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Times of Smithtown

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Breast cancer survivors in front of the new sign. Photo from Town of Smithtown
Breast cancer survivor Leslie Drake spoke at the event. Photo from Town of Smithtown
Declan Doyle, President of St. Catherine of Siena Hospital spoke at the event. Photo from Town of Smithtown
Members of the Commack Community, St. Catherine of Siena Hospital Administration and Breast Cancer Doctors, the Greater Commack Chamber of Commerce, Breast Cancer Survivors and the Town of Smithtown Administration pose before the newly erected sign announcing Phase 1 of Survivors Park at Valmont. Photo from Town of Smithtown

On Oct. 28, Commack community members and local businesses gathered together at Valmont Park for a special unveiling ceremony to kick off the upcoming construction of Survivors Park, a tribute and reflection space dedicated to breast cancer survivors and their loved ones. The Town of Smithtown hosted the event in partnership with St. Catherine of Siena Hospital, who donated $50,000 towards the project, and the Greater Commack Chamber of Commerce, to announce plans for Phase One, set to begin in Spring 2025.

“Survivors Park will be a reminder to every mother, daughter, sister, aunt, and niece that you will not fight alone. We are a special community. One that comes together in our darkest of hours, that celebrates together in our brightest and best days. The people you’ve heard from today are great stewards of this point. Together we can endure the unthinkable. Together we will celebrate the victories, big and small. Together we will build Survivors Park,” said Smithtown Town Supervisor Ed Wehrheim.

Community leaders such as NYS Senator Mario Mattera; Declan Doyle, President of St. Catherine of Siena Hospital; Dr. Jana Deitch, Breast Surgeon and Director of the Siena Breast Health Program at St. Catherine of Siena Hospital; Thomas Morrissey and Venise Mulé Smith from the Greater Commack Chamber of Commerce, Jeff Reiss of Morgan Stanley; and breast cancer survivor Leslie Drake, spoke at the event, expressing the park’s significance as a place of healing, reflection, and community strength.

The project’s initial phase was made possible courtesy of a $50,000 donation from St. Catherine of Siena Hospital, matched by the Town of Smithtown, and an additional $5,000 donation from Morgan Stanley. Over the course of the next few months, the Greater Commack Chamber of Commerce will facilitate additional donations from local businesses, and families who wish to support the vision behind the space. The support from these organizations underscores the community’s commitment to honoring survivors and supporting their families.

Survivors Park will serve as a permanent reminder of the strength and resilience of those impacted by breast cancer. Phase One of the park design includes a pathway shaped in the form of an Awareness Ribbon, creating a symbolic entrance near the playground. Future phases of the park will introduce benches, ornamental lighting, and a Reflection Pool to create a peaceful, reflective space for visitors. Lush landscaping with native flowers and cherry blossom trees will enhance the space, offering year-round beauty.

The sign unveiling drew a large crowd of Commack residents and local businesses, who gathered to celebrate this meaningful addition to Valmont Park. The ceremony, held during Breast Cancer Awareness month, was a touching reminder of the community’s dedication to its members, providing strength to those impacted by breast cancer.

 

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Police car. Stock photo

Suffolk County Police Fourth Squad detectives are investigating a two-car crash that injured a man and
his three children in one car and seriously injured the driver of the other vehicle in Saint James on Oct. 29.

Jean Rendel was driving a 2004 Honda Accord westbound on Middle Country Road, approaching the
intersection of Lake Avenue, when the vehicle struck a 2024 Chevrolet Sonic that had been traveling
eastbound and was attempting to turn left onto Lake Avenue at approximately 6 p.m.

The driver of the Chevrolet, Marek Dekornic, 68, of Port Jefferson, was transported to Stony Brook
University Hospital for treatment of serious injuries. Rendel, 40, of Coram, and his three children, ages
7, 9 and 11, were transported to the same hospital for treatment of minor injuries.

Both vehicles were impounded for safety checks. Detectives are asking anyone with information on the
crash to contact the Fourth Squad at 631-854-8452.

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Photo from Suffolk County SPCA

Detectives from the Suffolk County SPCA charged a Smithtown woman with animal cruelty on Oct. 26 for confining her six dogs inside an unsanitary and rotting old home.

Roy Gross, Chief of the Suffolk County SPCA, said that it’s detectives charged Lisa A. Watt, 55, of Smithtown after a search warrant executed on a Kings Park home on Old Commack Road now deemed unfit for occupancy by code officials.

Six dogs were removed with the assistance of Smithtown Animal control officers from the conditions inside. The walls were covered in grime, filth with black discoloration and spiderwebs. A portion of the first floor dining room ceiling was collapsed into the room, the second floor bedroom had the roof collapsed into the floor where the sky was visible from indoors. The floor was bare wood with the finish scratched off in the traversable portions of the interior where urine and feces were permeated into the wood, the kitchen had four dogs confined to it with feces and urine strewn about and tiles discolored with the same.

The air was noxious and the overwhelming odor of ammonia, rot, urine, and feces was so pungent that it caused officers to cough, gag, and not tolerate long periods of time inside the home. There was no running water or power accessible indoors. A seventh dog found decomposing inside will undergo forensic examination at the Animal Health Diagnostic Center at Cornell University in Ithaca, NY.

After a lengthy investigation charges have been filed. Watt was arrested by detectives on October 26 at 12:20 p.m. in Smithtown at a relatives home. She was charged with six counts of Animal Cruelty and six counts of Neglecting an Impounded Animal and later released from the Suffolk County Police Department Fourth Precinct after being processed by Suffolk County SPCA detectives.

Animal cruelty will not be tolerated in Suffolk County. If you witness any incident of animal cruelty or neglect in Suffolk County please contact the Suffolk County SPCA at (631) 382-7722.

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'Sunny Walk' by Gisela Skoglund
'Wild Roses' by Gisela Skoglund
'Castle Hill Lighthouse' by Gisela Skoglund
'Bucolic' by Gisela Skoglund

Smithtown Township Arts Council has announced that the works of Kings Park artist Gisela Skoglund will be on view at Apple Bank of Smithtown, 91 Route 111, Smithtown from Oct. 28 to Jan. 3. The exhibition, part of the Arts Council’s Outreach Gallery Program, may be viewed during regular banking hours Monday to Thursday from 9 a.m.to 4 p.m., Friday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Skoglund’s life has taken her through many artistic expressions. Early on her original passion was for oil on canvas. In high school she was awarded a scholarship to Pratt Institute where she pursued advertising art.

All her endeavors have brought her to the use of painting in a wide variety of mediums including watercolor, acrylic, oil pastel, pen, and ink. Skoglund’s inspirations come from the beauty of nature and other sights which appear in everyday life. She has exhibited her work in juried and invitational shows across Long Island. “I find that painting transports me to a place where time is forgotten, and I am totally immersed in creativity,” she said.

STAC is grateful to Apple Bank for its continued support of culture in our communities.

Smithtown Township Arts Council is a 501 (c) (3) not-for-profit organization.

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Photo from MetroCreative Connection

With deer rutting season upon us, it’s crucial to remember that while these creatures nibbling on our properties or suddenly running in front of our vehicles can be irritating, they were here first.

Tens of thousands of deer call our Island home. This delicate ecosystem relies on their presence — perhaps not an overabundance, but a presence nonetheless. They influence the types of trees and vegetation that grow here by selectively browsing certain plants, meaning they eat some species more than others. They also contribute to overall biodiversity.

If we’re concerned about our gardens, we can try fencing, netting or chicken wire around problematic areas. If a deer runs toward our car at night, we should stay calm and do our best to drive straight, brake firmly and blow the horn, protecting both the vehicle’s passengers and the deer. Above all, we must not feed them. Not only is it dangerous to the deer’s health, but it also increases elopement rates and puts us in harm’s way. Deer may be gentle but can become aggressive when approached. If they learn that food is available in a specific area, they’ll return with friends, perpetuating a cycle of overpopulation in densely populated areas.

While the Island’s abundance of deer can be a nuisance, rutting — or mating season — is a natural part of this species’ biological function. They have added beauty and importance to our region since the days of our Setalcott predecessors.

They aren’t trying to hurt us or harm our land; they are simply following their instincts.

So let’s remain calm this rutting season. There are only two months of this hyperactivity among our deer, after which everything will return to business as usual.

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One of Sweetbriar Nature Center’s permanent residents. Photo courtesy of Sweetbriar Nature Center.
One of Sweetbriar Nature Center’s permanent residents. Photo courtesy of Sweetbriar Nature Center.
One of Sweetbriar Nature Center’s permanent residents. Photo courtesy of Sweetbriar Nature Center.
One of Sweetbriar Nature Center’s permanent residents. Photo courtesy of Sweetbriar Nature Center.

By Jennifer Donatelli

Who-o-o do you hear calling from the trees at night? 

If you were one of the visitors who attended “Owl Prowl Sunday” at Sweetbriar Nature Center on Oct. 20, you may have seen and heard from the resident owls that make their home at the preserve. The nighttime event, held from 6-8 p.m. at the center’s Smithtown location, allowed attendees to meet and learn about owls before embarking on a walk into the darkness of the night to call out to some of these nocturnal birds.

Using flashlights to walk Sweetbriar’s grounds, viewers attempted to observe these birds in their natural habitat.

“During this time of year,” Elizabeth Santosus, Chairman of the Board of Sweetbriar Nature Center explained, “owls are looking for their perfect match, and scouting territories to raise their young.”

Santosus further explained how owls share a sort of “love language,” which can be heard through hoots, chuckles and caws, and differs between species of the bird.

Sweetbriar Nature Center is a non-profit organization that encourages responsible decision making, appreciation and respect for the unique wildlife and ecosystems found on Long Island. The Nature Center is situated on 54 acres of varied garden, woodland, field and wetland habitats, along the Nissequogue River. Hundreds of species of plants and animals call this preserve their home.

In addition to this mission, the Steven Goldman Wildlife Rehabilitation Clinic, which operates out of the center, provides quality medical care and rehabilitation for all injured, sick and orphaned wildlife. Its staff and volunteers, who receive hundreds of calls a day about distressed or injured wildlife, treat more than 2,000 animals — including raptors, rabbits and songbirds — a year.

“Everything that we do here is for the benefit of the animals,” explains Sweetbriar Curator and Wildlife Rehabilitation Director Janine Bendicksen.

“Many of the animals that get brought in to us are often at death’s door, sick enough that they allow a human to pick them up,” she continued.

Around 100 of Sweetbriar’s permanent residents are animals that are permanently injured or otherwise unreleasable. A few birds, including a great horned owl named Lily, have been there  over 20 years.

“A lot of people unfortunately don’t know what’s going on in their own backyard, or how to treat nature or wildlife. Sweetbriar does a tremendous service [in educating the public] through their programming, both in person and also through their social media, which has a global following,” said Maureen Calamia, a Sweetbriar board member. 

Whether you want to learn about metamorphosis and butterflies, explore the treasures of the tropical rainforest or examine predator/prey relationships, Sweetbriar Nature Center has a program for it. The center conducts live programs at schools and libraries designed to facilitate student participation through the use of live animals, hands-on activities and interactive experiences. 

With only four dedicated staff members, Sweetbriar relies on the ongoing support of volunteers and donors. There is never a charge to come and visit, but donations are always appreciated.

To learn more about the programs at Sweetbriar, or to sign up for an event, visit www.sweetbriarnc.org

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Head of the Harbor village trustee and neighborhood preservation coalition spokesperson, Judy Ogden, speaks in favor of a lawsuit aimed at delaying the Gyrodyne subdivision approval on the Flowerfield site. Photo by Chris Mellides

A recent court decision found that the environmental review of the proposed Gyrodyne development plan met the minimum legal requirements, but the legal battle is far from over, according to members of the Saint James – Head of the Harbor Neighborhood Preservation Coalition. The coalition, along with the Village of Head of the Harbor and local property owners, filed a lawsuit challenging the review. Meanwhile, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation is finalizing appraisals to acquire portions of the property for preservation as open space.

“The fight to preserve this important parcel as open space is not over,” said Judy Ogden, a Village of Head of the Harbor trustee and spokesperson for the coalition. “We plan to appeal the recent court decision. More importantly, the DEC is continuing efforts to acquire Flowerfield Fairgrounds for preservation.”

The Gyrodyne site is located near several farms and includes land in the Mills Pond National Historic District. The proposed development includes a 125-room hotel, 175,000 square feet of office space, 250 assisted living units, a sewage treatment plant and parking for over 2,500 vehicles. These elements require special approvals from the Smithtown Town Board, as they are not allowed under current zoning regulations.

Smithtown’s recently updated Comprehensive Plan recommends that assisted living facilities be located in designated areas, not near residential neighborhoods. It also states that mixed-use projects like the Gyrodyne plan should be developed in business districts, not along highways.

“Based on sound planning principles alone, the town has the authority to reject the Gyrodyne development,” Ogden said. “This project would overwhelm St. James and Head of the Harbor with traffic and damage water quality in Stony Brook Harbor.”

The coalition and local officials have long opposed the development. In 2021, the group expressed support for converting the entire site into a park. If that wasn’t possible, they supported a compromise to preserve the 48-acre Flowerfield Fairgrounds as open space while allowing limited development on land already occupied by buildings.

Severe flooding

After the Smithtown Planning Board approved the subdivision on March 30, 2022, the coalition and 23 local property owners filed a lawsuit, arguing the environmental review was inadequate.

“The review process was not thorough,” said Joseph Bollhofer, a member of the coalition. “It didn’t seriously consider public input and failed to account for severe weather events.”

On Aug. 19, a 10-inch rainfall caused severe flooding around the Gyrodyne site, forcing the closure of Route 25A for three days.

“Even with most of the property undeveloped, the flooding was enough to burst the dam at Stony Brook Mill Pond,” Bollhofer said. “If Gyrodyne’s development had been in place, experts say it could have destroyed the historic Stony Brook Grist Mill.”

Bollhofer added that the coalition plans to challenge the court decision, citing the review’s failure to account for the increasing frequency of severe storms.

“The community’s support for our legal efforts is a testament to the widespread opposition to this development,” Ogden said. “We will continue to work with the DEC and local officials to preserve Flowerfield Fairgrounds for future generations.”

Local elected officials, including Suffolk County Executive Ed Romaine (R) and county Legislators Steve Englebright (D-Setauket) and Rob Trotta (R-Fort Salonga), have all opposed the Gyrodyne subdivision and expressed strong support for preserving the site.

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19th Annual Halloweekend at Hoyt Farm. Photo courtesy of Town of Smithtown
19th Annual Halloweekend at Hoyt Farm. Photo courtesy of Town of Smithtown
19th Annual Halloweekend at Hoyt Farm. Photo courtesy of Town of Smithtown
19th Annual Halloweekend at Hoyt Farm. Photo courtesy of Town of Smithtown
19th Annual Halloweekend at Hoyt Farm. Photo courtesy of Town of Smithtown
19th Annual Halloweekend at Hoyt Farm. Photo courtesy of Town of Smithtown

Hoyt Farm Nature Preserve hosted its highly anticipated 19th Annual Halloweekend on Oct. 19 and 20. The beloved event, which has become a cornerstone of the Smithtown community, attracted approximately 2000 residents over the two-day celebration.

As one of the town’s most popular annual events, Halloweekend traditionally sells out without the need for advertising, and this year was no exception.

Families delighted in the array of seasonal activities that transformed the nature preserve into a spooktacular wonderland. From games and prizes to live entertainment, delicious fall fare, and an array of food options, there was no shortage of fun for attendees.

“My grandkids talk about this event all month long beforehand. They don’t want to leave the preserve at the end of the day and neither do I if I’m being completely honest. Jeff Gumin and his amazing team at Hoyt Farm devote months of planning, preparation, building and implementing Halloweekend each year. They put every ounce of heart and soul into treating everyone, like a member of their family. They truly manage to outdo the previous year every year… it’s a real testament to how much they adore caring for the preserve and the guests who visit,” said Smithtown Town Supervisor Ed Wehrheim.

Every year, the dedicated team at Hoyt Farm Nature Preserve creates a magical atmosphere filled with classic Halloween fun. From hayrides and pumpkin picking to spooky games, face painting, crafts, scavenger hunts, and an unforgettable haunted house, the event has something for everyone. Staff members join in the festivities, donning themed costumes to greet children and parents alike, many of whom arrive dressed in their own Halloween best.

The staff at Hoyt Farm prides themselves on making Halloweekend a memorable experience for all who attend. Their mission is simple: to create a festival where adults can feel like kids again, and children can transform into superheroes, mythical creatures, or whatever their imaginations dream up.

The Hoyt Farm Halloweekend is exclusive to Smithtown residents, offering a wide variety of games, crafts, and entertainment that bring the community together each fall.

For more information about Hoyt Farm, please visit them online or call 631-543-7804.

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File photo by Raymond Janis

By Lauren Feldman

At its Oct. 17 meeting, the Smithtown Town Board announced the 2025 preliminary town budget.

“I am pleased to present the 2025 tentative budget, which is both balanced and under the tax cap, despite years of inflation, national economic climate and costly unfunded state mandates that are forced upon local municipalities to manage,” said Supervisor Ed Wehrheim (R).

The supervisor said over the last year, the town completed significant upgrades to popular facilities. 

“I am pleased to report that our path will continue forward to complete the total renovation of the Smithtown park system — expanding open-space preservation, tree planting and inventory efforts,” he said.

The town is also making efforts to increase cybersecurity and disability accessibility. 

“We have accomplished all of this despite a 16.6 percent increase to health care insurance, New York State retirement contributions, minimum wage and other state mandates with over $2 million added in operating costs solely for health care insurance for our union employees,” Wehrheim continued. 

“These vital investments have already proven to be a benefit for our community and will continue well into the future.” 

The supervisor thanked his fellow town officers for their tireless work on the budget proposal. 

The budget has been balanced with a focus on quality of life, which includes prioritizing essential services and local infrastructure. 

The budget will result in a $29.60 increase for the average household for the year, which is under the tax cap limit.

An additional $3 million will be bonded for highway repaving and drainage projects. 

Solid waste residential fees will increase by $4 from $540. The increase includes leaf and brush removal.

The supervisor also addressed the state’s minimum wage increase, set to take place in 2025, which will consequently increase the cost of services the town uses. 

Extremely difficult budget

However, no reserve funds were used to balance the budget. “I will add that this was an extremely difficult budget,” Wehrheim said. “It gets more and more difficult every year.”

He said that increases and pressures from the state have contributed to the stress of the budget. While he was proud of the team for coming in with an increase under the tax cap, this may be even more challenging next year.

“I think you will find that getting more difficult for next year, but we’ll see what happens,” the supervisor said. “Perhaps the economy improves. But we did our due diligence, and I think we produced a budget that’s very fair to the Smithtown taxpayer while continuing to provide all the services that we do.”

At the end of the budget presentation, John Savoretti, came forward to say, “As a resident and business owner in Smithtown, I felt it was important for me to come out and thank you for the hard work that you did keeping this [budget] under the cap.”

Wehrheim thanked Savoretti for his kind words. “This was a lot of hard work by our department heads, our Comptroller’s Office and this Town Board. It was not easy to achieve at all, but we strived to achieve it and we made it work.” 

The tentative 2025 budget is posted on the town’s website at www.smithtownny.gov. 

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File photo

By Toni-Elena Gallo

Deer rutting may not be a common term to all, but it is important to understand this time of year.

Rutting is a behavioral pattern of deer, in which male deer — bucks — chase does. It is triggered by autumn’s decreasing daylight, which causes an increase in hormones for both bucks and does. The season begins in October and ends in early winter.

According to DMV data compiled by AAA Northeast, 2022’s mating season accounted for nearly 37,000 car crashes in New York state, where an “animal’s actions” was listed as a contributing factor — most of which involved deer. Additionally in 2022, Suffolk County ranked sixth among the state’s 62 counties with the most animal-related crashes, at 1,216. Deer-related crashes in Suffolk can see a significant increase this time of year, often cited as between 50% and 75% higher than other months. Most accidents have been found to occur during afternoon rush hour, as well as dusk.

With over 30,000 deer in Suffolk County alone, North Shore residents are advised to stay especially vigilant when driving down major roadways, such as Route 347, as deer frequently dart out into oncoming traffic.

The NYS Department of Transportation urges drivers to brake firmly, but not swerve if a deer runs in front of your vehicle. Swerving can cause a vehicle-to-vehicle collision, or cause the vehicle to strike a pedestrian or fixed object, such as a tree or utility pole — which reinforces the need for reduced speeds this time of year. Additionally, it is crucial to not approach a wounded deer as it may be frightened and potentially dangerous.

Alert 911 if a deer crossing creates a roadblock, as it can become a serious threat to oncoming traffic.

Ironically, with the increased creation of edge habitats, or transition zones between forest and open areas, deer have been provided with abundant food and shelter, dramatically increasing their Suffolk population, as a result. This is among a host of factors which has driven the North Shore’s deer population in recent years, including reduced hunting.

“We don’t have a natural predator for deer, so their numbers are increasing with no control,” Isabel Fernandes, of Sweetbriar Nature Center in Smithtown, said back in 2019. “Also, various towns and communities aren’t allowing hunting.” 

In recent years, the villages of Port Jefferson and Belle Terre are two local governments that have considered amping up culling efforts, to reduce deer’s impact on our ecosystem and traffic.

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