Smithtown Town Board Regular Meeting - January 22, 2026
Smithtown Town Board Regular Meeting - January 22, 2026
The Smithtown Town Board held a regular meeting on January 22, 2026, at 2:00 PM in the Victor T. Liss Board Room. The board addressed four public hearings on fee amendments, approved a consent agenda with numerous budget transfers and resolutions, and conducted personnel appointments amid public controversy over the hiring of Kevin Smith as Public Relations Assistant. The meeting also included a site plan review for the Smithtown Fire District and public comments on various town issues.
Consent Calendar
- Minutes approval for January 6, 2026.
- Comptroller items 1–10 as listed on the agenda, including budget transfers and account adjustments for forestry, parks, highway, traffic safety, and capital projects.
- All consent items were approved unanimously (5-0).
Public Comments & Testimony
- Bonnie Steinmiller (99 Brookside Drive, Smithtown): Expressed support for Kevin Smith's appointment, stating opposition to protests against him and asserting that his political views should not affect his qualifications.
- Joseph Verde Bosa Jr. (583 North Country Road, St. James): Urged the board to fill empty committee seats to improve local government engagement; offered to serve as a volunteer public relations liaison.
- Amanda Rotomista (42 Riviera Drive, Kings Park): Raised safety concerns about duck hunting along the Nissequogue River near San Remo, citing incidents where gunfire spooked a dog and a cyclist. Requested a ban on firearm discharge near residential areas and asked for signage. Supervisor Wareheim suggested a follow-up meeting.
- Stephen Biondi (49 Sunny Road, St. James): Criticized the town's oversight of a subdivision at East End Court, alleging missing conservation easement records, lack of performance bonds, and inadequate fire safety reviews. Cited an advisory opinion from the NYS Committee on Open Government.
- Amy Biondi (49 Sunny Road, St. James): Described propane leaks from a neighboring subdivision, lack of inspection records, and failure to provide FOIL responses. Called for independent safety verification.
- Patty Stoddard (400 Gibbs Pond Road, St. James): Read a letter from Amy Fortunato opposing Kevin Smith's hiring due to an alleged romantic relationship with the Public Information Officer, calling it nepotism and a conflict of interest. Stoddard added that the position was not posted on the town website.
- Mike Rosado (12 Country Oaks Drive, Kings Park): Criticized the town's take-home vehicle program as fiscally irresponsible, and opposed Kevin Smith's hiring, citing Smith's involvement with the Loud Majority group and alleged past assault. Characterized the hire as a political reward.
Discussion Items
- Public Hearings: Four hearings were held to amend town codes regarding fees (effective April 1, 2026):
- Chapter 322 (Zoning – Board of Appeals fees): Increased fees for certificates of existing use, area variances, site plan waivers, and nonprofit applications.
- Chapter 138 (Dredging): Raised application fees, deposits per cubic yard, and permit filing fees.
- Chapter 285 (Trees): Increased permit application fee from $100 to $200 and set fines between $500 and $2,500.
- Chapter 112 (Building Construction): Adjusted various residential and commercial permit fees (e.g., solar panels, plumbing, pools, demolition).
- Site Plan Review (Smithtown Fire District): Approved a 6,236 sq. ft. storage building extension on Elm Avenue, subject to four conditions (permits, tree protection, drainage disconnection, limited use). Unanimously approved.
- Personnel Appointment: The board voted on the appointment of Kevin Smith as Public Relations Assistant ($43/hour, effective January 26, 2026). Councilman Lowman and Councilwoman Isarello abstained; Councilwoman Lowick, Councilman McCarthy, and Supervisor Wareheim voted yes. Motion carried 3-0-2.
Key Outcomes
- All four fee amendment public hearings were closed and the resolutions were adopted unanimously (5-0).
- The consent agenda (budget transfers, bonds, contracts, donations, etc.) was approved unanimously.
- SEQRA negative declaration for the Smithtown Fire District site plan was issued.
- Bids and RFPs were authorized as listed (e.g., swimming pool chemicals, parking lot improvements, asphalt resurfacing).
- Bonds totaling over $8 million for various capital improvements were approved.
- Personnel actions approved: Thomas Grimaldi (seasonal reappointment), Connor Berscak (Legislative Secretary), Kevin Smith (Public Relations Assistant, with two abstentions), and two administrative leaves/terminations.
- Supervisor reminded residents of an upcoming snowstorm on Sunday/Monday and urged removal of vehicles from roads.
Note: No written minutes were available; summary is based on the agenda and full transcript of the meeting.
Meeting Transcript
All right, we will start uh this afternoon. We have one site plan. Mr. Hans. Uh good afternoon, uh supervisor and members of the town board. Uh we have one site plan application for today for the town board to consider acting as the board of site plan review. This is uh for the Smithtown Fire District, uh right here on Elm Avenue. Um they're proposing a 6,236 square foot storage building. This is basically an extension of the existing building that's uh there now, uh fronting Elm, uh which uh backs up to the uh Department of Public Safety on the screen. You can see the properties highlighted in red. Um this is the property that's sandwiched between the Maple Garden Apartments and Elm Avenue. Uh this is the existing structure that is currently there. This is a site plan showing how to basically be expanded to the south. And the architecture is meant to match the existing building that's there. We had recommended approval with uh four conditions. Um they obtain applicable permits from the building department. Uh the fire district is not exempt from uh requiring uh building permits. Uh the second is that they install orange mesh construction around trees to be preserved. That's actually been done as of now. Uh the third is the prior to the issuance of the CO, the pipe connection between the catch basins on the above reference site along Elm Avenue shall be located and disconnected. Uh currently it's tying into the town drainage system along Elm Avenue. And the fourth is that the use of the structure is limited to the fire department only. Um the fire department's in agreement and they've uh signed it. Um does the board have any questions? Questions by the board. No questions. This will be voted on at the conclusion of the agenda. Thank you, Mr. Hansen. All right, thank you. We will reconvene as Board of Water Commissioners. There's minutes approval January 6, 2026. A budget transfer for St. James Water District, agreement with PACE Analytical Services for Water Quality Testing Services for the Smithtown and St. James Water Districts. Uh release escrow, Oakwood Building Group, Plymouth Estates, and further authorize a budget modification for the Smithtown Water District, a budget transfer for the Smithtown Water District, Professional Engineering Services Agreement with H2M Architects and Engineers for the planning, rehabilitation, expansion of operation and maintenance of facilities at the Smithtown and St. James Water Districts and a bond for the water main extension at Oakside Drive and Landing Avenue in Smithtown. Councilman Lowen? Yes. Councilwoman Isarello? Yes. Councilwoman Lowen? Yes. Councilman McCarthy? Yes. Supervisor Willhound. Yes, I want to also acknowledge uh Councilman Loman and the remainder of the town board for your efforts on attaining this bond. This is going to hook up 22 homes on Oakside Drive. I think Suffort County has uh deemed a wells contaminated. Um those people have been very patient in the past, so congratulations to uh councilman lohman and the rest of the board for obtaining the bond so we could we could give those people clean water.
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