Tree City USA Gets Hundreds More, Downtown Revitalization, and Renovation Unveiling Plans Set
This week we began with a groundbreaking ceremony, celebrating the Town of Smithtown’s First Transit Oriented Development in the hamlet. For those who have read the daily papers, this project will be a major boost for economic development and provide modern day living options to keep our young talent and empty nesters living here in Smithtown. In other big news, we will unveil two historic roadside markers next week. One at Bread & Cheese Hollow Road and Sunken Meadow Road and the second at the Whisper the Bull Monument, depicting the legendary Bull Ride of Richard Smith at our completely renovated Whisper the Bull. These markers were made possible thanks to two grants awarded in partnership with the Kings Park Heritage Museum by the William G. Pomeroy Foundation. I am also very pleased to report that in addition to the Highway Department's scheduled tree plantings, DEW’s outstanding new Arborist has planned for over 270 trees to be planted this fall with a beautiful variety of 29 various species. And last but certainly not least, I’m pleased to announce the town’s participation in Red Ribbon Week. From October 23rd through the 31st, the Horizons Education and Counseling Center is working in collaboration with our Youth Bureau and the school districts to encourage our youth to take the pledge to “Send a Message. Stay Drug Free.”
COMMACK:
Commack residents were some of the worst hit by the fast moving straight line wind storm on June 30th. I am pleased to report that in addition to the Highway Department's planting schedule, our Arborist and Urban Forester have planned a fall planting schedule, which includes over 100 street trees for the hamlet of Commack. Residents in areas hit hard by the storm off Sunken Meadow Parkway, New Highway, Vets Memorial Highway, and in the Hoyt Farm vicinity are among the many who will have their beautiful street trees back.
The Highway Department has begun road work along Sommers Lane this week. All roadwork is subject to the weather outlook for the week.
Demolition work at Flynn Memorial Park is fully underway. The Parks Department will be demolishing the buildings, removing electric, plumbing fixtures, asphalt, backstops, and cesspools this month.
The town has planned to build a new state-of-the-art ballpark over the course of two years. Two completed ball fields are slated to be completed in time for the Spring season.
The renovations include: new synthetic (environmentally friendly) fields with built-in drainage, LED Energy efficient sports lighting, air conditioned concession stand/pro shop, handicapped accessible bathrooms, covered bleachers, protective fencing along the outfield and backstops, and a more centralized playground area. Additional parking and storage along the grounds are planned as well. This exciting reconstruction will serve as an economic engine while providing our youth with in demand, state-of-the-art ball fields to play and compete on.
HAUPPAUGE:
Over twenty street trees are being planted in the hamlet of Hauppauge in neighborhoods off Terry Road, Mount Pleasant, Old Willets Path, Townline, and Smithtown Bypass, among other areas.
Our Traffic Safety Department has installed the new modern Mast Arm for the traffic signal rebuild at Grandview Lane & Old Willets Path. Work to finalize the traffic signal is currently underway.
The New Highway & Adams Avenue road widening project is in full gear. Road grading and utility work is underway, pending weather conditions. The Traffic Safety Department is building modern traffic signals at the intersections of Marcus Avenue and New Highway and at Adams Ave and New Highway. The project includes new sidewalks, modern traffic signals, energy-efficient lighting, landscaping, & more visible signage. Upon completion, this project will serve as an entryway to the newly deemed Long Island Innovation Park at Hauppauge, as well as provide safer roads for bicyclists, runners, and pedestrians.
KINGS PARK:
For those history buffs, you will be pleased to see our Traffic Department installing a historic marker tracking “Richard Smith’s Bull Ride” at the intersection of Bread & Cheese Hollow Road and Sunken Meadow Road. The legend has it that our famous Bull Rider stopped along the way to eat bread and cheese, thereby giving the street its name. An unveiling is planned for October 29th.
Our Arborist has begun a major operation to plant street trees in the Kings Park communities that were previously uprooted or destroyed by the June 30th straight-line wind storm. Neighborhoods off of Main Street, Lawrence Road, St Johnland Road, Indian Head and Pulaski Roads, and in the Park View Elementary School area are just a few of the areas where street trees are being planted. Smithtown’s new and very talented Arborist has worked diligently to map out a plan for approximately 45 street trees to be planted this fall in the hamlet of Kings Park.
Demolition work is underway at Kings Park Memorial Park. The new state-of-the-art playground features a jungle-gym with multiple levels, climbing stations, and two slides. New surfacing will also be installed around the playground area.
A new ornamental crosswalk will be installed in the coming weeks at Savatt Square along Main Street. Over the summer, our Parks Department spruced up the Square with new landscaping. This crosswalk will also provide pedestrians with a more visible intersection for motorists to acknowledge the right of way for shoppers to safely navigate the business district.
NESCONSET:
Nine street trees are in the process of being planted in neighborhoods off Browns Road and Nicholls Road. Additional locations of plantings, where the Highway Department has done previous work, will be provided in the following weeks.
Our Traffic Safety Department will be scheduling thermoplastic striping (double yellow lines) and pavement markings along the newly paved areas on Browns Road and Gibbs Pond Road. Last week, teams finished up the main stretch off 347 to Nicholls Road along Browns Road and from Nicholls to Smithtown Boulevard.
Our Highway team has also completed road work along Cedar Avenue, Roseanne Court, and Glen Hill Court.
Our Parks Department has finished rebuilding the skateboard renin ramp at the Armory Park for young (and old) skateboarders to safely enjoy the sport. Other repairs to the park, including replacing the playground slide, are also complete.
SMITHTOWN:
Approximately 74 street trees are scheduled for fall planting in the Hamlet of Smithtown. Neighborhoods include the East Hills Park area, off Plymouth Boulevard, Terry Road, and communities off of Brooksite Drive, among others.
The Highway Department plans to do concrete work along Larkspur Drive, Teal Lane, and Dove Lane in Smithtown in the next week, pending weather conditions. Residents should check the Smithtown Mobile App for potential road delays.
The Parks Department has completed the landscaping and beautification work at the Whisper the Bull monument. The Traffic Safety Department will be installing the Legends & Lore Roadside Marker this week, as we prepare for the unveiling slated for October 29th. The Town of Smithtown has been awarded two grants from the William G. Pomeroy Foundation for the installation of two historic markers. The Kings Park Heritage Museum was instrumental in securing these grants.
ST JAMES:
Our Traffic Safety team has begun collecting data pertaining to the speed, volume, and class of vehicles along Fifty Acre Road South. The data will serve as a guide to improve safety measures in the area that is in close proximity to Smithtown H.S. East and where young children and families regularly walk to East Hills Park.
Approximately 23 street trees are scheduled for fall planting in the hamlet in St. James. Neighborhoods include the vicinity of Moriches Park, East Hills Park, and off Woodlawn Avenue.
In St. James, phase one of the Lake Avenue Downtown Revitalization is nearly complete. Our Highway Department has been working diligently installing new concrete curbs and sidewalks. The next steps include the milling and then paving of Lake Avenue from Woodlawn to Jericho Turnpike. Roadwork detours are expected to continue for another two to three weeks, pending weather conditions. This spur of the Lake Avenue Revitalization project included the installation of a new water main, drainage repair and rebuilding, crosswalks, the installation of new sidewalks, and traffic safety measures.
The General Store makeover should be complete by Friday or Monday of next week, with the installation of an ornamental cobblestone style pedestrian crosswalk.
If you have ideas or would like certain topics discussed in this weekly report, please email the Supervisor's Office at supervisor@smithtownny.gov