The Smithtown Town Board held a regular meeting on Thursday, February 19, 2026, at 2:00 PM in the Victor T. Liss Board Room. The board heard a public hearing and unanimously adopted Local Law #1-2026 implementing four state-mandated tax exemptions for seniors, disabled veterans, active duty service members, and surviving spouses of police officers killed in the line of duty. The board also approved numerous administrative items, site plans, personnel actions, and a $2,100,000 bond for drainage improvements.
Roll call. Supervisor Wellhard. Here, Councilman McCarthy. Councilwoman Noah. Councilwoman and Zoroah. Councilman Loman. Okay, before we begin the board meeting today. We have uh some parks department employees here. Um we're going to recognize their public service. Once a month we begin a town board meeting by honoring an employee whose dedication, talent, and character have made a meaningful impact on the community. Today it is my privilege to recognize Smithtown Parks Department groundskeeper Bob Zidane and laborer Jake Barrett. On February 2nd, during a severe winter weather snowstorm. An older resident fell near the street and was unable to get up. While his wife was unable to assist him, fortunately, a parks department vehicle observed the situation and immediately pulled over without hesitation. Bob Zidane and Jake Barrett sprang into action, assisting the gentleman to his feet and ensuring he returned safely to his home. Mr. Zidane, Groundskeeper 2, who has proudly served since 2010, and Mr. Barrett, a laborer, who joined the town in 2023. Both work under the supervision of Marcel Calais, town maintenance crew leader, caring for the grounds at all of the town facilities with dedication and pride. Their quick response and willingness to help a resident in need reflect the same care and commitment they bring to their daily responsibilities. Their actions exemplify professionalism, teamwork, and a genuine concern for the well-being of our community on behalf of the town board and the entire Smithtown community. Thank you for being a shining example of what public service is all about. Gentlemen, congratulations. Great work and uh and keep up the good work for us. Zedan. They might be clutching the backballs. You know what? We'll give it to them after the Jake Barrett. I don't see him. They might be in the role. We'll give him to them at the animal. Okay. Okay. Very good. Congratulations to both of those gentlemen. Thanks for beginning. If I may, how many folks are here, which I believe there are quite a few, in regard to the tax exemptions that were passed by the state of New York? Almost the whole crowd. So let me explain what we're going to do before we start. On the agenda today, you'll see a public hearing, which will be presented by one of our town assistant town attorneys. She's going to explain the local law that we have to produce to make these exemptions eligible to you folks that are here and anybody else that is eligible for them. So our intention today, this board, is to hear the public hearing, close the hearing, and adopt the local laws, which gives everybody the right then to access to these tax exemptions if you're eligible. There is a deadline. So it has we have time for you folks to apply. Mr. DeCoto, our tax assessor will stay after the meeting for any questions or anything you have on how you proceed to do that. We have our attorneys here as well. And they can explain the procedures on how you go forth and get uh your your um requests in and make your applications before the deadline. And if there's any extensions, I think Mr. Ricordo will be able to help you with that.