Message From Legislator John Kennedy

Friends,

It gives me great pleasure to announce the commencement of a safety improvement project to our district. Several years ago, a teenager on a bicycle was struck while attempting to cross the street resulting in a very serious injury. In an effort to address this issue, I have worked tirelessly to study and create a bill that would prevent another occurrence of this kind. At our most recent General Meeting, the Suffolk County Legislature voted unanimously (18-0) to pass IR 1380 – a project that will reconstruct the intersection of CR 16, Smithtown Boulevard and Gilbert Ave/Sheppard Lane to improve traffic flow and safety. This is a relatively high volume intersection with vehicles traveling at high speeds.

The Suffolk County Department of Public Works (SCDPW) retained the RBA Group to perform an analysis of existing traffic and safety conditions along the subject corridor and to develop engineering solutions that will result in improvements of the safety for all users, while minimizing impacts to the local community. Based on RBA’s analysis of accident and traffic data from the past three years, along with observations noted in the field, several recommendations were made to the County in regards to how to best accomplish our goal. 

The study revealed compelling statistical information that further supports our need for this safety improvement. There were a total of 32 accidents in the three-year period between January 2007 and December 2009 along CR 16 within the study limits. The accident analysis showed that the most frequent type of accidents on CR 16 were rear-end, right angle, and overtaking. The contributing factors were often driver inattention, failure to yield right of way and excessive speeds; 85% percent of drivers in the study area were found to be in the range of 45-49 mph, considerably higher than the posted speed limit of 35 mph.

In addition to a statistical analysis, the RBA group also conducted a field observation. In the field, it was observed that eastbound and westbound vehicles on CR 16 routinely overtake left turning vehicles at the Gilbert Avenue/Sheppard Lane intersection, utilizing both the striped gore area and the shoulder area which leads to a number of narrowly avoided accidents.

The types of accidents that occur at the Gilbert Avenue/Sheppard Lane intersection are not those that would be corrected by a traffic signal. In fact, rear-end accidents, which are the ones most prevalent at this location, would typically increase with the installation of a traffic signal. In addition, it was determined that it is not feasible to redirect traffic from Gilbert Avenue, as it would create a negative impact on adjacent residential roadways. The accidents that occur on CR 16 can be avoided by measures that oblige drivers to reduce their speeds.

Three (3) design alternatives were developed for SCDPW’s consideration to mitigate the safety and geometric issues identified by the RBA group. Proposed elements include a variation of minor geometric modifications and traffic calming measures including: raised medians and islands, modifications to pavement markings, new signage, modifications to curb radii, new turn lanes, traffic management measures as well as a roundabout alternative. After careful consideration, we found it most sensible to adopt a design that will create center two-way left turn lanes to provide storage for vehicles and reduce rear-end accidents, create a left turn lane for westbound vehicles to enter Gilbert Avenue, create a raised center median west of Gilbert Avenue intended as a traffic calming feature to reduce vehicle speeds, as well as to create a curb extension to improve alignment of Gilbert Avenue with Sheppard Lane.

Currently, construction is set to begin within a few months and we hope to have the project completed by the end of the year. As always, public safety is at the forefront of our agenda and I will continue to remain diligent in my efforts to help improve our district and our county’s safety and quality of life. Please feel free to contact my office with any questions or concerns regarding this matter.

As always if you have any questions, please feel free to contact me at (631) 854-3735.

John M. Kennedy, Jr.

Lynne C. Nowick - "I want to do what's right for the people of Smithtown..."

A Farmer’s Daughter Walks in His Footsteps by Maureen Rossi

Lynne C. NowickLiving the quiet life of a farmer’s daughter in bucolic St. James, Lynne Cannataro- Nowick’s childhood was punctuated by excursions to her father’s softball games and her brother’s baseball games.“It was a very quiet community, no one was really around, most of my time was spent with my family,” says Nowick.

Her girlhood dream of becoming an English teacher faded and she went off to work in the Suffolk County Court System. After two decades in the courts, Lynne ran a successful campaign for Smithtown Receiver of Taxes. She served the people of Smithtown in that capacity for six* years before successfully running for a seat on the Suffolk County Legislature in the 13th Legislative District (LD).“It was a whole new ballpark, I had to learn about sewers, the Department of Health, maintaining county roads and getting grants for the police and sheriff departments,” she said.

For the last twelve years, Nowick has enjoyed her seat representing the people in the 13th LD which includes most areas north of Rte. 25 (Middle Country Rd) in Smithtown and parts of  Huntington in Commack and E. Northport. She tells Smithtown Matters that the scope of the role of County Legislator is complex. It includes owning and operating a jail, consumer protection, overseeing a college and the county budget. “It was an eye opener and I had to learn it all, and learn it I did,” she added.

Known for bringing music to Smithtown with her Family Concert Summer Series, she has also advocated for land preservation and young people.   Sitting on three legislative committees, (Economic Development & Energy, Parks and Recreation and Ways and Means), she has sponsored and co-sponsored pieces of legislation that affect the lives of Smithtown residents.   

 “My favorite piece of legislation was preventing the sale of cough syrup (dextromethorphan or DXM) to minors. The Suffolk County Legislature was the first county in the nation to pass this legislation,” shared Nowick. The abuse of DXM is known as “Skittling” and “Robotrippling” and it was an wide-spread problem with teens in Suffolk and around the country before the legislation came to fruition.   According to KidsHealth.org, a national non-profit that works to ensure the health and development of the nation’s children, taking mass quantities of products containing DXM can cause hallucinations, loss of motor control, blurred vision, paranoia, slurred speech, vomiting, irregular heartbeat, high blood pressure, seizures, brain damage, and even death. She says when she became aware of this societal problem she sprang into action: however, the first piece of legislation was not supported in the legislature, so she continued to educate her peers until it eventually passed.

“I also co-sponsored the legislation calling for the formation of Suffolk County Opiate Heroin Advisory Panel; they showed up, they worked hard and they cared,” she added. Known to many in the field of addiction as the addiction-prevention dream team, the panel met many times and came up with dozens of recommendations to address the county’s youth opiate and heroin epidemic. 

Nowick’s legislation falls into many categories:  Consumer Affairs, Economic Development, Land Preservation, Public Safety and Real Property Taxes.  After Hurricane Sandy she worked with Nassau County Legislators and Chambers of Commerces appealing to Senators Schumer and Gilibrand to obtain grants for small businesses.“If a local pizza place is closed for two weeks due to no power, they lose two big Friday night’s worth of business, that’s a mortgage payment for these people,” she lamented.

Nowick has helped to secure funding for sewer studies to advance downtown revitalization.  She often works closely with her Smithtown counterpart, Republican Minority Leader John Kennedy.   They recently gave a presentation about sewers to the Kings Park Civic Association.

As her last term on the Suffolk County Legislature winds down, what’s on the agenda for this life-long resident of Smithtown?  Nowick tells Smithtown Matters that she would like to round out her political career on the Smithtown Town Board as a Councilwoman. “I want to sit in the seat that my father sat in for twenty-four years,” she explained. Her father’s path to Town Hall might sound unusual today, the late Eugene Cannataro went from St. James farmer to Smithtown Councilman, however, Nowick said “back then many farmers did go into politics.”

The recipient of many awards and accolades, Nowick speaks of none of them, however, she does share many sweet stories of her constituents and of raising two daughters in St. James while she pursued politics.  She encourages woman who have a dream of being involved to pursue politics because it’s enormously gratifying.

Nowick has run cell phone drives to help domestic abuse victims, coat drives for the homeless and Sandy victims. She recently ran a pet drive for constituents affected by the recession to help feed their animals and keep their beloved pets.

“I want to do what’s right for the people of Smithtown and bring the town into the 21^st century while maintaining the nice quality of life we have,” she said. To do this Nowick will run a primary against two incumbent Councilmen McCarthy and Malloy.  She says there are more people who need help and she plans on winning that primary.  

*The article incorrectly stated the amount of time Lynne Nowick was Smithtown Receiver of Taxes.  The  article has been amended to reflect that she served six years.

2013 Commack Memorial Day Parade

2013 Memorial Day Parade - Photos courtesy of Teese & Associates

NY State Police Graduate 192 - Three From Our Area

Congratulations to Joseph D. Janssen from Hauppauge, Anthony S. Neglia from Smithtown and  Eric J. Orth from St. James on their graduation from the New York State Police Academy. Eric will be joining Troop K - Poughkepsie.  Anthony and Joseph will be joining Troop F - Middletown. 

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today addressed 192 new members of the State Police at the 199th session graduation ceremony from the Basic School of the New York State Police Academy.on his graduation from the New York State Police Academy. Eric J. Orth has been assigned to Troop K - Poughkeepsie.

“Today’s graduates join the ranks of courageous men and women who work tirelessly to protect the people of New York,” said Governor Cuomo. “I am grateful for the outstanding work that members of the New York State Police do every day to keep our state safe. On behalf of New Yorkers everywhere, I congratulate today’s graduates and their families, and thank them for their commitment to service.”

“This graduating class is the newest generation of men and women who will serve the citizens of New York State with honor and integrity,” said New York State Police Superintendent Joseph A. D’Amico. “To our graduates, today is a celebration of the hard work and perseverance you have shown during your 26 weeks of difficult training. I congratulate all of our new Troopers, and I am proud to welcome them to our ranks.”

In addition to honoring all graduates from the 199th Session of Basic School, Superintendent D’Amico presented the following awards:

Trooper Carlos V. Spencer, 35, of Buffalo, NY was elected as class representative. He will be assigned to Troop D.

The winner of the “Academic Performance Award” is Trooper Devin A. Dunn, age 27, of Lancaster, NY. Throughout the Academy training program, he achieved an overall academic average of 98.36 percent. He will be assigned to Troop E.

The winner of the “Superintendent’s Firearms Proficiency Award” is Trooper Devin R. Bacon, age 28, of Stafford, NY. During firearms training, he fired an average score of 250 out of a possible 250. He will be assigned to Troop E.

The winner of the “Joseph T. Aversa Physical Training Award” is Trooper Zachary A. Eppler, age 25, of Plattsburgh, NY. During the physical agility testing, he achieved the highest score of all 192 members of the 199th Session, a tribute to his physical conditioning. He will be assigned to Troop B.

The graduation ceremony was held at the Empire State Plaza Convention Hall in Albany where the new troopers marched into the convention center in a procession lead by the New York State Police Pipe and Drum band. The National Anthem was performed by Trooper Daniel Brown. The ceremony included a video presentation of the training received by all members of the 199th Basic School Session. 

The new troopers will report for field duty on June 3, 2013 and July 8, 2013 respectively. For the following 10 weeks the new troopers will be evaluated under a field-training program supervised by senior Field Training Officers.

Relief Coming For Edgewood Residents Living Near Blighted Site

Property located at 436 Edgewood Ave.A unanimous vote by the Town Board on Thursday, May 23 is paving the way for the remediation and/or removal of unsafe structures at 436 Edgewood Ave., Smithtown. The property, according to the town’s resolution, is “reputedly” owned by the  Church of the Gospel Ministry. 

The town has been aware of the blighted home for years and has made several unsuccessful attempts at contacting the property owner. With the home deteriorating and deemed unsafe by the building department the structures will more than likely be razed soon. According to Town Attorney, John Zollo, the process will take a approximately thirty days. The vote set the process in motion, a bid will need to be prepared and awarded before the property can be made safe. 

If you are on Edgewood what you may notice about the property is the bamboo forest.  The bamboo is so dense you cannot see anything beyond it. According to neighbors who spoke at the Town Board meeting this is a blighted property. The house is partially boarded up and dangerous. The property has been used for illegal drug activity and  currently houses rats and mice. The pool on the property is a breeding ground for mosquitoes and neighbors fear West Nile Virus.  

Grace Church was represented by Pastor Scott Invaldse who supports the clean up of the property. Pastor Scott spoke of his concern for the children who attend events at his church. According to Pastor Scott, sections of the fence are down, there is flooding in the basement due to a water pipe break, and the pool is filled with water. “The buildings are beyond repair.” 

A request was made by a neighbor that notification be made before razing the structures on the property. The request for notification comes from the concern that the animals living in the buildings and mosquitoes in the pool (there was a suggestion that the health department would bomb the pool)  will seek shelter in neighboring homes.  Zollo agreed to provide notification to those in a 200’ radius and to post signage on the property.