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Photo caption: (seated from left to right) Patient Ted Corn and patient Madilyn Makboulian, celebrate with staff from the Center for Hyperbaric Medicine & Wound Healing and Restorix Health. Photo by Kristy Leibowitz

Catholic Health’s St. Catherine of Siena Hospital recently celebrated a 10-year anniversary of offering hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBO) at its Center for Hyperbaric Medicine & Wound Healing. The Center, in partnership with RestorixHealth, offers comprehensive care for chronic and complex wounds.

“We are proud to reach this significant milestone of providing innovative wound care services to our community,” Lisa Marie Terrana, MD, the Center’s medical director. “Every day, our multidisciplinary team of specialists utilize evidence-based therapies and leading-edge technologies to help our patients recover from a wide range of serious wounds and return to their normal lives.”

Theodore “Ted” Corn, 78, an Army Veteran, 38-year volunteer with the Deer Park Fire Department and dedicated community member, was enjoying an active lifestyle before discovering blood in his urine. Previously treated for prostate cancer, Mr. Corn was suffering from side-effects of chemotherapy and radiation, forcing him to take a medical leave of absence from his security job. Mr. Corn was then referred to St. Catherine’s Center for Hyperbaric Medicine & Wound Healing for HBO therapy – a treatment in which a patient breathes 100% pure oxygen while inside a pressurized chamber to activate white blood cells and increase the flow of oxygen to organs and tissues to promote wound healing.

Mr. Corn underwent two-hour HBO therapy sessions five days a week, noticing remarkable improvement in just one week. After 30 sessions, he experienced a complete resolution of symptoms.

“HBO therapy allowed us to not only stop Mr. Corn’s bleeding, but also alleviate his pain,” said Anthony Lombardo, the Center’s safety director and hyperbaric oxygen technician. “We’re pleased that our services have helped improve the health and quality of life of Mr. Corn and so many others.”

Mr. Corn expressed his gratitude for the care he received, saying “They really know their business, the therapy has done its job and everybody was very nice to me. If somebody has a wound, this is the best thing for them.” Mr. Corn is looking forward to returning to his job and the community activities he treasures.

HBO therapy treatment can also be beneficial for breast cancer survivors who have scar tissue. Madilyn Makboulian began HBO treatment at St Catherine of Siena Hospital in April 2019 and underwent one month of daily treatments. The treatment significantly helped to heal breast scar tissue. 

Ms. Makboulian said of the care received at St. Catherine’s, “I had a great experience at the Center, as all of the staff were very pleasant and accommodating. They were caring and understanding of the situation I was dealing with.”

For more information about St. Catherine of Siena Hospital’s Center for Hyperbaric Medicine & Wound Healing or to schedule an appointment, call (631) 784-7200.

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About Catholic Health 

Catholic Health is an integrated system encompassing some of the region’s finest health and human services agencies. The health system has over 17,000 employees, six acute care hospitals, three nursing homes, a home health service, hospice and a network of physician practices. Under the sponsorship of the Diocese of Rockville Centre, Catholic Health serves hundreds of thousands of Long Islanders each year, providing care that extends from the beginning of life to helping people live their final years in comfort, grace and dignity.

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METRO image

TBR News Media sent a Q&A to local salutatorians and valedictorians, asking about the strategies that helped them become their school’s top performers. In Smithtown Central School District, an honor speaker is chosen by the graduating class of each high school instead of prescribing to the valedictorian and salutatorian distincion. Rabia Chattha is the honor speaker for Smithtown High School East. At Hauppague High School, Sara Conquet was valedictorian and Ayaan Shah was salutatorian.

Rabia Chattha
 • GPA: 4.45
 • Activities: President of Science Olympiad, President of National Honor Society, member of multiple honor societies, Varsity Track and Cross Country Teams, Volunteer Ambulance Corps, co-founder of Game4AC
 • Attending Stony Brook University to study Biochemistry on the Pre-Med track

What advice would you give an incoming freshman?
Try everything from class to clubs, even if it isn’t your first choice, because you never know what you’ll end up liking. I’ve learned that high school is the perfect time to explore new interests and step outside your comfort zone.

How did you stay motivated throughout your studies?
Rather than only focusing on one long-term goal, I set many short-term ones as stepping stones. Whether it’s aiming to get a good grade on a test coming up in a week or working toward my dream of becoming a physician, these goals keep me focused.

Please share some study habits you employ that helped you maintain high grades.
My biggest study habit that has helped me is time management. I use planners and to-do lists to stay organized. After each class, if there is an upcoming test, I rewrite all of my notes, and if I notice a flaw, I practice a lot to better my weaknesses in that subject.

What are your goals or career aspirations?
In the future, I aspire to become a physician. It has been my dream since I was young to help others through medicine and to truly make a difference in people’s lives.

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Sara Conquet: Valedictorian
 • GPA: 103.23
 • Activities: Chamber Orchestra, National Honor Society, Spanish Honor Society, English Honor Society, History Honor Society, Math Honor Society, Science Honor Society, Quiz Bowl
 • Attending Vassar College to study Neuroscience

Ayaan Shah: Salutatorian
 • GPA: 102.92
 • Activities: Science Olympiad, Quiz Bowl, Science Bowl, Coding Club, Chamber Orchestra (cello), Varsity Tennis, National Honor Society, Math Honor Society, Science National Honor Society, German Honor Society, English Honor Society
 • Attending Georgia Institute of Technology to study Electrical Engineering

What advice would you give an incoming freshman?
 Conquet: Don’t just focus on grades, even when it seems like school encompasses every part of your life. Try to enjoy your classes, especially classes with content that you enjoy learning about — this may even help you figure out what you want to do after high school. Also remember that school isn’t just about schoolwork, even if most of the time it seems like it’s just about classes and grades. Remember the people — the friends, the teachers, the coaches — that motivate you to get through the day and give you reasons to smile. Thank them, spend time with them, and remind them how important they are to you.
 Shah: My best advice for freshmen would be to take in everything. It is easy to say that a certain subject or class is useless, but you never know what you are interested in if you do not stay open to learning. The second part to this is to try everything. You are at the optimal part of your life where you can learn new hobbies and build lifelong interests, and now is the time to start. Join new clubs, participate in sports, explore new subjects, and do not let any opportunity pass you by.

How did you stay motivated throughout your studies?
 Conquet: I always reminded myself of my goals and of how maintaining good grades would allow me to get into a better college and have a more successful future. I also often engaged in friendly competition with some of my peers, and trying to get grades as high as or higher than theirs helped motivate me.
 Shah: One of the most important aspects of my life that allowed me to focus on my future goals has been my parents. They always supported my academics, pushed me toward perfection, and aided me when I was unsure exactly what I wanted to do as a career.

Please share some study habits you employ that helped you maintain high grades.
 Conquet: Actively taking notes while the teacher is instructing (in lecture-type classes), taking practice tests in a quiet environment and treating them as if they were the actual test (then grading the tests and assessing my weaknesses and strengths), prioritizing subjects based on difficulty and the dates of the exams.
 Shah: One of the best study habits has been to really focus during class and take detailed notes. Even just taking your own notes on blank paper is really helpful to memorize content. Another important point is to remember everything. A school year is not very long, so you should keep everything in mind and not let anything go.

What are your goals or career aspirations?
 Conquet: I would like to eventually conduct professional scientific research and pursue a professional degree. I would like to participate in or lead significant research which could possibly benefit the lives of others and contribute to advancements in medicine and science.
 Shah: I am going to pursue a degree in Electrical Engineering. I intend to particularly focus on computer hardware. As a part of this, I hope to participate in various scientific research projects to expand my knowledge and engineering skills.

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Town of Smithtown Supervisor Ed Wehrheim

By Peter Sloniewsky

Two-term incumbent Town of Smithtown Supervisor Ed Wehrheim (R, Kings Park) is running in the Republican primary for a third term on June 24. After taking office in 2018, Wehrheim has taken action to improve fiscal stability, revitalize business districts and enhance infrastructure. 

Prior to his two terms as supervisor, Wehrheim was born into a three-generation Kings Park family before serving in Vietnam, gradually rising through Smithtown Department of Parks bureaucracy and eventually serving as a town councilmember. In an interview with TBR News Media, he emphasized the importance of continuing what he considers to be a productive two terms. 

“I’m running on our record of accomplishments with the administration here in the Town of Smithtown,” Wehrheim said. “I’ve been around the government since 2003 here in Town Hall, and I think [voters] would verify that I’m very approachable at any time, and public service is very high… I’m here to do the best job I can for the Town of Smithtown taxpayers and will continue to do so.” 

Wehrheim noted the importance of continuing his work on a few issues. Namely, he intends to prioritize continued fiscal stability and overhauling community parks. 

“Smithtown is a fiscally stable town, and we’ve had an AAA bond rating since I took office in 2018,” Wehrheim said. The AAA bond rating is the highest financial distinction. “We have completely overhauled the parks and recreation facilities in Smithtown, and we are at this point about 75% complete.” 

Wehrheim also stands behind his administration’s work on business district revitalization. This issue stands to substantially affect this primary, considering Wehrheim’s opponent’s general opposition to substantial further development. 

“St. James’ downtown revitalization has been completed,” Wehrheim said. “We’re working on completing the renovations of the Kings Park business district, and the engineering plans for Smithtown and Nesconset are in the early stages.” 

He also took care to address some matters expected to arise in the near future. In Wehrheim’s view, the most pressing issues facing the town are the closure of the Town of Brookhaven landfill and the resulting solid-waste crisis, alongside the need for storm-safe infrastructure as Long Island weather becomes more severe. 

“All of Long Island is going to be faced with a solid-waste crisis, caused by the Brookhaven landfill due to be closed in two years… That is a pressing issue because of the cost to ship this material off the island… There are many, many entities working on remedies for that, but it is a pressing issue. The Suffolk County Supervisors Association is working diligently with state and federal officials to come up with an answer for how we would do that economically,” Wehrheim said.

“As everybody knows, the storms on Long Island have become increasingly severe, which causes intense rainfall,” he added. “All of the drainage structures throughout the whole road system, not just in Smithtown but in most towns in Suffolk County, were designed and engineered to take a two-and-a-half-inch rainstorm. So they’re inadequate. We’re in the process with our highway department of starting to replace those drainage structures and the infrastructure under the roadways to be able to accept more in line with a four- or five-inch rainstorm.” 

Wehrheim also drew a strict contrast between his campaign and that of his opponent, Suffolk County Legislator Rob Trotta (R, Fort Salonga). 

“At this point, my opponent is running on open space and burying electric lines. That’s basically what his campaign is about,” Wehrheim said. “I am running for reelection on my record of accomplishments and how I have conducted my governmental operation here in the Town of Smithtown for residents… I think any resident you call will tell them that, if they call here, they get an answer back.”

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Suffolk County Legislator Rob Trotta. Photo courtesy Leg. Trotta

By Peter Sloniewsky

At the June 24 Republican primary, Suffolk County Legislator Rob Trotta (R, Fort Salonga) is running to replace incumbent Ed Wehrheim (R, Kings Park) as the Republican candidate for Town of Smithtown supervisor. 

Trotta initially took office in 2014 following a lengthy career with the Suffolk County Police Department and will be term limited in November. Trotta’s platform includes limited development, open-space preservation, term limits and more generally limited town government. 

“They want four-story apartment buildings in downtown Smithtown,” Trotta said, referring to the current administration. “Their own consultants said that the people of Smithtown and Kings Park… do not want high-density apartments. And the first thing they did was shove high-density apartments into less than half an acre.” 

Trotta also referenced New York Governor Kathy Hochul’s (D) plan for transit-oriented development, which involves the rezoning of residential areas around train stations to incentivize housing development. This development has been the subject of much debate and has generally received mixed reviews from suburban representatives on the state level. 

“At our train stations in Smithtown, her mandate was fifteen units per acre,” Trotta told TBR News Media. “They’re trying to shove forty-six in a half an acre… it defies logic. They’re urbanizing and making Smithtown into Queens.” 

When asked directly about Smithtown’s affordable housing, Trotta offered an alternative response. 

“When a house goes up for sale here, it sells in an hour. It’s affordable to someone… there are people that can afford to live here,” Trotta said. “It’s just getting older! Homes will free up… when you build all of these apartments, you’re robbing a generation of building equity by putting young people in those apartments.” 

“I’m not saying all apartments are bad,” Trotta added. “I’m not against all apartments, but the proliferation of it is ridiculous.” 

Trotta is also running on a platform of anticorruption measures and term limits. Previously, his tenure as a police officer and legislator was marked by strict opposition to the power of the Suffolk County Police Benevolent Association. The New York Times even reported in 2021 that Trotta’s foremost motivation in running for the Suffolk County Legislature in 2014 was to investigate the police department. 

“I’m honest, I’m trustworthy, and I’m cheap,” Trotta said. “I will watch after every dollar… I’ll watch every dollar of tax money, and I’ll root out any corruption.”

Lastly, Trotta plans to prioritize public-space management and expansion. As a Suffolk County legislator, such actions have been a major part of his tenure. 

“I’ve been responsible for over 400 acres being preserved in the town of Smithtown,” Trotta said. “People moved here for the suburban lifestyle, not an urban lifestyle.”

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Police car. Stock photo

Suffolk County Police Fourth Squad detectives are investigating a two-vehicle crash that injured
multiple people, two of them seriously, in Smithtown on June 7.

Thomas Cahill was driving a 2020 Kia Optima northbound on Route 25A when a 2020 Honda CRV,
traveling westbound on River Heights Drive, made a left turn in front of the Kia, which caused the
vehicles to collide at 10:03 p.m.

Cahill, 46, and his passenger Michael Cahill, 9, both of Kings Park, were transported to Good Samaritan
University Hospital in West Islip for treatment of minor injuries.

All occupants of the Honda, residents of Middle Village in Queens, NY, were transported to Stony
Brook University Hospital. The driver, Pietro Colombo, 86, suffered minor injuries. The front
passenger, Veto Colombo, 56, was not injured. Two passengers in the back, Maria Colombo, 76, and
Rosalia Colombo, 78, suffered serious injuries. Another passenger in the back, Angela Colombo, 55,
suffered minor injuries.

Both vehicles were impounded for a safety check. Anyone with information on this crash is asked to
contact the Fourth Squad at 631-854-8452.

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Highway Crews clean natural streams in the Village of the Branch as a part of the Clean Stream Maintenance Program. Photo from Town of Smithtown
Highway Crews clean natural streams in the Village of the Branch as a part of the Clean Stream Maintenance Program. Photo from Town of Smithtown
Highway Crews clean natural streams in the Village of the Branch as a part of the Clean Stream Maintenance Program. Photo from Town of Smithtown
Highway Crews clean natural streams in the Village of the Branch as a part of the Clean Stream Maintenance Program. Photo from Town of Smithtown

As paving season kicks off, the Town of Smithtown Highway Department is hitting the ground running with a smarter, more efficient approach to infrastructure maintenance. By combining cutting-edge technology, and proactive planning, the department has completed a number of key projects to protect residents, prevent costly repairs, and improve road safety and flood resilience across the township.

“This year, the Town Board made a significant $3 million investment in our capital budget specifically for roads and critical infrastructure upgrades. This is not just about paving roads—it’s about protecting homes, neighborhoods, and the long-term quality of life for our residents. The Town Board and Highway Department are deeply committed to prioritizing smart, proactive solutions. We’re no longer just reacting to problems—we’re leveraging real-time data, advanced technology, and strategic planning to stretch every taxpayer dollar and deliver the highest quality work. These investments ensure our roadways, drainage systems, and stormwater infrastructure are safer, more efficient, and built to withstand whatever Mother Nature throws at us and other future challenges,” said Town of Smithtown Supervisor Ed Wehrheim in a press release.

With over 470 miles of roads, hundreds of drainage systems, sumps, recharge basins, curbs, and driveway aprons under its care, the Highway Department has been working year-round to get ahead of potential infrastructure failures before they occur.

“Our goal is to work smarter, not harder—and most importantly, to stay ahead of problems before they become public hazards or costly emergencies… Through the use of new technology and by partnering with our experts in Environment and Waterways, Parks, and Engineering, we’re creating safer, more resilient roads and stronger infrastructure for the future,” said Highway Superintendent Robert Murphy.

Flood Prevention Through the Clean Stream Program

Flood mitigation through the Clean Stream program is a cross-departmental initiative aimed at improving water flow and reducing stormwater runoff pollution. By clearing sediment, debris, and invasive growth from local streams, crews out in the field help to prevent flooding, high water table issues, and water stagnation in vulnerable neighborhoods.

Recent completed work included major cleanups along stream corridors in the Village of the Branch from Route 347 to the new footbridge along old Route 111 (near Mt. Pleasant Road), and off Terry Road in Nesconset (George St, Jerome St, Helene Ave, and Caroline Ave), where crews restored a blocked streambed to reestablish natural water flow.

The Clean Stream crew works hand-in-hand with residents, neighborhood associations, and village partners to maintain healthy, free-flowing waterways that serve as natural flood mitigation and filtration systems.

Smarter Repairs Through Advanced Camera Inspections

The Highway Department has also deployed specialty cameras, pipe crawlers, with fiber optic sensors to inspect underground infrastructure for damage—saving time, resources, and taxpayer dollars by spotting potential problems before they escalate.

In hamlets of St. James (the Numbered Avenues along Woodlawn heading west toward Lake Avenue) and in Commack (on Marie Crescent), crews used cameras to identify root intrusions, blockages, and potential pipe collapses, many of which could have caused severe road damage or flooding. In some cases, such as 7th Avenue in St. James, cameras detected a hidden sinkhole in time for crews to install a liner between manholes, avoiding excavation and a full road replacement. This damage could have eaten up a majority of the road programs budget had it not been identified and corrected.

At a sump location near Dana Lane in Commack, advanced camera inspections identified a potentially catastrophic infrastructure failure just in time. Had it gone unnoticed, the damage could have led to severe flooding and structural issues for nearby homes—resulting in an enormously expensive emergency repair. Thanks to swift action and proactive technology, the issue was stabilized before it escalated. This not only prevented a major financial burden on local homeowners, but also saved Smithtown taxpayers from footing the bill for extensive damage and remediation efforts. It’s a powerful example of how smart, preventative maintenance protects both the community and the public’s investment.

Preparing for Paving Season with Precision

With key repairs completed and infrastructure secured, the Highway Department is now preparing for its 2025 paving season, using data from inspections to prioritize roadwork based on urgency and long-term effectiveness. This proactive strategy not only makes roads safer and longer-lasting—it helps stretch taxpayer dollars further by preventing avoidable repairs and maximizing every mile paved.

Residents are encouraged to stay engaged by checking for updates on paving schedules and reporting any road concerns through the Town’s official website; SmithtownNY.gov or by contacting the Highway Department at 631-360-7500.

 

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The April 22 Smithtown Board of Education meeting. Photo by William Stieglitz

By William Stieglitz

At the April 22 meeting, the board of education for Smithtown Central School District voted unanimously to adopt the proposed 2025-2026 budget. Set at $294,998,455, it would be a 1.74% increase from last year’s approximate $290 million. According to Superintendent of Schools Mark Secaur, the budget will allow the continuation of existing programs, including summer learning, while also keeping class sizes within district policy parameters.

The proposed property tax levy is set at $225,253,356, a 2.66% increase from last year’s levy of approximately $219 million. This is the maximum allowable levy for the budget to require a simple majority to pass, as opposed to the over 60% that would be required were the cap exceeded. The tax limit is calculated primarily based on the rate of inflation but also includes factors such as the tax base growth for the area, the Payment in Lieu of Taxes receivable and the capital levy exclusion.

The budget’s other revenues are primarily from state aid and the school district’s reserves. Since the New York State budget has not yet been passed, missing the April 1 deadline for the fourth year in a row, it is unknown how much state aid the district will receive. The board, instead, based its calculations on Governor Kathy Hochul’s (D) executive state budget as proposed in January, predicting about $51 million in aid. Should the state budget exceed what was expected, the board’s plan will be not to change the expenditure budget, but rather to reduce the dependence on around $7.5 million dollars in reserves. 

These reserves include $3.65 million from the Employees’ Retirement System, $2.725 million from the Teacher’s Retirement System, $770,000 from Employee Benefit Accrued Liability and $400,000 from Workers’ Compensation Insurance. The use of this last reserve is a significant change from last years’ budget, which did not pull from it at all. The smallest reserve change, by contrast, is for EBAL, which sees the same amount used from it as last year. Employee benefits see decreases in Social Security and Medicaid but also increases in health insurance, with an overall $4.13 million rise in benefits.

There will be a budget hearing May 13 for community members to learn more about the budget. Then the vote for both the budget and board members will be May 20, with polls open from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. and locations including Nesconset Elementary, Accompsett Elementary and Smithtown Elementary schools. Smithtown residents must be registered with the Suffolk County Board of Election by May 13 in order to vote. 

If the proposed budget doesn’t pass, the board may resubmit either the same budget or a revised version for a second vote. If this fails too, the board would have to adopt a budget with no increase to the tax levy, resulting in an approximate revenue loss of $5.85 million. In this situation, the district would have to either include more reductions or withdraw more from its reserves.

For more information visit the school website: www.Smithtown.k12.ny.us.

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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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Ash and Ember
Ember
Ash
Ember
Ash

MEET ASH AND EMBER!

This week’s featured shelter pets are Ash and Ember, a stunning brother-sister duo up for adoption at the Smithtown Animal Shelter.

Both estimated to be approximately seven years old. Ash (male) and Ember (female) both boast beautiful brown tabby coats with adorably unique flecks of white patching. They found their way to the shelter after years of living in a home crowded with many other cats. Nothing would make these inseparable siblings happier than to bring warmth and sparkle to one lucky family’s heart and home.

Ash and Ember’s sweet and loving nature shines through to everyone lucky enough to meet them! While they may be a little shy at first, a gentle touch and a little patience are all it takes to earn their trust—and once you do, you’ll have two lifelong cuddle buddies. Not only are they absolutely stunning, but they’re also incredibly sweet, playful, and full of charm. Get ready for double the purrs, lap naps, and snuggles with this adorable duo! These two will keep you entertained for hours with their playful antics, filling your home with laughter, love, and endless joy. Ash and Ember are guaranteed to brighten your world!

Ash and Ember would thrive in most homes, including a family with other cats, older children and possibly dogs. They are a brother and sister who have never been separated and would do best if adopted together.

If you are interested in meeting Ash and Ember, please call ahead to schedule an hour to properly interact with them in the shelter’s Meet and Greet room.

The Town of Smithtown Animal & Adoption Shelter is located at 410 Middle Country Road, Smithtown. Visitor hours are Monday to Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. (Sundays and Wednesday evenings by appointment only). For more information, call 631-360-7575 or visit www.townofsmithtownanimalshelter.com.

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Suffolk County Legislator Rob Trotta presented his nominee and overall 2025 Suffolk County Woman of Distinction Kathy Albrecht with a proclamation signed by all 18 members of the Legislature. Photo from Leg. Trotta's office
Suffolk County Legislator Rob Trotta introduces his nominee and overall 2025 Suffolk County Woman of Distinction Kathy Albrecht (rear, left) as County Executive Edward Romaine (rear, center) and Legislator/Presiding Officer Kevin McCaffrey (rear, right), Chair of the Suffolk County Women’s Advisory Commission Twila Silverman and Director of the Office of Women’s Services Stacy Caggiano listen. Photo from Leg. Trotta's office
Pictured at the 2025 Woman of Distinction Celebration are Suffolk County Legislator Rob Trotta (center) with his nominee and overall winner, Kathy Albrecht, (right) and Adrienne Giannadeo his 2024 Woman of Distinction. Photo from Leg. Trotta's office

At the March 4 General Meeting of the Suffolk County Legislature, Kathy Albrecht, Legislator Rob Trotta’s nominee for the 2025 Woman of Distinction was announced as the person chosen by the Suffolk County Women’s Advisory Committee as the overall county wide 2025 Woman of Distinction. Each legislator selects one woman from their district as their Woman of Distinction who is then considered for this overall recognition.

Kathy was recognized for her commitment to and involvement with her family, friends and community. “She has been a role model for her two daughters and other women, as well as an inspiration to all,” said Legislator Rob Trotta.

She grew up in Westbury and then the family moved to Setauket where she graduated from Ward Melville High School. She enlisted in the Army where she served as a helicopter medic from 1980-1984. She met her husband, Dave, a marine, while in the service.

Kathy and Dave have lived in Smithtown for more than 40 years. She is Chief of Staff for New York State Assemblyman Mike Fitzpatrick and writes a column, Around Smithtown, for The Smithtown News. She is extremely involved in the community volunteering as a Sunday school teacher and director of Hospitality at the Grace Church in Smithtown, serves on the board of the Greater Smithtown Chamber of Commerce and is the treasurer, a trustee with the Smithtown Cemetery Association, a member of the American Legion Post 833, former trustee at the Smithtown Historical Society and active with many other organizations.

“Kathy is an integral member of her community, and she is passionate about the town and the people who live there,” said Legislator Trotta. “In fact, several years ago she donated one of her kidneys to a young woman whom she did not know but read about her need in The Smithtown News and saw it on News 12. Kathy volunteered to be tested as a match and was pleased when she found that she was compatible with the woman. Since that time, she has been an advocate for organ donations,” added Trotta.

She has been recognized by the Smithtown Children’s Foundation with its Courage Award, New York State Medal of Honor for The Gift of Life, named the Times of Smithtown Woman of the Year 2012 and the Smithtown Business & Professional Women’s “Network of Example.”

Legislator Trotta said, “I have known Kathy a long time and she is most deserving of this recognition. She shares her time and talent with many individuals and organizations helping to make the community a great place for all to live and work.”

 

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