Tags Posts tagged with "Three Village Civic Association"

Three Village Civic Association

by -
0 3459
Setauket Neighborhood House

By Sabrina Artusa 

In 2024, The Setauket Neighborhood House board of directors installed security cameras in the interior and exterior of the building, incurring pushback from community members who rent rooms in the house. 

The non-profit community center can be rented out for events, club meetings, art exhibitions and gatherings, given the person signs a contract agreeing to a series of stipulations, and is open to the public within operating hours. Mention of the security cameras, which have audio capabilities, is absent from the rental contract and there are no signs on the premises. 

Although the cameras have been installed for months now, some residents, in the midst of a meeting they rented the room for, became aware of them after one of the cameras played audio stating that recording was in progress. Three Village Civic Association President Charlie Tramontana empathized with the need for security, but was uncomfortable with the audio recording. “A reasonable expectation is that you are not going to be audio recorded,” he said, adding he hoped to speak with a member of the board to help abate the growing community upset. 

The board has not responded to inquiry at the time of writing, although Julie Parmegiani, a board member and Setauket resident who lives near the house, said that security has been an issue, especially since the house is open to the public. Speaking as a resident and not on behalf of the board, she said the house is not always respected and there was an instance where the police were called after a fight in the parking lot.

One active community member who prefers to remain unnamed said that the surveillance makes the house seem “unneighborly”. 

“It is not so much that there is a problem in that there is a security system. I think people know there is a need, but it is secretive,” they said. “It would be a simple and easy fix if there was some type of signage.” 

Associate Attorney at Lieb at Law Claudia Cannam said, “Audio recording without clear notice or consent can be problematic. It is bad practice to not have signs to inform visitors.”

Susan Blake, a board member from October 2022 to December 2024, said the surveillance is leading the house to stray from its purpose of being an inclusive sanctuary and resource for residents of Setauket. “It is not even close to what that house should be,” she said. 

As a one-party consent state, New York only requires one person’s consent for a recording to be legal; however, that person must be a participant in the conversation being recorded. “Not giving them the option to opt in or out raises red flags to me,” Cannam said. 

Like the Setauket Neighborhood House, libraries are open to the public and provide reservable rooms. Director of the Smithtown Library Rob Lusak said security cameras are installed throughout the library, including in these rooms; however there is no audio and there is a written policy specifying the purpose of the surveillance and who can have access to real time monitoring and archival tapes. “It’s there in the event that we need to view footage in the event of theft or inappropriate behavior in the library,” Lusak said.

According to New York State Penal Law Section 250.45 states, surveillance is unlawful in the second degree if, for entertainment, profit, sexual gratification or for the purpose of degrading the subject, someone is recorded “at a place and time when such a person has a reasonable expectation of privacy, without such person’s knowledge or consent.”  An exemption to this is if a written notice is clearly posted that the system is for security purposes.

Attorney Tim Glynn of Glynn Mercep and Purcell LLP said “in public areas you have no real expectation of privacy,” but that there is likely an expectation in rented rooms. 

Surveillance of the exterior of a property is now standard, with many homeowners installing Ring cameras and businesses installing cameras that cover the entirety of the property. Ring cameras also record audio. However, there may not be an expectation of privacy in the outdoors, and most people are familiar with Ring cameras and how they operate. The community member understood the need for the cameras, but is unhappy with the communication “barriers” and lack of signage, adding that the cameras feel like “more of a gotch-ya than a preventative” measure. 

“You just scratch your head as a resident,” they said.

The board of directors are having a meeting on July 15 to discuss the issue. 

In a recent meeting at Studio 268 in East Setauket, around two dozen community activists began planning for a new expanded park in the downtown area, which many hope will help Main Street become a place where residents can stroll, take in views of the harbor and learn about Setauket’s local history.

Organized by the Three Village Civic Association, headed by Charlie Tramontana,  the participants included Brookhaven Councilmember Jonathan Kornreich (D-Stony Brook), Suffolk County Legislator Steve Englebright (D-Setauket) and members of the Thre Village Chamber of Commerce, the Three Village Rotary Club and the Setalcott Nation, among others.

The working group will be meeting over the next several months to develop a plan that will then be incorporated into the Town of Brookhaven’s park project plan.

Charlie Tramontana said, “today was the first meeting of the working and planning group where we walked the park and discussed features that we hope to incorporate into the eventual plan for the park.”

The Three Village Civic Association plans to take the ideas and incorporate them into a computer generated site plan that will be created by Joseph Betz, a professor of architecture at Farmingdale College and member of the civic association.

Brookhaven Receiver of Taxes Louis Marcoccia speaks to the civic on March 3. Photo by Sabrina Artusa

By Sabrina Artusa

At the March 3 Three Village Civic Association meeting, Town of Brookhaven Receiver of Taxes Louis Marcoccia gave members valuable advice on how to wade through the thick of this year’s tax season. 

Facing a group of residents who are in the midst of tackling their taxes, Marcoccia had his work cut out for him. He was quick, however, to appeal to the group, reminding the civic that Mathew the tax collector was one of Jesus’ apostles. 

Brookhaven Receiver of Taxes Louis Marcoccia speaks to the civic on March 3. Photo by Sabrina Artusa

“The tax collector, out of all the elected officials, is closest to Jesus,” he said. “The most read gospel is Mathew, which is actually converted to tax code,” he added.

Marcoccia is proud of his department and the changes they have made over the years, including taking advantage of technology, thereby saving money on envelopes and allowing people to pay and view their taxes instantly. He also reduced his staff by 40% by simply not rehiring after employees left.

This year, many Three Village residents were alarmed to see a 5.47% increase in their school taxes. In the year prior, the assessor’s office mistakenly included about 30 properties in the calculations, resulting in a lower tax increase percentage for that year, so constituents paid less in taxes to the school. 

“The percent was 1.27% but it should have been 2.8 so people who live there paid less than they should have and the town had to eat that,” Marcoccia said.

The bill was never sent to those 30 properties, mainly Stony Brook properties, since the tax office caught the mistake shortly after filing, but the incorrect assessment caused a shortfall that amounted to “millions,” according to Marcoccia, causing the bill to be $125 less per household. 

After being filed with New York State, the tax bills are finalized. As a result, this year, the bill represents the correction from last year in the percentage, even though constituents will not be actually paying that percentage increase, as it would have broken the tax cap of 2.84%.  That correction is the cause of 1.47% of the increase represented on the bill and is not the taxpayer’s responsibility.

In a letter sent by the Three Village Central School District explaining their mistake, Superintendent of Schools Kevin Scanlon explains that 0.54% of the percentage is due to a decrease in the assessed values of some properties, causing the other properties to take on more taxes. The remaining 0.32% increase is due to the senior citizen exemption. The actual tax rate increase, disregarding the correction, would be exactly 2.84%. 

“Once you file it and send it to the state you are stuck,” Marcoccia clarified. “A mistake happened, but it didn’t cost you any money.” 

Other News 

According to Legislator Steve Englebright (D, Setauket), the Town of Brookhaven, the Village of Head of the Harbor and the Ward Melville Heritage Organization are continuing to navigate the convoluted and uncertain ownership of Harbor Road. 

“A part of the controversy is who owns the road. Now the town highway department says [they] don’t own the road. It joins one village and one town together. Does Smithtown own half of the road?” Englebright asked, emphasizing the complicated discourse surrounding the issue. “Does ownership of the road mean ownership of the liability? Does the owner of the road also mean they are the owners of the land and the dam?” 

Under pressure to meet the Federal Emergency Management Agency deadline to file for aid, officials met to discuss a plan forward last month. 

“Time is short and now it is kind of a high wire act,” Englebright said.

For more information, visit www.3vcivic.org.

Stock photo

The Suffolk County Water Authority will host the next installment of its WaterTalk series of educational forums in collaboration with the Three Village Civic Association on Monday, February 3 at 7:30 p.m at the Setauket Fire Department, located at 190 Main Street In Setauket. This event provides an opportunity for residents to learn more and ask questions about their drinking water.

“It’s important that we engage directly with our customers and the local business communities across Suffolk County,” said SCWA Chairman Charles Lefkowitz. “Partnering directly with the Three Village Civic Association gives us an opportunity to meet with customers who we may not be able to reach otherwise. We appreciate the civic and their leadership for their collaboration.”

“We are delighted to welcome the Suffolk County Water Authority to our upcoming Three Village Civic Association meeting,” said Charlie Tramontana, Three Village Civic Association President. “This valuable opportunity will provide our community with crucial insights into the vital role the SCWA plays in ensuring the safety and reliability of our water supply. We encourage all residents to attend and learn more about this essential service.”

The WaterTalk series features a panel of experts who will discuss essential topics such as the quality of drinking water, infrastructure improvements made by SCWA to enhance water service and quality, and the importance of conservation. During the event, attendees can also ask questions and interact with SCWA officials. SCWA hopes attendees leave with increased knowledge about their water and greater confidence in the product delivered to their homes.

Residents who are interested in attending the WaterTalk event can RSVP by emailing [email protected] by Monday, January 29.

About SCWA:

The Suffolk County Water Authority is an independent public-benefit corporation operating under the authority of the Public Authorities Law of the State of New York. Serving approximately 1.2 million Suffolk County residents, the Authority operates without taxing power on a not-for-profit basis.

 

Above, one of the many public discussions on energy storage systems held in recent months. Photo by Sabrina Artusa

By Sabrina Artusa

Savion Energy representatives stood before the Three Village Civic Association membership Monday, Nov. 4, to present their proposed battery storage facilities in East Setauket. Savion is a Shell Group portfolio company that develops utility-scale solar and energy storage projects. 

One project is proposed for a lot off Sheep Pasture Road, while another location would be between Parsonage Road and Old Town Road. 

Environmental benefits 

These proposals arrive in the midst of a statewide effort to increase green energy sources and transition away from fossil fuels. In 2022, Gov. Kathy Hochul (D) doubled the state’s energy storage goal. Further, the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act, signed by Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) in 2019, aims for 100% zero-emission electricity by 2040. 

These battery storage facilities is one among many being proposed across Long Island as power plants like the fossil-burning plant in Port Jefferson close. 

Savion’s facilities will consist of containers of lithium-ion batteries that store excess energy during peak hours and discharge electricity as needed. The batteries, which have a life of about 20 years, will be charged and discharged on a daily basis but would be especially useful during increment weather when renewable energy sources are unreliable. 

The batteries would take eight hours to charge and allow Long Island to ease its reliance on nonrenewable energy. The transition is intended to diminish adverse environmental effects by lessening greenhouse gas emissions. 

Location and safety 

The location is one of the major topics of contention. The locations are in close proximity to neighborhoods, making some residents uneasy.

Nicholas Petrakis, senior consultant of consulting firm Energy Safety Response Group, assured civic association members that scrupulous measures were instituted to minimize the chances of thermal runaway. This process occurs when a damaged cell releases heat and gasses, thus triggering the same reaction in nearby cells. 

James McDaniel, senior battery storage engineer at Savion, said their systems are containerized and “designed to burn themselves out” and “fail safely”. The sites will be remotely monitored constantly by a team of experts, Petrakis said, and there is a sensor system that would notify the fire department and shut down the battery if anything is amiss.

Toxic off-gassing is a possibility — one that Petrakis said is a possible effect of most residential fires as well. Many present were apprehensive by this prospect. Further, the water used to counter any fires was a cause for concern, but Sean Flannery, senior director of permitting & environmental at Savion, said that “water runoff has not shown to be an issue” and that it will be contained on the property. 

Residents from across the Island were present at this meeting, hoping to learn more about the battery storage systems that are proposed in their own towns. Many questioned the location, asking why it was necessary to install the facilities in such a dense area. 

“Why would you consider putting something like this in this dense area?” one man asked. “The fact that in your proposed pictures you can see people’s houses doesn’t instill support.” 

Indeed, the buffer wall intended to keep the noise to the 50 decibels allowed in the Town of Brookhaven code is visible in a picture of what Savion expects each site to look like from a surrounding residential area. 

William Miller, managing partner at Clearview Consultants, explained that the project needs to be close to the electrical load it serves. Savion plans to lease the land for both sites. 

County Legislator Steve Englebright (D-Setauket) and town Councilmember Jonathan Kornreich (D-Stony Brook) empathized with their constituents. Englebright, who throughout his career has supported environmental initiatives, said the locations have been historically difficult places to fill, given the zoning as light industrial. 

“Something that is environmentally complicated and potentially harmful is not anything new to this area,” he said. Although he said he sympathizes with “all these correct uncertainties,” he added that residents have “to understand the larger context of what’s coming at us” in regards to the changing environment. 

In response to a question of who will bear the financial burden of damages in the case a fire hypothetically causes damage to surrounding properties, Thom Rainwater, director of development at Savion, said, “In the case of an incident the company will be responsible. Full stop.” 

Former state assemblyman, Steve Englebright (D-Setauket,) displaying a map of the Setauket area, as he addresses the crowd on Monday night. Photo by Toni-Elena Gallo

By Toni-Elena Gallo

On Monday night, Sept. 9, the Three Village Civic Association held a community forum, to discuss future plans for the revitalization of East Setauket Pond Park.

Through the years, the park has become dilapidated, as overgrown vegetation and broken fencing have taken over the aesthetic of a park that is an instantly recognizable staple of the Three Village community.

“When I started working for the town, and found myself in the enviable position of taking the baton and being able to move this project along, the thing that really struck me was because, as [civic president] Charlie [Tramontana] said, this is a generational project that will have an impact on this community for 50, 100 or more years,” said Brookhaven Councilmember Jonathan Kornreich (D-Stony Brook).

“So, I started a process to try to get as many voices as possible involved, so that we could really make this a project that is of the community, for the community. I’m going to be listening carefully, and taking notes [tonight],” he added.

Kornreich’s comments were followed by statements from Suffolk County legislator and former state assemblyman, Steve Englebright (D-Setauket), who discussed the historical and natural significance of Setauket Harbor, emphasizing its historical place in the development of our nation. Englebright continued by explaining how the first colonial settlers of this area founded on the ideals of freedom, tolerance and religious freedom.

The rest of the meeting was run by Farmingdale State College architectural professor, and board member, Joe Betz, who shared some tentative planning ideas for the space.

One key concern Betz expressed was creating a “sense of place,” which the park currently lacks. He feels that it is important to create a park which draws the eye, and does not get lost in the commotion of 25A. The park would encompass an area from the Brewster House to the war memorial, including the proposed relocation of the Roe Tavern. There would be views across Setauket Harbor.

Additionally, East Setauket Automotive’s lease will expire at the end of July 2025, which creates possibilities, Betz said. “That’s a big chunk of land, and it’s in the heart of, essentially, what this park center is. So, when that comes up, what do you do with this vacant building?” He suggested the impressive facade of the building could be retained, with the rest of the premises converted into a pavilion for parkgoers. 

Betz continued his presentation with graphics he and his students had created, which show potential park designs. He discussed, possibly, crafting the pond farther back from 25A.

He envisions a larger field area and a bandstand for summer concerts, as well as the pavilion.

Betz, also, discussed designing infrastructure with a more European, “English landscape” look which is something he asked community members to consider.

While nothing is set in stone, Betz implored the community to keep having conversations with local officials, as this will, ultimately, define the image of the Three Village community, and he hopes it will be enjoyed by the community, and tourists alike, for future generations.

To access Monday night’s presentation, which contains two different design approaches and detailed information on tentative plans for the park,  please visit the link below.

Portfolio | Setauket Pond Park (betzja.wixsite.com)

The next civic meeting will be held on Monday, Oct. 7, at the Setauket Firehouse on Route 25A, and begin at 7:30 p.m.

East Setauket Pond Park. Photo by Mallie Jane Kim

The Three Village Civic Association is hosting a community forum on Monday, September 9 at 7:30 pm at the Setauket Firehouse, 190 Main Street, Setauket to discuss future plans for Setauket Harbor Park.

The current small park in downtown Setauket, which is easily recognizable with its Kiwanis metal bridge spanning the pond, is about to expand with the Town’s recent acquisition of the East Setauket Automotive property.  The Town and the Three Village community now have a unique opportunity to create a park that helps to define and revitalize our downtown area.

There will be several speakers at Monday night’s meeting to discuss the park’s redevelopment. Suffolk County Legislator Steven Englebright, who as the former New York State Assemblyman provided funding to expand and improve the park, will be on hand to share his thoughts on the parkland.

And Joseph Betz, a local architect, professor and former chair of the Department of Architecture & Construction Management at Farmingdale State College, SUNY, will discuss conceptual design solutions to foster a sense of place and community at this site. Professor Betz will also examine the existing architectural and historical characteristics of the Setauket community, as well as other public spaces in the Three Village area, to help foster an understanding of a successful plan for the park’s redevelopment.

Town of Brookhaven Councilmmember Jonathan Kornreich will be in attendance to explain the importance of the park to the future of the Three Village community and his role in creating a new public space for all residents.  

The meeting is open to the public and attendance is encouraged to help the civic association and local elected officials to develop plans for the new, expanded harborside park.

For more informatin, call 631 721-5120.

Sarah Lansdale updates the Three Village Civic Association on plans for the Lawrence Aviation superfund site. Photo by Mallie Jane Kim

By Mallie Jane Kim

A redevelopment plan for the Lawrence Aviation Superfund site in Port Jefferson Station is at risk due to a proposed rail yard intersecting a straight strip of property owned by the New York Department of Transportation, where the Setauket-Port Jefferson Station Greenway trail runs, according to Suffolk County Planning Commissioner Sarah Lansdale.

Lansdale, speaking at a Three Village Civic Association meeting on June 3, reviewed the existing plan to transform the former aviation factory into three parcels: a 5-megawatt solar array, space for a rail yard that the MTA will own and protected open space that is earmarked for the Town of Brookhaven.

“We’re in contract with all three parcels right now,” Lansdale said, adding that contract terms require an agreement between DOT and MTA by the end of June. “In order to get to closing, there are conditions that need to be met.”

DOT would need to agree to divert a small section of the Greenway path to make way for the planned rail yard, which would help accommodate future modernization of the Port Jefferson Branch of the Long Island Rail Road. However, this change would interrupt DOT’s solid straight line of property, which they reserve in case the need for a highway arises in the future.

“From what I understand, that would serve as a bypass for Route 25A should sea level rise or climate change impact the navigability of 25A,” Lansdale explained.

The Greenway is not currently protected parkland, though Suffolk County Legislator Steve Englebright (D-Setauket) spoke up at the meeting to announce that he had been working with state Assemblyman Fred Thiele (D-Sag Harbor) to fast-track last minute legislation designating the Greenway as parkland. 

“The session has the potential to resolve this question,” Englebright said, though as of press time, no related bills had been yet introduced and the 2024 legislative session in Albany is scheduled to end June 6.

Civic association leaders expressed frustration at DOT even considering the possibility of tearing up the Greenway sometime in the future.

“They shouldn’t be going down that road — that’s insulting to our community,” said Herb Mones, who also heads the Three Village Community Trust which oversees the nonprofit that maintains the trail.

Mones added that the DOT had always been a vital partner in building and maintaining the Greenway. “It would be very disappointing if the DOT as an agency isn’t the most cooperative, most helpful in making sure the future of the Greenway continues without nonsense talk of putting in a highway,” he said.

The Lawrence Aviation plan has been in the works since 2022, though discussions between officials and concerned community members about what to do with the site have been going on much longer.

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation has already led the demolition of buildings on the site, according to Lansdale, who added that the DEC also completed an environmental investigation to remove the site from the Superfund list, which will clear the way for the solar development.

Lansdale expressed hope that the contract requirements will be ironed out on time, as she said the plan has had the benefit of community involvement and support.

“This is a federal Superfund site,” she explained. “The way that these sites are usually sold is on the auction block, with zero community input, to the highest bidder.”

Advocating for modern train technology

Though the Lawrence Aviation site plan reserves space for a rail yard, the MTA has given no indication it has imminent plans to modernize the Port Jefferson Branch of the LIRR, according to clean-train-energy advocate Bruce Miller, who said he has been talking with MTA officials and keeping tabs on the agency’s plans.

At the civic meeting, Miller urged local civic associations to lobby Gov. Kathy Hochul (D) to force the MTA to follow state environmental laws by looking into new train technologies to replace the diesel trains running along Long Island’s North Shore.

“It would be very helpful to be somewhere on the [MTA’s] 20-year plan,” said Miller, who indicated one of his catchphrases when dealing with a New York City-focused MTA is, “We pay taxes, too.”

Miller, who favors hydrogen-powered or separate-car battery trains, said he’d like to get civic leaders and elected officials from both sides of the political aisle to put their heads together and figure out how to get the MTA to explore cleaner train technologies.

Englebright agreed with Miller’s assessment that the MTA is essentially a “rogue agency” not following state directives toward cleaner energy, and suggested lawsuits as a good way to rein it in. He pointed to both the 2021 state constitutional amendment that gives residents the right to clean air and water, and the State Environmental Quality Review Act as bases for lawsuits from the community to force the MTA to look into newer, cleaner trains.

“There should be a lawsuit considered by the civic community to challenge whether the actions or inactions of the MTA and the LIRR are consistent with the Constitution of the State of New York,” Englebright said, adding, “No agency of the state is immune to SEQRA.”

Civic association board member George Hoffman, who said he had listened to LIRR President Rob Free speak earlier in the year, expressed frustration that North Shore trains seem to be an afterthought with the MTA.

“We want to get a solution for the Port Jefferson line,” Hoffman said. “I don’t know if it’s electric, I don’t know if it’s hydrogen — we certainly know it shouldn’t be diesel, it’s one of the dirtiest forms of air pollution.”

Hoffman praised Miller for his leadership on the issue and indicated the civic association hoped to support his advocacy efforts. “The squeaky wheel gets the grease,” he said

Town of Brookhaven employees remove illegal signs from public right-of-ways. Photo courtesy Town of Brookhaven

By Sabrina Artusa

The Town of Brookhaven is making a revitalized effort to remove illegal signs and enforce commercial sign restrictions. 

Unclear diction in the existing code made enforcement difficult, but now, as the town revises the code, officials are reviewing and discarding prohibited signs throughout Brookhaven. 

Signs in the right of way along state-owned highways were simplest to extricate, as anything in that zone is considered litter according to New York State. However, restrictions unique to the town in regards to size, location and lighting were more challenging to enforce. 

Councilmember Jonathan Kornreich (D-Stony Brook) said, “The new sign code will be a little more detailed and enforceable in regards to size, location and lighting.” According to him, unclear language and years of making exceptions make the current code insufficient. 

The proposed new code includes a more extensive list of purposes and 30 more definitions for terms and signs named in the code.

While zoning districts have different restrictions in terms of size, placement, lighting and materials, there are certain signs prohibited in all areas, such as revolving signs, reflective signs, billboards, roof signs, signs for off-premises businesses and signs attached to a tree, fence or utility pole, among others.

“The public interest has to be taken into consideration and allowing the proliferation of signs makes the streetscape look terrible,” Kornreich added. 

Improving the aesthetic of the community and preventing dangerous distractions to drivers were listed as considerations in the code revision.

While some business owners may feel these restrictions hinder their ability to attract customers, Kornreich, a small-business owner, is confident that by improving the atmosphere, more people will want to visit the area. 

Instead of signs, businesses can buy ads in newspapers or utilize websites and social media, he said. “Ultimately, making the community beautiful and a more desirable place to live is good for everybody. Our goal is not to harm small businesses — our goal is to make our downtown community better and more inviting.” 

This sentiment is echoed in the revised code. Most signs, including personal expression signs and temporary signs, require a permit from the Building Division. 

The town has sent the proposed revised code to the Port Jefferson Station/Terryville Civic Association and chamber of commerce, also the Three Village Civic Association and chamber of commerce for review. After a period of feedback from these organizations, there will be a public hearing. 

File photo by Samantha Rutt
Three Village and Port Jefferson civic associations in support

By Samantha Rutt

With increased development pressure from the likes of the Staller proposal for the Jefferson Plaza in Port Jefferson Station, as well as many other potential projects like the Malkmes property on Oakland Avenue and Brook Meadows on Sheep Pasture Road — the potential of an alternative norm exists within the Port Jefferson Station/Terryville hamlet.

With these pressures and their potential impacts on traffic, the Port Jefferson Station/Terryville Civic Association is taking proactive steps to address the impact of rapid development in their community. On April 10, the civic association sent a letter addressed to Highway Superintendent Dan Losquadro (R), Brookhaven Town Supervisor Dan Panico (R) and members of the Town Board, urging them to consider an impartial formal generic cumulative traffic study for their respective region. 

“I think an overall planning review of the entire region of Port Jefferson Station/Terryville, the Upper Port area, through Lawrence Aviation is needed. There is so much coming and proposed and potential charges down the corridor that it’s incumbent upon us to do a good job of forward thinking,” Ira Costell, president of the civic association said in an interview. 

The civic association’s request for a traffic study aims to assess the cumulative impact of these developments on road capacity, traffic flow and public safety. The study would provide insights into the existing traffic conditions on State Route 112 and Terryville Road, both of which are already strained according to NYS Department of Transportation rankings.

“By doing a comprehensive assessment we can help answer questions like where do we go? How do we absorb this growth? What do we want to see? What can we do to work with the town and developers to bring something that helps the community and minimizes how it can be impacted negatively,” Costell explained.

The association’s document outlines the need for a comprehensive planning effort to address the challenges posed by development. By securing funding for an impartial entity to conduct the study, the association hopes to identify traffic calming measures, road improvements and other mitigation strategies to alleviate the negative impacts on public health and safety.

The initiative has garnered support from neighboring civic associations as well as local stakeholders, including town Councilmember Jonathan Kornreich (D-Stony Brook),who has in the past expressed backing for the effort.

“We support a traffic study commissioned by the town to give a truly independent assessment of how infrastructure is handling both existing and projected density,” said president of the Port Jefferson Civic Association, Ana Hozyainova.

“We would support that since we feel planning should always take a comprehensive approach,” said Charles Tramontana, president of the Three Village Civic Association. “Everyone knows that traffic on Long Island is a major concern, so a traffic study makes sense to see the impacts on the community and what, if anything, can be done to mitigate those impacts.”

However, despite the association’s proactive approach, there has been no formal response from town officials thus far. To get more information, visit www.pjstca.org.