To Study Or Not - Safety Is The Question For 111/347 Zone Change

By Taylor Fleming

Smithtown Town Officials Disagree Over Zone Change Petition at the Intersection of Route 111 and Route 347

June 19, 2013 6pmOn Thursday, April 25, 2013, Frank DeRubeis, Smithtown’s Director of Planning issued a memorandum to the Town Supervisor Patrick R. Vecchio and members of the Town Board regarding a Zone Change Petition for lots located adjacent to the intersection of Route 111 and Route 347 and approved by the Board in February. Bolla L.I. Operating Corp. hopes to change the zone on one lot, from a residential, single family lot to a neighborhood business lot and to develop a large filling station with a convenience store on the two adjoining lots.

DeRubeis noted in the memorandum that he did not believe the zoning was necessary as there is an existing filling station and convenience store north of these two lots. His major concern, however, was the implications of the “jug-handle triangle” created at this intersection. “The issue is safety,” said the Director of Planning. He contended that the presence of a “jug-handle” indicates that New York State wanted the least possible amount of traffic movement at this intersection. “With driving,” said DeRubeis, “we [the Planning and Community Development Department] want to simplify. If [driving] is so confusing…accidents will occur.” According to the New York State Department of Transportation, since 2009 eighteen accidents involving one or two cars have occurred within 200 feet of the intersection of Route 111 and Route 347. 

 Proposed site of 16 pump filling station and convenience storeDeRubeis believes that the zone change might present a traffic issue and suggested a town sponsored traffic study be undertaken. The developer conducted and presented a traffic study to the town which addressed traffic at the intersection and parking. The traffic study focused heavily on the lack  of traffic generation being created by the construction. What the study did not cover was the interruption of the traffic flow, which according to DeRubeis will be significant. Councilman Robert Creighton said he does not believe further traffic studies need to be conducted, but DeRubeis was persistent and said that rather than the traffic density and parking information provided by the builder, “what was important to us was access.” 

DeRubeis pointed out that the proposed access to the site, the  driveway location, for the filling station is not acceptable according to Institute of Transportation Engineers (ITE) standards. Reading out loud from “Driveway and Street Intersection Spacing” during the Board meeting on June 18, DeRubeis said, “A driveway or approach connection should not be placed within the length of an acceleration lane.” Therefore, according to DeRubeis, the proposed driveway at this intersection violates ITE standards and should not be considered. He also noted that Bolla Operating Corp. expected to receive 60-70% of its business from traffic already on the road. DeRubeis believed this would be problematic to the area during rush hour times. 

Councilmen Ed Weirheim and Thomas McCarthy support the proposal. Supervisor Vecchio remains undecided, stating that the project “revitalizes [the] corner” but “poses accident questions.” Vecchio also noted that while DeRubeis raised concerns, “there has been no opposition” from other members of the community. 

On Thursday, June 20, the Town Board with hold a meeting at which the proposal will be discussed and either approved or denied for environmental concerns. If approved, the proposal will then need to gain a series of engineering permits and gain approval from the New York State Department of Transportation. 

Editorial - What Are They Thinking? Do A Traffic Study For Rtes. 347/111 Intersection

If there is a corner in Smithtown that can be a poster child for dangerous and ugly it is the intersection of Rte. 347 and Rte.111. This area was once deemed one of the most dangerous intersections in Suffolk County.  The state has invested heavily in rebuilding the intersection making many physical alterations over the years. The most recent construction, a divider between east and west bound traffic,  has tied up traffic and cost millions in construction dollars.  The construction is part of the state’s plan to improve traffic flow safely and expeditiously. 

The Smithtown Town Board is moving in a direction that may negate some of the state’s work.  At the June 18th Town Board’s work session there was a discussion about a proposed zone change at the Rte. 347 Rte.111 intersection that would permit a sixteen pump gas station and convenience store at this intersection. The proposal calls for a zone change on a lot currently zoned as residential. 

At the work session  Frank DeRubeis, planning director for Smithtown placed a hot potato in the hands of the Board members. The proposal does not meet accepted transportation practices and may present a danger to the public, he warned.  According to DeRubeis, the information provided by Bolla LI, the company proposing the redevelopment of the property, is almost irrelevant. Increased traffic does not seem to be the issue but it does seem to be the issue most discussed in the traffic study presented by Bolla. The main concern for the  planning department is the disruption of the traffic flow and the havoc it can create at the intersection. The proposed plan would permit the egress of traffic onto a  road with a high volume of traffic and high speeds without an acceleration lane. This is a topic addressed in the Institute of Traffic Engineers manual (ITE)  which advises against creating this type of dangerous condition.

Safety is non-negotiable. The Town Board has been made aware of the very serious consequences a hasty decision can lead to. An unbiased traffic study is called for sooner rather than later. Voting for the zone change and hoping the state does something about it is not good governance, it is a dereliction of duty. Town Supervisor, Patrick Vecchio, has indicated a willingness to delay the vote pending a traffic study. He also acknowledged that there has not been any response from the public.  “Who knew?” was the response of neighbors in the area. “An article appeared in Newsday about the proposal and now we are hearing it is almost a done deal.”

Councilman Creighton, a candidate for Town Supervisor, said he does not believe there is a need for a new traffic study.  Why?  When serious safety concerns are raised by the planning department does it not warrant a second or third look at the project. The idea that the state will be the “decider” is not backed up by any fact. Towns approve and control zoning. The goal of redeveloping a blighted site is a good one but the key word when it comes to traffic is “safety”. 

Supervisor Vecchio, pull the item from the agenda and have an unbiased traffic study done as quickly as possible. 

Pat

Fishing Awards for Youths at Caleb Smith State Park Preserve Tournament

By Nicholas Perrotti

Dylan Egan holds his 17-1/2 inch bass that he caught at the tournament. Fishing judge Ken Willens, right, dubbed it one of the largest he’s seen caught at the park. What some members of the Friends of Caleb Smith Preserve are calling “the largest fish caught in a long time at the park” won a prize for 7-year-old Dylan Egan of Smithtown. Dylan, in his first time fishing at the Friends’ annual junior anglers tournament held on Saturday, June 15, caught a 17-1/2 inch bass, winning him the third place award for  catching the largest “other” fish.

More than 30 children participated in the 11th annual tournament held at the Smithtown state park, and a total of 98 fish were caught at designated sites around Willow Pond. After being measured by judges, immediately after a fish was caught, it was released back into the pond. Children ages 5 to 8 fished from 9:30 to 11 a.m., and those ages 9 to 12 from 1 to 3 p.m.

Winners in the morning session, from left: Hannah Lentz, Dylan Egan, Ryan O’ConnorA first prize for catching the most fish, went to repeat performer Hannah Lentz, 6, of Lake Grove. With her lucky pink Barbie pole, Hannah caught 17 fish in the morning session. The announcement of her award brought cheers of “The pink Barbie pole wins again!” Last year, Hannah won first prize for catching 21 fish.

Second prize, the award for largest pan fish, went to Ryan O’Connor, 8, of Smithtown who caught a 9-1/2 inch sunfish.

In the afternoon session, 45 fish were caught, and Dylan’s large bass had long departed the scene for other waters. 

Sal Lupo, 12, of Deer Park won first prize for catching the most fish. Sal, an avidWinners in the afternoon session, from left: Matt Krozer and Sal Lupo. Not pictured, Timothy Glover. angler, caught nine fish. 

“I fish all the time with my grandparents and my dad,” he said. “Any place with a rod and water equals fishing!” Within his first hour fishing, Sal had caught a 10-1/2 inch bass.

Matt Krozer, 11, of Smithtown won second prize for catching the largest pan fish, a 9-1/2 inch sunfish.

Timothy Glover, 11, of Center Moriches, who caught a 10-1/2 inch bass, won the award for the largest “other” fish caught.

“The kids are having a great time,” said judge John Perrotti, as he helped the LoCascio sisters Olivia, 10 and Sophia, 12, of East Northport bait their hooks.  It was their first time fishing ever, they said. After a few casts Sophia caught an 8-inch sunfish and it made her day.

5th Annual Smithtown Bay Yacht Club's "Soldiers on the Sound"

By Taylor Fleming

On the sunny afternoon of Saturday June 15, 2013, hundreds gathered at the Smithtown Bay Yacht Club to celebrate, support and give thanks to veterans and current members of the military. Earlier that morning, 47 boats carrying over 100 members of the military made their way out to the bay for a fluke tournament. The event marked the Yacht Club’s fifth annual “Soldiers on the Sound”.

 The event began in 2009 after the current president of Soldiers on the Sound, Mark Garry, watched news footage of war on a television at the Yacht Club and became overwhelmed by the feeling that he had to do something to give those who were serving a break. 

“Fishing,” said Garry, “is a great release for people.” Thus, Soldiers on the Sound became a way to appreciate members of the military and give them a day of relaxation.

 Last Saturday’s event was the largest yet. Eighty percent of the over 100 soldiers and Marines who participated were members of the Air National Guard 106^th Rescue Wing of Westhampton Beach, NY. The members of the military made their way out to the water to boats and their captains and crew, all carefully organized and assigned by Garry and Chief Ed Reiter of the 106^th Rescue Wing, who serves as somewhat of a liaison between his wing and the Smithtown Bay Yacht Club.  

While the members of the military were out on the water, the Yacht Club was transformed to welcome them back when they returned. For the first time, the Smithtown Fire and St. James Fire Departments coordinated the placement of a large flag which hung from the ladders of both department’s trucks and overlooked the docks. Additionally, a group of female committee members now known as the “Pink Ladies” went to work setting up a raffle display, tables chairs and a food buffet for the returning boaters. 

“All the behind the scenes [of this event],” says Michelle Garry, Mark’s wife and “Pink Ladies” member, “is run by a strong group of dedicated women.” 

The winning fluke was caught by Rich Gerry, a currently serving member of the military whose boat was captained by Steven Sisino, Chief of the Smithtown Fire Department and Club member. After a day of what Sisino called “slow fishing,” Gerry caught the winning fluke weighing 6 pounds and 12 ounces. The crew was composed of Sisino, his nephew, Hunter, Gerry and John Prendergast, a currently serving member of the military. 

After the fish were weighed and many were filleted, the committee and crews sat down to lunch and music provided by the Chris Jennings Band. Before the raffle, Garry took to the mic to say a few words about present members of the military. 

“These soldiers…go there. They don’t question it…There’s nothing that can touch our military,” said Garry. He also recognized four Vietnam veterans who attended the event and thanked major contributors including committee members, Mike Smedley from Team Old School, Ben Searcrest from Accurate and Dennis Hogan from Simrad, who donated a multi-function touchscreen display to the raffle worth nearly $3,000. 

Following Garry, Colonel Jeff Arndt, Vice Wing Commander, said a few words about the event.

“This is exactly what we needed, a day out with you guys and we are absolutely grateful for that,” said Arndt who was followed by Commodore of the Smithtown Bay Yacht Club, Eric Milburn and numerous politicians. 

Saturday marked the fifth and biggest Soldiers on the Sound event, but Skip Hein, founding member of the committee believes the event will and should continue to grow. “[Soldiers on the Sound] couldn’t grow big enough,” said Hein. “It would be nice to take every vet out.” 

Smithtown Is Beautiful Photography Contest

Kelly LynchThe Smithtown Youth Bureau, hosted their first annual photography contest, Smithtown is Beautiful, at the Commack branch of the Smithtown Library on Wednesday May 1st.  Students’ work from surrounding school districts includingJohn Bakunas Commack, Hauppauge, Smithtown HS East and Smithtown HS West, were represented. Eight of the twenty works were submitted by students from Smithtown HS West, both photography students and Media Art Society members. Smithtown HS West artists included: Michael Gannotta, Alyssa Saunders, Ana Penavic, Kelly Lynch, Hannah Irwin, Ryan Madigan, Veronica Weinstein, John Bakunas & Lara Sarette.  Two students from HS West placed in the contest.  First place was awarded to 10th grader Kelly Lynch, and third place was awarded to 9th grader John Bakunas.