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Smithtown Town Board meeting

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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 Raymond Janis

By Peter Sloniewsky

On Sept. 19, the Smithtown Town Board met to discuss a variety of matters.

Key highlights included the appointment of a new town historian, preparations for a November 5K charity event and a number of transfers and bids aimed at improving town services. 

The meeting opened with the appointment of Richard Smith as town historian, along with the establishment of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention 5K. The event will take place on Nov. 9 with a rain date of Nov. 23.

The board also advertised a hearing to be held on Nov. 5 to discuss amendments to the zoning portion of the town code. 

The bulk of the meeting focused on several resolutions involving the town’s budget and financial management. The board approved a variety of transfers between accounts involving work in the Recreation, Highways, and Public Works departments. One notable resolution, RES-2024-887, involved the transfer of more than $20,000 stemming from several accounts, for recreational services, specifically, with regards to public pools. 

The board then moved to approve a number of bids. After announcing open bidding for urban-forestry services, bids for animal shelter supplies and screened sand for ice and snow control were awarded to local contractors. Additionally, the TOS accepted a bid of $42,800 for repairs to the Smithtown Boat Ramp, and a purchase order for $115,795, to repair the town hall elevator.

Moreover, the Highway Superintendent was authorized to work with National Grid regarding the Commack Gas Replacement Project, involving the replacement of gas pipelines. 

The meeting concluded with a number of appointments and reappointments.

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Smithtown Town Board meets on March 21 to discuss Comprehensive Plan. Photo by Sabrina Artusa

By Sabrina Artusa

Smithtown Town Board held a public meeting March 21 to review the master Comprehensive Plan and receive feedback from residents.

In partnership with H2M architects + engineers of Melville, the town began developing the plan in 2019 with the intention of updating zoning districts to reflect future land-use development and preservation goals. Since then, the town has held several public outreach meetings to garner feedback on the plan. 

Lisa Rickmers, senior environmental planner at H2M, said the new plan will “allow us to set goals and ambitions for the town” and that “there was a very careful hand taken to the zoning maps of the town.”

The last master Comprehensive Plan was adopted in 1957. The new 257-page plan dissects the suggested changes and the purpose for each. No changes were made to residential zones, but several areas were rezoned from light to heavy. The plan also emphasized values such as “transit-oriented development” to encourage diverse modes of transportation, ranging from biking to walking, downtown economic viability and improving and preserving residential options. 

After Rickmers’ presentation, the public was invited to voice opinions and recommendations. The chief concern, as garnered from the speakers, was preservation of green space and preventing overdevelopment caused by rezoning, specifically in areas in Kings Park.

One resident pointed out to the board that language around the zoning of an area east of Kings Park Road was too imprecise. This area has been a subject of concern to residents in the past, who have suggested it remain zoned as is. The town wrote in a 2021 planning advisory report that “given the site’s relative proximity to downtown Kings Park, the town may consider allowing multifamily development at this location if it would provide a public benefit and would not create significant adverse environmental impacts.”

“I feel the Comprehensive Plan leaves it a little too open for developers to come in and either take the vague language … and really take advantage of it,” the speaker said. “I think we should iron out what those viable proposals are and what criteria needs to be for there to be a public benefit before we can make the determination as to whether we should be going forward building there.”

Referring to this same area, another citizen said that the deer population  is flourishing in numbers he hasn’t seen in 25 years, and that he wants to see “farms conserved” and “industrial zones left alone.” The town intends to keep the area zoned as R-21, or single-family residential, but to further develop it. 

Two speakers protested the rezoning of 11.5 acres along Old Northport Road from light industrial (LI) to heavy industrial (HI). 

“By allowing any more industry in that area, that plume is going to get worse and worse,” one resident said.

The original plan proposed changing 105 acres to heavy industrial, but was changed to 11.5 after receiving public feedback. According to the 2021 planning advisory report, “The town has a need for heavy industrial acreage, in order to provide necessary and desired community services … HI is an appropriate zone for this location because it is between existing HI-zoned land and the railroad and is more than 500 feet from Townline Road and all residential uses.”

The current plan states that heavy industrial aligns more with how the area is currently being used, citing a soccer complex and solar farm. Further, the plan mentioned potentially introducing an indoor organic waste processing facility to the area.

The period for public comment is open until April 5, thereupon the Town Board will finalize revisions. The board will discuss adopting the plan at its April 18 meeting.

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File photo by Raymond Janis

By Raymond Janis

During its Thursday, Nov. 16, meeting, the Smithtown Town Board approved two code amendments. It also held a public hearing on its 2024 community development program.

Assistant town attorney Janice Hansen explained the first code amendment, including stricter noise violation penalties. The amendment increases the fine for first-time violators of Chapter 207, entitled “Noise,” from $250 to $500. The penalties for second- and third-or-more-offense noise violations go up from $500 to $1,000 and $1,000 to $1,500, respectively. Hansen said the town may enforce the noise code in residential and commercial areas.

Following no public comments, the board unanimously adopted the amendment.

The second proposed code change involved an addition to Chapter 221, the town’s property maintenance code. Hansen said the new section, “Post-disaster debris collection,” empowers the town to move more swiftly during emergencies.

The amendment authorizes the town to “enter upon and remove debris from public and private roads, right-of-way, storm drainage easements and ingress/egress easements within town limits,” the statute said, “including private communities, private properties, utilities and/or infrastructure impoundments and/or containments for the purposes of emergency vehicle travel, stormwater conveyance, protecting public health and safety, facilitating response and recovery operations, and for any other purpose the Town Emergency Manager or designee determines is necessary to remove an immediate threat to life, public health and safety, significant damage to improved public and private property, and the economic recovery of the town.”

Hansen said that to enter private property, the town must first obtain consent from the property owner through a right-of-entry permit. Following no comments from the public, the board adopted the resolution unanimously.

The board considered the town’s 2024 community development program during the final public hearing. The municipality anticipates receiving roughly $211,000 through federal Community Development Block Grant programs, according to a public notice.

The grant funds, made available by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, are intended to support “infrastructure, economic development projects, public facilities installation, community centers, housing rehabilitation, public services, clearance/acquisition, microenterprise assistance, code enforcement and homeowner assistance,” the HUD website indicates.

Kelly Brown, housing rehabilitation administrator for the town’s Planning & Community Development Department, presented the aims of the 2024 program. She said projects under consideration must fulfill two conditions.

“Every project must qualify as a designated eligible activity, such as housing rehabilitation, infrastructure improvement or handicapped access improvements,” she said, adding, “Every project must meet one of three specifically defined CD program objectives,” which are benefiting people of low-to-moderate income, prevention or elimination of blighting conditions or meeting an urgent community need, such as storm damage cleanup.

To watch the full meeting, including the consent agenda and board resolutions, visit www.smithtownny.gov/226/town-meetings.

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File photo by Raymond Janis

By Raymond Janis

During a general meeting at Town Hall, the Smithtown Town Board adopted its annual budget totaling $129.6 million for 2024 Tuesday afternoon, Nov. 7.

Spending increased 2.76%, with the average homeowner to see a roughly $30 tax increase in the year ahead. 2024 road program funding remains consistent with previous years, with the town investing $5.2 million for roadway improvements. And the fee for residential solid waste will increase by $10.

For a detailed report of the various FY24 appropriations, visit the town website.

Land use

The board approved the site plan for the property at the northeast corner of Lake Avenue and Woodlawn Avenue in St. James.

The board approved the site plan for a new 7-Eleven on the property, subject to eight conditions. Peter Hans, the town’s planning director, outlined the various conditions, which include proper permitting, fencing and preservation of existing vegetation and a provision for a site plan addendum application for modification to the proposed architecture, among other criteria.

“The proposal is to demolish the existing bank building that’s on the property and replace it with a new 7-Eleven building that’s slightly larger than the existing building in roughly the same location,” Hans said.

Another condition will be prohibiting the sale of vape and hookah products at the location. Hans noted that the property owners are complying with the conditions. Following the presentation, the Town Board approved the new 7-Eleven site plan.

Enforcement proceedings

The board also heard two public hearings to consider separate entries onto two properties. Martin Simon, assistant town attorney, presented photographs of the conditions at 422 Lake Ave. S. in Nesconset.

“There’s been a constant accumulation of junk, rubbish and debris at the site,” Simon said. “An attempt was made by the homeowner in early September to mow the grass, but that’s about as far as she got. Since then, there’s been no progress.”

Following the hearing, the board agreed to let the town enter the property to remove and remediate the rubbish, debris, tall grass, weeds and overgrown vegetation on-site.

In a separate hearing, the board considered entering the property of 769 Middle Country Road in St. James to remove an “unsafe structure” on the property. Following a discussion with counsel representing the property owner, the board agreed not to enter the property for now.

Dog park

During the public comment period, multiple residents expressed concerns with the town-operated dog park behind The Smithtown Library.

Resident Anne Hoffman referred to the conditions at the dog park as “in such disrepair, it’s almost dangerous to go there.”

Following the commentary regarding the complex, Supervisor Ed Wehrheim (R) advised the concerned residents that he would arrange a meeting with them to discuss future remediation.

The Town Board will meet again on Thursday, Nov. 16, with scheduled public hearings to amend sections of the Town Code related to noise and property maintenance.

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File photo by Raymond Janis

By Raymond Janis

The Smithtown Town Board was back before the public Tuesday afternoon, Oct. 3, for a brief meeting covering an environmental review and the town’s open burning policy.

The board issued a determination of nonsignificance under the State Environmental Quality Review Act for the application for site plan approval by Cox Industries LLC on Old Northport Road, located 60 feet west of Sunken Meadow Parkway in Kings Park.

During the public comment period, resident Michael Rosado rejected the negative SEQRA declaration, claiming the property has had numerous code violations. “Before site plan approval is given to this gentleman or to anybody, those infractions should be remedied,” he said.

Rosado also claimed that open burning has occurred at multiple sites within the Kings Park industrial area, noting that one nearby landscaper has been collecting debris and burning it. “The Smithtown fire marshal was called numerous times,” Rosado said, adding that “the ashes were landing on the vehicles” stored at a neighboring property.

“The Town Code … strictly says that no kindling is allowed on private property in the Town of Smithtown,” he added. “I just hope that this board will address that issue so the open burning stops in the industrial area.”

Responding to Rosado’s inquiries, town Supervisor Ed Wehrheim (R) said, “The town attorney has made notes referencing the site plan, and we are aware of that burning situation and working on it with state [Department of Environmental Conversation].”

The Town Board will reconvene on Thursday, Oct. 19, at 7 p.m. for a public hearing to consider the 2024 preliminary budget and a separate public hearing to consider amendments to the zoning code.

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Suffolk County Police Department 4th Precinct Inspector David Regina updates the Smithtown Town Board on local crime trends during a public meeting Thursday, Sept. 21, at Town Hall. Photo by Raymond Janis

By Raymond Janis

The Smithtown Town Board convened Thursday afternoon, Sept. 21, for a public meeting covering public safety, walkability and downtown revitalization.

Public safety

Suffolk County Police Department 4th Precinct Inspector David Regina delivered the department’s public safety report, alerting the community to ongoing crime trends.

Following a stabbing at Millers Pond in Smithtown [see story, “Man stabbed at Millers Pond in Smithtown,” Aug. 26, TBR News Media], Regina said the victim was transported to a local hospital and has survived his injuries.

“This is an assault that is out of the ordinary for that area,” he said. “I do feel confident in saying that I don’t feel that this is a threat to the area of that community.”

Regina referred to 2023 as “a rough year in the 4th Precinct for fatal motor vehicle crashes,” which he said have “run the gamut between pedestrian, standard motor vehicle crashes, motorcycle crashes, bicycle crashes” and accidents involving scooters.

Reporting on a recent fatal accident on Harned Road in Commack involving the death of Ilona Kaydanov, a 22-year-old pedestrian [see story, “Jogger killed in Commack crash, two others injured,” Aug. 31, TBR News Media], Regina said the 4th Squad had investigated the accident, noting, “There does not appear to be any criminality involved.”

The inspector stressed the need for pedestrians to cross roadways at crosswalks, adding that “pedestrians under New York State law are required to walk or jog against the flow of traffic.”

Purse theft — a local crime phenomenon often involving the theft of one’s credit cards at retail spaces — remains pervasive within the 4th Precinct, Regina said. [See story, “Shopping spree: Thieves targeting handbags, wallets at Suffolk County retail stores,” Aug. 24, TBR News Media.]

He reported that this theft crime variety has occurred primarily around the Smith Haven Mall, advising shoppers to “secure your things securely.”

He noted that multiple incidents have included a co-conspirator, with one criminal creating a diversion while another robs an unsuspecting victim’s shopping cart.

SCPD “were able to identify one suspect, and I’m happy to say we cleared three of those cases last week, and we were able to charge that gentleman with several counts of criminal possession of stolen property,” Regina reported.

Sideshows and street races remain an ongoing crime phenomenon countywide. Regina reported a recent sideshow gathering of 250 cars at the Walmart parking lot on Garet Place in Commack.

“These get very raucous,” he said. “They were throwing fireworks in the direction of the police officers who were responding. These are officer safety concerns for us.”

While the department has moderately succeeded in dispersing some of these sideshow events, the inspector suggested the matter is unresolved.

The Hauppauge Fire Department will host a community gathering on Thursday, Sept. 28, at 6:30 p.m. at 855 Wheeler Road to discuss the sideshow issue and its community impacts.

Downtown revitalization

Allyson Murray, principal planner in the Smithtown Planning & Community Department, delivered a presentation on a grant application for New York State downtown revitalization funds through the state’s Downtown Revitalization Initiative and the NY Forward grant programs.

Murray considered Kings Park an ideal candidate for these funds due to its substantial retail and civic spaces, compact size, centrally located Long Island Rail Road station and recent public and private investment.

“The vision is to attract public and private investment to enhance the character of downtown Kings Park,” Murray said, hoping to create “a vibrant and walkable Main Street business district with diverse mixed-use development.”

The proposal seeks to leverage existing community assets, such as the LIRR station, new sewer infrastructure and proximity to major employment centers, such as the Hauppauge Industrial Park and Stony Brook University.

Murray shared a draft list of projects to be included in the application. She encouraged community members to send ideas for other proposals by email to [email protected].

Harned Road proposal

In the wake of the recent roadway fatality, Commack resident Kevin Feit asked the board to consider several pedestrian safety enhancements on Harned Road between Vanderbilt Motor Parkway and Veterans Memorial Highway.

“Currently, there are sidewalks in some sections of Harned Road, but they abruptly end,” Feit indicated. “Where there is no sidewalk, the shoulder is extremely narrow in some places and can be completely taken up by a sewer grate.”

Given these existing conditions, Feit suggested the current roadway to be “impassable for a wheelchair or stroller.” He added that while the speed limit on Harned is 30 mph, vehicles regularly exceed 40 mph due to long stretches between traffic signals.

“Sidewalks would provide several benefits to the community,” he said, among these being public safety, environmental friendliness and walkability to nearby shopping centers and parks.

The Town Board will reconvene Tuesday, Oct. 3, at 2 p.m.

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Resident William Holtz addresses members of the Smithtown Town Board during a public meeting Tuesday, Sept. 5, at Town Hall. Photo by Raymond Janis

By Raymond Janis

The Town of Smithtown Town Board convened Tuesday afternoon, Sept. 5, for a brief meeting spanning code and local parks.

The board adopted sweeping changes to Part I of the Town Code, which deals with administrative legislation. Jennifer Juengst, assistant town attorney, outlined the motivations behind the proposed code amendments.

“The town has been in the position of revising large portions of the code, and at this point, Part I has some pieces that are ready to adopt,” she said.

The code amendment removes several boards, commissions and committees from the Town Code. Among these are the Building and Planning Review Board, the Fire Prevention and Code Review Board, the Historical Advisory Board, the Human Rights Commission, the Industrial Advisory Board, the Medical Board of Trustees, the Recycling Committee, the Substance Abuse Prevention Council, the Tenant Selection Advisory Committee and the Traffic Safety Board.

The amendment also removes several policies from the Town Code, such as the computer policy, the drug-free workplace policy, the equal employment opportunity policy, hearing conservation policy, investment policy, sexual and other harassment policy and workplace violence prevention policy.

“These policies will be removed from the code, but they will remain in effect throughout the town,” Juengst indicated.

During the public comment period, resident William Holtz addressed plans for the forthcoming annual budget, asking board members to consider appropriating funds to keep town pools and splash parks in operation following Labor Day.

“I feel that each year, we’re seeing more summerlike weather in September,” he told the board. “I would suggest that you think in terms of … a sunshine fund for next year that would allow for the pools to be open and for people to continue to enjoy the warmth of the summer.”

Resident Irwin Izen was back before the board Tuesday following a back-and-forth last month with town Supervisor Ed Wehrheim (R) over the prolonged closure of Callahan Beach in Fort Salonga [See story, “Smithtown Town Board discusses Callahan Beach closure …” Aug. 12, TBR News Media].

Izen said he had recently walked the beach and reported that “progress is being made on the beach.” He nonetheless maintained that “there was no consultation with the [New York State Department of Environmental Conservation] early on on this project, and I find that to be an error,” he said.

To watch the entire meeting, please visit www.smithtownny.iqm2.com/citizens/Default.aspx. The Town Board will reconvene on Thursday, Sept. 21, at 2 p.m.

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