climate and energy. And Monique Fitzgerald, a climate justice organizer at Long Island Progressive Coalition, shared information on New York’s 2019 Climate Act, which aims to lower greenhouse gas emissions but has not been fully funded, and encouraged calling on Governor Kathy Hochul (D) “to double down on investments in New York State.”

Additionally, there was a panel with six elected officials — Suffolk County Executive Ed Romaine (R), Suffolk County legislators Steven Englebright (D, Setauket) and Rebecca Sanin (D, Huntington Station), Southold Town Supervisor Al Krupski (D), East Hampton Town Deputy Supervisor Cate Rogers (D) and New York State Senator Monica Martinez (D/WF, Brentwood) — who all spoke on the importance of advancing clean energy. Bench expressed that he would have liked an even larger turnout of representatives, saying “it would have been really great to have more Republican elected officials on the town board,” but also that he hopes to increase the number for next year.

The student response to the event was positive, with the teens saying they especially appreciated learning about offshore wind and hearing from keynote speaker Christopher Gobler, from the School of Marine and Atmospheric Sciences at Stony Brook University. “I like that it brings attention to a lot of the issues right now,” said a student from Westhampton Beach High School. “It’s super, super important, especially in our political climate, with the pulling out of the Paris Climate Agreement.”

“I feel like it was very empowering,” said another student, who does local beach cleanup each summer. “Before, I thought that maybe I wouldn’t have had as much of a difference, like, just one person at a time. Now I’m hearing that there’s 300 other students here that are all here for the same reason. We can all go out together and all make an impact and that together, I feel like, [we] can really make a difference in the world, which is what I really care about the most.”

After about 4 hours of learning, students took a break for pizza and to meet with exhibitors from organizations such as PSEG Long Island, the New York League of Conservation Voters and Drive Electric Long Island. They then reconvened for action items, starting with making postcards to send to their congressional representatives. Students wrote letters on one side and got creative with designs on the other. Among the colorful images of wind turbines and the globe were messages such as “Only One Planet Earth,” “Use your brain power! Support wind power!” and “Please support renewable energy before we go under water.” Afterward, the students started petitions to bring back to their schools, focusing on crafting their asks, arguments, methods of distribution and timeline.

Melissa Parrot, executive director of ReLI, said the summit “exceeded our expectations.” She wanted the event to be solution oriented rather than just restating the problems. “We know we wanted climate science. We know we wanted action. We know we wanted careers. We know we wanted elected officials to be part of this process. So it kind of just figured itself out.”

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