Happy Earth Day
Smithtown is a very green town – In addition to being named Tree City USA for twenty-six years in a row, we are growing green in so many other ways.
We have wind turbines to power the waste facility on Old Northport Road. “There is also talk of a solar farm on the golf driving range on Old Northport Road,” said the town Supervisor.
We have electric garbage trucks. Nice quiet, efficient gas garbage trucks and have had them since 2007.
We have Stream Pick Ups which means Smithtown residents can leave out any recyclable items weekly and they will be picked up. No more alternating weekly. Supervisor Pat Vecchio says this will save time. As soon as Smithtown adopted the plan, other Suffolk towns were looking into it as well.
In addition to be named Tree City for almost three consecutive years the town is tough making sure trees are not taken down haphazardly.
“We enforce the law on unauthorized tree removals and continue funding for tree planting in the budget,” he explained.
Smithtown Supervisor Vecchio and the Town Board are very progressive when it comes to exploring and implementing green options. Be proud Smithtown –you live in a green place that is constantly growing greener!
According to the Town of Smithtown Website:
Smithtown Named Tree City, USA
For the 26th year in a row, the Town of Smithtown has been named a Tree City USA by the National Arbor Day Foundation. The National Arbor Day Foundation is a national not-for-profit organization dedicated to promoting the benefits that trees provide including wildlife habitat, improving air quality and increasing property values.
The National Arbor Day Foundation provides guidance on proper tree care and maintenance, and recognizes communities as a Tree City, USA if they have tree care programs that meet four criteria. The four criteria include:
- A local ordinance to protect trees
- Funding of a local tree care program at a minimum of $2 per capita
- A “tree board” to oversee the local tree care program
- An annual observance of Arbor Day
Working to Keep the Title
The elected Town Board functions as Smithtown’s tree board and oversees the tree care activities of the Parks Department, Highway Department, Planning Department, Traffic Safety Department and the Town Department of Environment and Waterways.
The town employs a Certified Arborist as an Urban Forester to ensure that town trees are professionally managed to the highest possible standards. The town’s recent receipt of the National Arbor Day Foundation’s recognition marks the twenty-sixth consecutive year that the Town of Smithtown has been designated a Tree City, USA!