Smithtown Notebook: Bamboo Law Approved, Recycling Center Goes Solar

Bamboo Law to Go in Effect Jan. 2012

The town board unanimously approved an ordinance Tuesday that would force bamboo owners to properly maintain the plant, keeping it 10 feet from their property line.

“I think that town government has a responsibility here, I really do … people’s property should be sacrosanct to intrusion by plant or human,” said Town Supervisor Patrick Vecchio following Tuesday’s town board meeting.

Bamboo owners have six months after a complaint is made concerning its growth to comply with the set limits or would face penalties enforced by Public Safety.

The law went into effect Tuesday night, and bamboo owners will have until year’s end to get the plant within the proper distances.

Solar Energy System Installation Complete at Recycling Center

A new solar energy system was installed atop the town’s Kings Park recycling center, the town’s biggest consumer of electricity.

“The building’s footprint is approximately an acre and a half. It is virtually flat, with no shade,” said Environmental Protection Director Russell Barnett. “The 50kW system takes up 1/8 of the roof’s surface area.”

The new solar energy system includes 161 roof mounted SunPower photoelectric panels, each rated at 305 watts – making it one of the largest systems on any municipal building throughout Suffolk County.

Barnett said the 50kW system would provide roughly 10 percent of the power needed to run the recycling center, significantly reducing the need to buy power from the LIPA.

Assemblyman Fitzpatrick, Town Council Members Attend Sertinos Café Ribbon Cutting

Local politicians and heads of town departments – from Assemblyman Michael Fitzpatrick, R- Smithtown, to Kevin Molloy and Robert Creighton of the town council, and Superintendent of Highways Glenn Jorgensen – attended Friday’s ribbon cutting ceremony for Sertinos Café in Smithtown.

While the café was set for its grand opening Aug. 13 and 14, local political figures, business owners and more were invited to sample the food and beverages offered at the café.

Throughout the Sertinos Café grand opening weekend, the establishment is giving away more than $10,000 worth of gift cards and free passes for bowling from AMF Smithtown Lanes.

Final Show of the Nesconset Summer Concert Series Set for Aug. 16

Locals will be treated to the comedy routines of Rich Walker, Eric Haft, Chris Monty and Stevie G.B. on Tuesday for the final show of the Nesconset Summer Concert Series, sponsored by and Legis. John Kennedy Jr., R-Nesconset, and the Nesconset Chamber of Commerce.

Rain pushed back the show, which was originally set for Aug. 9. The four comedians, all from Long Island, are set to hit the stage Tuesday starting at 7:30 p.m.

Upcoming Town Meetings

Just one town meeting is set for the upcoming week. The planning board will convene at 8 p.m. at the Eugene A. Cannataro Senior Citizen Center on Wednesday.