Processing Plant in Smithtown, Operating Since October 2010, Raising Some Questions

By Phil Forte

SMITHTOWN – Less than a year old, the Eco-Friendly Services’ (EFS) processing plant in Smithtown is receiving attention from residents and officials in the Town.

The plant*, which opened last August, is located in an industrial area at 168 Townline Road.  EFS contract’s with restaurants to purchase their used cooking oil for the purpose of recycling and reprocessing.  After reprocessing, the used cooking oil is sold to businesses burning No. 2 and No. 4 oil for the production of heat and electricity.

One of the more prominent issues with the plant is the possible consequences it may have on the environment, with regards to air pollution.  “What are the byproducts of this [processing plant]? There’s a lot of questions that need to be answered,” said Frank DeRubeis, Director of the Smithtown Planning and Community Development Department. “If you’re refining something there’s going to be questions. Where does that stuff go? What chemicals do you use? How will you store them in a given process? Those are the kind of things we are interested in.”

The process of recycling cooking oil, involves collecting used oil then discharging the oil into a container through a filter screen, heating such oil to 110 degrees Fahrenheit thereby separating the water from the oil and other contaminants.

The oil is collected by tanker trucks, which transport the oil from restaurants to the EFS plant on Townline Road.  EFS pays these restaurants by the gallon for their discarded oil. This process reportedly uses no additional chemicals and in turn,the finished product lessens the amount of sulfur in the air, making the oil more environmentally friendly than diesel or any other gas. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, sulfur is a major air pollutant and has significant impacts in human health.

“The reprocessed oil isn’t putting sulfur into the atmosphere,” said Bruce Ettenberg, President of the Commack Civic Association, who visited the plant last Sunday for the first time. “It’s a small plant and it operates with out workers or staff.” (Truckers load and unload product)

“It’s safer. The containment around the area prevents any outside contamination if a spill were to take place,” Ettenberg added. “There is no smell or outside emission.”

One major issue with the plant raising eyebrows in Smithtown is the possible zoning violations the plant may house.  According to an application submitted to the Department of Environmental Conservation, “The applicant proposes to operate a Used Cooking Oil Processing Facility within a 1,000 sq. ft. area inside an existing building on an existing industrial site. Operations consist of straining out particulate matter and then removing water from the oil to establish the finished product, which is then shipped off site.”

“There has been no permit filed for a change of use on site,” DeRubeis said. “We are pro-green. Whether it’s wind, recycling or alternate fuels or things like that, we are supportive of those kind of things but at the same time we want to take a hard look and make sure that everything is done correctly.”

The town has yet to comment on any possible zoning violations.  ESS has not yet responded to Smithtown Matters’ inquiry.  

Update on Thursday, June 2, 2011 at 2:42PM by .

* Correction - The processing plant has been open since October of 2010. 

Epic Comeback Not Enough for Smithtown West in Suffolk Finals; Fall to West Islip in Overtime

By Anthony Vertucci

When Alex Dodge scored the tying goal for Smithtown West with 34 seconds left in regulation to cap an incredible comeback it appeared as if a Bulls victory was written in the stars. It was not meant to be however, as the undefeated West Islip Lions scored in sudden death overtime to take the victory and their eighth consecutive Suffolk Class A title.

Islip took a 5-0 lead in the first quarter, which included goals from Drew Federico and Tom Moore. Smithtown finally got on the board at 3:39 in the first with a goal from Matt Schultz, his first of four goals Wednesday afternoon.  The game took place at Kenneth P. LaValle Stadium at Stony Brook University.Matt Schultz

Brendan Smith and Mike Sagl led Islip with three goals each. Smith’s scoring included the game-winning goal with 2:28 remaining in the first and only overtime period.

Today marks Smithtown’s star attacker Kyle Keenan’s final game for Smithtown. “It was a great season. We really became a total team this season and it just shows today what we can do, how we came back and rallied as a team,” said Keenan, who had three goals and five assists in the game. “We played a team brand of lacrosse and that’s how we were in the position to win. It was a great game that just didn’t go our way.”

After taking a seven-goal lead Islip began to show some cracks in their defense, of which Smithtown capitalized. Goals from Keenan and Schultz brought the score to 9-4 heading into the half. Ryan Joseph scored at 10:23 in the third quarter, after which both squads showed impeccable defense by holding each other scoreless for the next nine minutes. Schultz pulled his team within three at 3:48, but Conor Braddish fired right back to make it 10-6. With 28 seconds remaining in the quarter Keenan had his second goal of the day to once again decrease Islip’s lead to three.

The teams had only met one previous time this season, a dramatic 8-7 overtime victory for Islip on May 6. Today’s victory keeps Islip’s (14-0, 16-0) perfect season on track, and increases their undefeated streak to 40. Last month’s loss was Smithtown’s (12-3, 13-3) third in the regular season.

“We had opportunities they just weren’t going in. Maybe it was just being at the big dance and not used to being there,” said Smithtown head coach Sean Keenan. “Second half we showed what we could do. If we played a full game like we did in the second, maybe the outcome would be a lot different.  They played a great first quarter and it came back to haunt us. We just came up a little shy.”

The fourth quarter belonged to Smithtown, as they continued their comeback with a goal from Ryan Joseph.  Nick Aponte, who also had three assists for Islip, scored several moments later to give his team the 11-8 lead. With just 3:35 left in the game, Smithtown had to act fast if they wanted to overcome a three goal deficit. Frank Reda and Kyle Keenan answered the call to bring Smithtown within one with two minutes remaining. The big goal came with 34 seconds left on the clock after Keenan set up Dodge for the game tying goal. The Smithtown fans erupted as the game went to overtime.Smithtown Fans Erupt As Game Go Into Overtime

With the game headed to sudden death most of the crowd was on their feet. Islip goalie Kyle Turri, made a fantastic stick save off an attempt from James Pannell to keep the game alive. Smith’s goal at 2:28 clinched the game and the Suffolk Championship for Islip. 

“We had our chance in overtime; their goalie made a great save,” said coach Keenan. “All the kids just played great. We played with heart and desire the entire season and we never gave up. It’s a shame we had to end the season that way.” 

A.G. SCHNEIDERMAN TO SUE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT TODAY FOR FAILURE TO STUDY “FRACKING”

NEW YORK - Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman announced he will file a lawsuit today against the federal government for its failure to commit to a full environmental review of proposed regulations that would allow natural gas drilling – including the potentially harmful “fracking” technique – in the Delaware River Basin.  Last month, the Attorney General notified the federal government that if it did not commit to conducting an environmental review before the regulations authorizing gas drilling are finalized, he would take legal action to compel such a study. “Before any decisions on drilling are made, it is our responsibility to follow the facts and understand the public health and safety effects posed by potential natural gas development,” Attorney General Schneiderman said. “The federal government has an obligation to undertake the necessary studies, and as I made clear last month, this office will compel it to do so. The welfare of those living near the Delaware River Basin, as well as the millions of New Yorkers who rely on its pure drinking water each day, will not be ignored.” In April, just one day before a blowout at a Pennsylvania natural gas drilling site caused gallons of chemical-laced water to spill over neighboring land and into a stream, the Attorney General demanded that the federal government comply with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). The law requires federal agencies to conduct a full review of actions that may cause significant environmental impacts. Despite the legal requirement, the Delaware River Basin Commission (DRBC) – with the approval of its supporting federal agencies – proposed regulations allowing natural gas development in the Basin without undertaking any such review. Represented by U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Brigadier General Peter A. DeLuca, the involved federal agencies include the Army Corps, the National Park Service, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Environmental Protection Agency.  Schneiderman called on the federal government to comply with its NEPA obligations by suspending its consideration of the proposed regulations and undertaking a full review of all public health and safety risks posed by natural gas development in the Basin.  At that time, Schneiderman further called for this review to include an evaluation of the cumulative impacts of widespread fracking within the Basin as well as the alternative of not authorizing natural gas development within the portion of the Basin that includes New York City’s West-of-Hudson watershed.  While the federal agencies determined that natural gas drilling in the Basin would potentially result in significant environmental impacts and that the study of those impacts should be performed, the DRBC’s lead agency, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, responded last week and made clear that it and the other member agencies would make no such commitment. The determination undermines the NEPA requirement. As a result, Schneiderman announced today that he is filing a lawsuit in federal District Court in Brooklyn, where General DeLuca’s office is located, to compel an environmental review before regulations authorizing gas drilling are finalized. The proposed natural gas development regulations allow high-volume hydraulic fracturing combined with horizontal drilling (a technique commonly referred to as “fracking”) – within the Basin. Unless studied and subject to strict controls, fracking poses risks to the environment, health, and communities, including the withdrawal of large volumes of water from creeks and streams, potential contamination of drinking water supplies, waste generation, increased noise, dust and air pollution, and potential harms to community infrastructure and character from increased industrial activity. Due to the potential for significant impacts from gas fracking within the Basin, the relevant federal agencies are obligated to comply with NEPA by performing a full review of the impact of the DRBC proposed natural gas development regulations.   The Delaware River Basin includes a portion of the New York City watershed and parts of Broome, Chenango, Delaware, Schoharie, Green, Ulster, Orange and Sullivan Counties. The federally designated Upper Delaware Scenic and Recreational River (and its tributaries), is a nationally significant fishing, boating and recreational destination. In addition, roughly 58 percent of the land area of New York City’s West-of-Hudson watershed is within the Basin.   That portion of the watershed provides most of the drinking water used by over nine million New York residents and visitors.   The DRBC estimates that its proposed regulations would allow 15,000 to 18,000 gas wells to be drilled within the Basin, most of which are expected to be developed by fracking.  The regulations were proposed without first conducting an assessment of the environmental impacts related to allowing fracking in the Basin. The DRBC is a federal-interstate body created through a compact agreed to by the President, Congress, state Legislators and governors of New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Delaware.  The Commission has legal authority to approve or disapprove activities that may have a substantial effect on the water resources within the 13,500 square mile Delaware River Basin — including over 2,300 square miles in New York. Under federal law, the DRBC and the federal agencies involved in formulating its policies and regulations are subject to NEPA.     This matter is being handled by New York City Watershed Inspector General Philip Bein, New York City Watershed Inspector General Scientist Charles Silver, Ph.D., and Assistant Attorneys General Michael J. Myers, Morgan Costello and Adam Dobson under the supervision of the Attorney General’s Environmental Protection Bureau Chief Lemuel M. Srolovic.

Memorial Day Parades - A Memorable Salute in Smithtown, St. James

By Phil Forte

SMITHTOWN – Hundreds of people gathered along Main Street in Smithtown on Monday at noon for the annual Knights of Columbus Memorial Day Parade. From Singer Lane to Town Hall, crowds of singles, families, and veterans alike cheered the marching bands, antique roadsters and trucks, while taking in the smell of barbequed hamburgers, hotdogs and sausages.

“It was a great parade,” said Tony LaVecchia, a veteran and proud member of the Knights of Columbus. “I’ve never seen so many people at one parade. The community was quite supportive, too.”

Cheers engulfed Main Street as veterans; followed by police, fire trucks and marching bands from Smithtown and Hauppauge school districts paraded down Main Street.  Cub scouts, karate teams and baton twirlers were also greeted with cheers as they headed towards Town Hall to the reviewing stand. 

The festivities ended with a solemn 21-gun salute following a rendition of Taps on a bugle, honoring the nations flag and those who died fighting in the nation’s wars.

“It turned out pretty well,” said Nick Albanese, Commander of the American Legion, James Ely Miller Post 833 in Smithtown.

 “The remembrance this day brings makes you think about a lot.”

“It’s a reminder of the sacrifices made in the past,” added Larry Cervellino, a veteran of two overseas tours as an aircraft carrier pilot, who, when asked what his favorite part of the parade was, described that instead of marching on foot, he was excited to be riding in a vintage car. “I was fortunate enough to get a ride in one of the antique automobiles, a 1956 Packard coupe.”

Earlier in the day, on Woodlawn and Lake Avenue, VFW Post 395 in St. James held their own parade. After concluding their march and memorial ceremony at St. James Elementary School, members of the VFW Post 395 and members of the community headed back to the post where tents were set up for a barbeque-fueled lunch consisting of hot dogs, hamburgers, vegetables an array of toppings, soda, juice, water and beer, too.

“That’s what it’s all about right there,” said Chairman Lee Dike, pointing to a couple paying homage to the American flag. “It’s about remembering those veterans who made the ultimate sacrifice for their country and to appreciate those who came before us.”

Commander of the VFW Post 395 Frank Todaro added, “It’s good to see the veterans receiving recognition from the public. The memorial service leads the course, though. 

Play Ball - Age Defying Seniors Swing for the Fences

By Anthony Vertucci

Some say that youth is wasted on the young. The members of the Suffolk Senior Softball League apparently never got that memo, as they continue to play with the same passion and fire that drives little leaguers.

The Smithtown Patriots battled the Huntington Baymen in the first game of a doubleheader Thursday morning in a back and forth encounter which saw four lead changes. The spirit of competition and the desire to win in this 60 and over league is intense proving that one is never too old to enjoy America’s pastime.

The Baymen jumped out early with a leadoff triple, which quickly turned into an RBI on the second pitch of the game. Down 2-0 heading into the bottom of the first inning, the home field Patriots showed zero signs of intimidation. They fired back with four runs of their own, including a sacrifice fly to deep right from Palmer Scumaci.

“This is a tough club and we fought hard today,” said Patriots’ manager Bill McKadden. “We have seven guys out of 18 roster players who are in their 70s, so it’s a little tough for us when we play other teams who have younger players in their early 60s. We can beat them and we do, but it’s tougher playing guys 15 years younger than you. So it’s great to get a win like this.”

In the top of the sixth the Baymen overcame a three run deficit with four hits, including a two-out two-run double up the middle. After shutting down the Patriots in the bottom half of the inning the Baymen tacked on one more run to head to the bottom of the seventh and final inning with an 8-6 lead.

The Patriots knew they were down but not out, they had faced a similar situation on May 3 in a game against the Chiefs. Down five runs entering the seventh, Smithtown rallied to an 11-10 victory.

Greg Anderson, 67, led off the final frame with a hard-hit single to left. Anderson, who grew up in Nassau, has been playing ball all his life and has known some of his teammates for over fifty years.

After climbing back into the game mid fielder Dennis Cassidy, who celebrates his sixty-first birthday tomorrow, delivered the game winning hit to complete the rally and give his team the 9-8 win. The Patriots briefly celebrated their victory before heading back to the dugout to prepare for the second game.

“What a great comeback. It’s the second time this year we came back in the bottom of the seventh inning to win, and it feels great to contribute like that,” said Cassidy. “We got some lucky breaks finally. We got a beautiful day out, great weather, and the field was in great condition.”

The Patriots were not so fortunate in the second game, as they fell to the Baymen 7-1.

The Patriots maintain third place in the National division after the split. They will have an opportunity to gain some ground on the league leading Brookhaven Silver Streaks when the two teams meet on Tuesday.

Brady Park is shared between both the Smithtown Patriots and the Bulls. Every Tuesday and Thursday, one-team hosts a doubleheader while the other is on the road.