Smithtown Notebook: Main Street Revitalization Program Approved

Town Board Approves Main Street Revitalization Program

The town board approved the continuation of Main Street sidewalk revitalization by the Greater Smithtown Chamber of Commerce Tuesday.

“The county gave money for downtown revitalization, they give it to chamber’s of commerce to apply, and the law states that the town board has to approve the chamber request for downtown revitalization,” said Town Supervisor Patrick Vecchio.

The improvements are part of the Suffolk County Downtown Revitalization Program, the state’s local efforts to help bring revitalization projects to fruition and restore downtown communities.

The language of the current town code for tree removal could be changed as early as August.

Town Supervisor Patrick Vecchio is seeking to change the language of the code, which currently states that if a tree on town property is alive, referred to in the town code as “sound,” it will not be removed. If the changes to the language of the code are implemented, trees – in good health or not – will be removed if they are causing damage.

“It makes it clear that no longer is a ‘sound tree’ the operable phrase. If it’s sound but doing damage it has to come down,” Vecchio said regarding language changes he’s seeking following Tuesday’s town board meeting.

Vecchio stated complaints have been brought to the town board’s attention concerning trees causing damages to sidewalks, cesspools, and other private property.

The town supervisor has asked Town Attorney to Town Attorney Yvonne Lieffrig, the town attorney, to draft an amendment to the code based off a memo he drafted to be presented at the next town board meeting on Aug. 9.

Upcoming Meetings

The Planning Board will hold a meeting on July 20 at 8 p.m. at the Eugene A. Cannataro Smithtown Senior Citizen Center.