End of Year Holiday Cheer
Next week, we will all gather with family and good friends to celebrate Chanukah, Christmas, the Festival Kwanza and gear up to welcome new beginnings as we say farewell to 2019. This is the time of year when we are reminded of what is truly important to us. We reflect on all we have to be grateful for. Each year, my fellow Elected Officials in Smithtown, come together to sponsor local families who are in need of a little extra kindness. I would like to say Thank You to the Smithtown Children’s Foundation and the School District Social Workers who helped us to discreetly surprise these families with gifts in time for their respective holiday. The work they do year round is an extraordinary gift to our community. They are in good company with many local non-profit groups, ensuring no one is forgotten this holiday season. Volunteers at Christmas Magic have been gathering every Saturday morning in Hauppauge to wrap gifts for 13,000 homeless children in shelters across Long Island and even branch out to the outer boroughs. The organization, founded by Hauppauge Attorney, Charles Russo relies solely on private donations year round to deliver thousands of holiday miracles. The Nesconset non-profit; Heros 4 Our Heroes, will devote the afternoon of Saturday December 21st to handing out Hams & Turkeys to local US Veterans at the Northport VA. Volunteers or Families looking to give back together this year can still donate online or lend a hand can by arriving before noon at the lobby of the Northport VA hospital. Collection boxes for Baxters Food Pantry (Long Island Cares) are still posted in the lobby of Town Hall and at our Animal Shelter (410 Middle Country Rd) if you would like to help a four-legged stranger in need. There is no shortage of goodwill in Smithtown and for that I am truly grateful to serve in a community that cares so deeply for neighbors and strangers alike.
However you choose to spend your holiday, on behalf of all of us at Town Hall, we wish you and yours a very healthy and Happy Chanukah, a Merry Christmas, Kwanzaa celebrations filled with joy and prosperity and may your New Year be filled with hope, promise and great expectations.
COMMACK:
For those wishing to celebrate the start of Chanukah, the Suffolk Y Jewish Community Center is hosting a community wide celebration on Sunday December 22nd at 5pm, at the Commack Corners Shopping Center, located at the South East corner of Jericho and Commack Road. Festivities include music, latkes, donuts, chocolate gelt, dreidels and more. In the event of inclement weather, the event will be relocated to the Suffolk Y Jewish Community Center (74 Hauppauge Road)
There will be Water Flow Tests at various hydrant locations on Blackwatch Court and Modular Ave. Residents in those neighborhoods may notice temporary rusty water conditions. Additional testing along surrounding streets may be necessary based upon field conditions.
Demolition of the fields at Flynn Memorial has been completed. The construction of the first two new fields will begin with the laying of synthetic turf with a built-in drainage system underneath. This modern approach to field maintenance has far less of an impact on the environment, given it does not require nitrogen fertilizer for maintaining. It will also allow for playtime after rain. Construction is expected to be completed on two ball fields before the Spring Ball Season.
HAUPPAUGE
A menorah lighting ceremony is being hosted by Temple Beth Chai of Hauppauge on Sunday, December 22nd, from 6:30 PM – 8 PM. The event will include Religious School performance of holiday songs, donuts, latkes and gelt, games and crafts. This is a free event, with a suggested donation of $10 for adults.
Traffic Safety has installed the modern Mast Arm traffic signal at the intersection of Marcus Avenue and New Highway. Teams will continue with underground work with hopes of completing the project in January, provided that the weather holds up.
KINGS PARK:
The Kings Park Chamber of Commerce is hosting its annual Menorah lighting ceremony on Sunday, December 22nd at 11:00 am at Veterans Plaza in Kings Park. Residents can use the municipal parking lot across from the Fire Department for parking if the Library lot is full.
The town of Smithtown Recreation Department’s Over the Hill basketball begins January 6th at RJO Middle School in Kings Park. These Adult-Only basketball evenings are held every Tuesday and Thursday from 7PM to 10PM, open to all residents who enjoy playing the sport.
Over the Hill Basketball season runs from January 6th to March 6th, 2020.
I’m very pleased to announce that the Town has formally adopted the Downtown Kings Park revitalization plan. Residents can view the plan via the planning department’s Studies & Reports page on SmithtownNY.gov or click here.
A new Bus Shelter has been installed at the Kings Park train station. The previously damaged shelter was replaced by Suffolk County DPW. I would like to commend our partners in the Kings Park Civic and Chamber associations who worked together to advocate for this much needed bus shelter.
Our Parks department is fast at work, installing the playground at Kings Park Memorial Park. New Concrete sidewalks and foundation for the surfacing is completed. Our parks team plans to continue with work, as long as the weather allows for it.
The parks department is putting the final touches on winterizing the bluff and at Callahan’s beach. Work involves removing the dock at the Kings Park Bluff, and winterizing irrigation systems at Callahan’s beach among other standard end of year prep work.
NESCONSET:
I am very pleased to announce a wonderful beautification initiative by our Traffic Safety Team in Nesconset. The traffic team will be installing a flagpole at the “five corners” located at Browns Rd. They will be adding power in order to install a flood light so the flag is properly illuminated at night.
Parents Night Out, Medieval Night will take place on December 20th at the Nesconset Elementary School from 5:30PM to 8PM. A small $15 fee per child (ages 5-10) covers the costs of providing a night of fun for your little one. Space is limited so reserve quickly.
The Smithtown Parks department continues to work on the custom built steps leading down to the Gazebo from Charles P Toner park. In addition to this project, our parks teams are winterizing irrigation systems at the Gazebo, the Armory/Charles P Toner park, Browns Road park and Gibbs Pond park.
SMITHTOWN:
The Silver Chords will be performing a Holiday Concert at the senior center for Smithtown Residents on December 30th at 10:15. The concert is performed as a Thank You to the Senior Center for allowing the multi-generational chorus to practice singing their traditional, classical and modern repertoire across all musical genres year round.
Traffic Safety’s traffic signal maintenance supervisor is working to restore the detection at the Landing Golf Course Traffic Signal. This work is in anticipation of a new traffic signal rebuild, slated for 2020.
The parks department will continue working on asphalt repairs to our Municipal parking lots at the Smithtown LIRR station. Work will continue as long as weather temperatures and conditions remain optimal.
Parks teams are also busy winterizing the parks in the hamlet which include Brady Park, Morewood Park, East Hills park, Peter Nowick Sr. Park and at the landmark Bull statue.
ST JAMES:
The St James Chamber of Commerce’s Menorah lighting ceremony will be held nightly from December 22nd through December 29th. The St. James community will gather at the Triangle at Lake Avenue, Moriches Road and 25A each night of Hanukkah at 5:30 PM, with the exception of Friday, which will take place at 4:30 PM.
I am very pleased to announce the official completion of phase one of the Lake Avenue revitalization project. Traffic Safety put the final touches on the project last week, completing the pavement markings and striping along Lake Avenue from Patrick’s way to Jericho Turnpike.
PSEG-LI has completed the installation of the emergency trunk line at Mills Pond Road.
National Grid is also doing maintenance work along Lake Avenue this week. Traffic may be slower than usual between 5th & 6th streets. Residents may wish to plan an extra few minutes for the morning commute.