Smithtown Connections - The quarterly newsletter of 
the Smithtown Democratic Committee.

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Smithtown Democratic Committee - 2003 Town Platform

     Introduction:

Smithtown’s one party, partisan government has resulted in complacency, apathy, and stagnation.  The current government is run by and for the Republican Party, and not for the citizens of Smithtown, be they Republican, Democrat, or Independent.  It is time for and yes, healthy for the voters of Smithtown to elect new, proactive leadership.

Issues at a glance:

                          I.      Town Budget: The Smithtown Democratic Committee supports improving the town budget process to encourage in-depth scrutiny and real deliberation, and input, by town board members, as well as greater public involvement in the process.

                       II.      Government Pay Raises: Smithtown’s prolonged one party government has resulted in party paybacks, and unwarranted increases in some government officials’ paychecks.  Bipartisan government is the most effective way to prevent these abuses from happening.

                     III.      Town Appointments: Prolonged one party government has resulted in political cronyism in our town government.  Balanced, bipartisan government is again the most effective way to prevent these abuses from happening.

                    IV.      Litigation Expenses:  Settlements have and will cost taxpayers millions of dollars, and are paid by taking funds from our operating budgets or by issuing debt with additional interest expense.  Citizens of Smithtown, be they Republican, Democrat, or Independent, have been over-burdened by these litigation costs. 

                       V.      Land Use, Economic Development and the Environment: The Smithtown Democratic Committee supports and has called for the development of an updated Master Plan.  The last Master Plan was developed in 1957 and has not been updated since 1983.  Smithtown must develop an updated Master Plan that effectively sets guidelines for preserving the quality of life in our community, promoting economic development and a healthy tax base, and ensuring an environmentally sound future for our children.  Local planning decisions have a profound effect on every aspect of our lives. 

                    VI.      Re-use of Kings Park Psychiatric Center:  The Smithtown Democratic Committee supports a mixed-use re-development at the Kings Park Psychiatric Center which includes not only preservation of environmentally sensitive open space, but also commercial, residential and recreational uses.  A re-development plan must provide commercial property tax revenue to the Kings Park Central School District. Now that the state has accepted a bid by a private developer to purchase the property, the town government must rezone the property to ensure a mixed use that creates a healthier tax base, provides revenue to the Kings Park school district, stimulates the local economy, provides affordable senior housing and preserves or improves the quality of life in our town. Our town government must step in to ensure that the re-development of the site does not continue to drag on for many years to come.  The longer we delay action the more opportunity we lose to revitalize our community.

                  VII.      Nesconset Armory:  For over ten years the Smithtown Town Board has squabbled over the preferred use of the Nesconset Armory.  Much of the debate has been over whether the Armory property should become an active recreational center or a passive park.  The Smithtown Democratic Committee has supported limited development for recreational uses at the Nesconset Armory.  We have supported re-use that includes a band shell and community green along with sports fields and an updated building for community activities. 

              The current proposal to locate the expanded Smithtown YMCA at the site means the residents of Nesconset will be faced with all the burdens of development of the site -- increased traffic congestion and the like – but will have none of the benefits. 

The residents of Nesconset and of the town of Smithtown will not benefit from increased recreational facilities open to the community if the expanded YMCA is located at the site.

               VIII.      Public Accessibility and Accountability:  Greater visibility leads to greater accountability from government officials.  It is the responsibility of government to provide the greatest possible public access to the business and workings of government.  The Internet now makes it easy and inexpensive for government officials to meet this challenge.

              The Smithtown Democratic Committee supports and calls for the Town of Smithtown to re-schedule town board meetings, currently scheduled at 2:00 in the afternoon every other Tuesday.  The Smithtown Democratic Committee supports weekly town board meetings.  Two meetings per month must be held at 7:30 PM so that working citizens are able to attend and participate in the business of government.

              The Smithtown Democratic Committee also supports and calls for the Town of Smithtown to publish the complete town code, and minutes to town board meetings, including work sessions, on the town website.

               IX.    Councilmatic Districts:  The Smithtown Democratic Committee supports the establishment of councilmatic districts.  The present at large form of government is in the process of being changed Island-wide.  Councilmatic districts would:

·  Bring government closer to the people.

·  Promote greater accessibility and accountability.

·  Give voice to communities that currently have no voice in government.

·  Provide local representation.

·  Weaken the grip of special interests over town government.

Our Vision:

The Smithtown Democratic Committee sees a future where the citizens of Smithtown have a strong partnership with our town leaders. 

Smithtown citizens must be certain that public policy decisions put community needs before politics.  Fiscal accountability and visible government are mandatory to ensure that taxpayers are not overburdened, that the needs of the community are met, and that the citizens are assured that their government is working for them. 

The Smithtown Democratic Committee is not only ready and able to meet these challenges, we are certain that the only way to achieve these goals is to bring an end to our one party government in Smithtown.

Our vision is simple. 

Historic View:

For years the citizens of Smithtown have waited and wondered what the future holds for our community.  The Kings Park Psychiatric Center remains shuttered, abandoned and decaying after years of studies. While the town conducts study after study, the economic loss resulting from the closure lingers and mounts. Reuse of the Nesconset Armory property has been studied since the town received the property, and after ten years our town board could not even agree on whether or not to install a gazebo at the site.  Now the town board will begin to discuss whether or not the expanded YMCA should be located at the site. The YMCA plan for expansion at the Edgewood Avenue site was discussed for years while two of our town council members sat on the board of directors of the YMCA and were actively involved with the project   Upon public scrutiny of the project it was discovered that the YMCA does not even have permits for their current use, never mind the expanded uses. And our town council never addressed these issues until public opposition forced them to address them.  Now they want to move the project to the Nesconset Armory site. Our downtown business districts decline steadily, while those in other towns have been turned into active, thriving centers of economic and community activity with the support of their local governments.  Under town control, the quality of the Smithtown Library, declined so severely that the state of New York threatened to remove certification unless improvements were made.  Not surprisingly, citizens voted to separate the library from town government.  Promised reductions in town tax demands, to account for this separation, never materialized. 

 We have given our elected officials ample opportunity to act to improve our economic condition and the quality of life in our community.  Smithtown’s one party, partisan government has resulted in complacency, apathy, and stagnation.  The current government is run by and for the Republican Party, and not for the citizens of Smithtown, be they Republican, Democrat, or Independent.  It is time for and yes, healthy for the voters of Smithtown to elect new, proactive leadership.

It is up to the voters to decide the future of Smithtown at the polls on November 4, 2003. 

 Minutiae:

  I.      Town Budget

The Smithtown town board needs to be more vigilant in deciding how to most efficiently and effectively spend the hard earned dollars of the Smithtown taxpayers. 

The Smithtown Democratic Committee supports improving the town budget process to encourage in-depth scrutiny and real deliberation and input by town board members, as well as greater public involvement in the process. 

Our town candidates will:

·        Introduce resolutions to schedule evening town board budget work sessions.

·        Introduce resolutions to formalize in town code, a means by which town board members can introduce resolutions to amend specific lines in the budget,

·        Introduce resolutions to schedule public meetings on the town budget at a time and place that is accessible to the public and to promote greater public awareness of the public budget meetings.

·        Introduce resolutions to amend the budget lines so the taxpayers can determine how their money is being spent.

Year after year the Smithtown town board approves the budget proposed by the Town Supervisor with no proposed amendments and very little question, comment or discussion.  The inaction of the town board on the 2003 proposed budget was particularly disturbing since this budget proposed, and ultimately adopted, a 10.36 % increase in expenditures.  This included a 10% raise for the Highway Superintendent elected in November 2001, and in office for less than one year!  The public town budget meeting was scheduled for Halloween night.  The town board offered very little input and all too late in the process.

The 2003 Smithtown town budget adopted in November 2002, approved a 10.36 % increase in expenditures over the 2002 Smithtown adopted budget.  The town property tax increase for 2002-2003 over the prior year was 7.29%. 

Note: The 2003 expenditures and 2002-2003 tax rate changes are not immediately obvious in printed literature, including Smithtown property tax bills.  Smithtown property tax bills report a decrease in the town tax levy.  But there is no notation to alert homeowners to the separation of the town budget and the library budget for the first time.  Revenues and expenses for the Smithtown Library were included in the 2002 Smithtown town budget.  They are not included in the 2003 budget since the library is now a separate taxing district with their own budget.  Also, total town property tax rates for the 2001-2002 tax year included tax revenue for the Smithtown Library, whereas, in the 2002-2003 tax year town property taxes and tax rates do not include tax revenue for the Smithtown Library.  What appears on property tax bills to be a decrease in town tax levies is actually a 7.29% increase and what appears as a slight increase in expenditures in the 2003 Smithtown budget is actually a 10.36% increase.

(A copy of the Smithtown town budget is available at the Smithtown Town Clerk’s office.)  Revenues and expenditures approved in the 2002 Smithtown adopted budget totaled $75,877,388.00 including $6,606,226.00 for the Smithtown Library.  The 2003 Smithtown adopted budget included $76,450,650.00 and did not include library services since the new Smithtown Library district now proposes a separate budget for library services which must be voted on by the public.  Once the library services revenues and expenditures are deducted from the 2002, as they must be to make an accurate comparison, it becomes clear that budgeted town expenditures increased by $7,179,488.00, or 10.36%, between 2002 and 2003.  Comparing the tax rates between the two tax years excluding the library, which is now a separate taxing district and not included in the town tax rate, clearly shows a 7.29% increase in Smithtown town property tax rates from last year to this.

II.      Government Pay Raises

Highway Superintendent Ed Lynch was elected to office in November 2001 and began working in his new position on January 1, 2002.  In November 2002 the Smithtown town board approved a 10.19% pay for Mr. Lynch who was in his public service job for less than one year.  Mr. Lynch’s Deputy Highway Supervisor was given a $2,500.00 raise.

 In April 2002 Supervisor Vecchio received a 10.33% raise making him the third highest paid town supervisor in the 10 towns of Suffolk County.  And in 1999 the town board granted themselves a 41% increase and at the same time reduced the number of town board meetings by 50%.

In comparison, Long Island residents saw their income increase an average of 1.3% between 2001 and 2002, and 2.3% between 2000 and 2001.  Many Long Islanders are suffering wage and income cuts, the unemployment rate is increasing, the economy is faltering and large tax increases are anticipated on every level of government.

The pay raises approved by the town board are exorbitant and come at a bad time for Smithtown residents.  Our one party government has resulted in party paybacks, and unwarranted increases in some government officials’ paychecks.

 III.      Town Appointments

The Smithtown Democratic Committee acknowledges that it is within the legal rights of the Smithtown Town Board to choose appointed officials only from their political supporters, but in practice this excludes individuals who might be better qualified and might better serve the constituents of Smithtown.  Further, it is the taxpayers that suffer because of political cronyism in town government.

Recently, the town board appointed Republican committeewoman and campaign worker Victoria Brown as a Smithtown Traffic Hearings Officer.  We object to this appointment because she lacks the qualifications for the position, a position that is typically held by an attorney with knowledge of rules of evidence and experience in legal trials.  Ms. Brown’s appointment was made immediately after the taxpayers of Smithtown were forced to pay a $43,000.00 settlement due to the town’s mishandling of a traffic safety matter.

The Smithtown Board of Zoning Appeals and Planning Boards, both of which make critical land use decisions for the town of Smithtown, are comprised of Republican Party supporters who actively fundraise and campaign for Republican candidates in political campaigns.  There is a potential conflict of interest when the individuals who raise money for political candidates and the political party, are in a position to decide land use issues involving developers and others who are often campaign contributors.  There must be more diversity in town appointments in order to ensure the best possible outcome in land use planning for the people of Smithtown.

In addition, the Smithtown Code of Ethics must be strengthened.  Individuals who serve on the Executive Boards of political party committees must be prohibited from serving as town appointed officials.

 IV.     

Litigation expenses for town government can be either a small portion of the budget or a major portion of the town budget.  Such expenses are largely determined by how effectively the town is represented in lawsuits and the effectiveness of the legal advice the town receives from counsel.  The town’s first consideration when hiring legal counsel, including the town attorney, must be whether the attorney has the knowledge and experience to effectively represent the interest of Smithtown taxpayers and whether they have a record of success in litigation.  Only then can we be confident that the taxpayers will not be over-burdened by litigation expenses.

The taxpayers of Smithtown are now forced to pay a single settlement of $1.2 million.  Legal action on the case, which involves the town’s dumping of waste on private property, began in 1993.  In 1995, the town of Smithtown did not respond to court orders requesting that the town provide a “bill of particulars” in the case.  When a jury verdict found the town liable in January 2001, the town attorney who handled the case denied that the town had defaulted on the case or on any motions involved in the case and advised the town board to pursue an appeal of the verdict.  NYS Appellate Division in Brooklyn heard the case on April 1, 2002.  The Appellate Court decided against the Town of Smithtown on April 22, 2002 and ordered the town to pay legal costs as well as damages to the plaintiffs. 

The citizens of Smithtown, be they Republican, Democrat, or Independent, have been over-burdened by these litigation costs. 

 V.  Land Use, Economic Development and the Environment

Local government has primary responsibility for land use and development in the community.  Zoning ordinances, variance, site plan and special exception decisions are under the purview of town government and must conform to a comprehensive, or master plan for community development.  The Town of Smithtown issued its last Master Plan in 1957 and has not updated the plan since 1983. 

 The Smithtown Democratic Committee supports development of an updated Master Plan, which will preserve the quality of life in our community and promote economic development and a healthy tax base while ensuring an environmentally sound future for our children.  Local planning decisions have a profound effect on every aspect of our lives.  Traffic patterns, access to our waterways and beaches, the health of our environment and our families, residential property tax rates, and the economic vitality of our town, and especially our downtown shopping areas, are impacted by our local land use decisions.   Smart growth principles encourage comprehensive regional development to address these vital issues.  The implementation of smart growth principles in community planning will assist town government in revitalizing downtown commercial areas, ensure that residential and commercial development projects do not overburden existing highways, roadways, and infrastructures, and create a healthy and sustainable balance between open space preservation and commercial and residential development.  The Smithtown Democratic Committee supports the utilization of smart growth principles in developing an updated Master Plan for the Town of Smithtown.

Smithtown town government has taken a hands-off attitude towards downtown revitalization.  Our Main Street shopping districts have declined, as have Main Streets across the nation, as consumers flock to large shopping malls and mega-stores.  Although supportive with downtown revitalization projects initiated through the Suffolk County Downtown Revitalization grants program, Smithtown town government has not developed a comprehensive plan for economic revitalization of our downtown business districts and has shown no leadership in this area.  Effective local downtown revitalization will benefit our school districts, our local businesses and homeowners by creating a healthy tax base, attracting commercial and private investment and improving the aesthetic character of our communities.

Successful downtown revitalization programs are those that promote and support cultural, recreational, or entertainment facilities to attract visitors to commercial centers.  Town government must provide information, support and guidance to local not-for-profit cultural or arts organizations, chamber of commerce, and community planning groups that will develop venues in our downtown areas.  The town planning and building departments must provide consultation and support services to assist those attempting to create such facilities navigate town zoning ordinances and building code requirements. 

The Smithtown Democratic Committee calls for the suspension or reduction of applications fees for variances, site plans, and building improvements, for a limited period of time, for organizations creating such facilities.  Projects must be considered according to a comprehensive town-wide plan, to ensure that “neighborhood” projects do not compete with one another, and enhance rather than hinder overall growth.

Applications fees for variances, site plans, and building improvements should be suspended or reduced for a limited period of time, too, for land owners and business owners in the downtown shopping areas to allow them to improve our Main Street shopping districts.  This step will encourage the private sector to create a more economically viable and aesthetically pleasing Smithtown.

VI. Re-development of the Kings Park Psychiatric Center

The Kings Park Psychiatric Center has sat vacant and decaying since it was closed in 1996.  The Town of Smithtown has full zoning authority over the site.  It is therefore, the town that will determine how the property may be re-developed.  Although the town has overseen a number of community studies for re-use, all of which recommend a mixed use including commercial, residential and recreational uses, our town government has not supported any plan for the site.  Our town, county and state officials have spent their time blaming each other for the lack of resolution with the site, rather than working cooperatively to ensure the best outcome for our community. Petty arguments between elected officials in place of leadership have prevented us from moving forward with a viable plan for the re-use of the Kings Park Psychiatric Center property.

The Smithtown Democratic Committee supports a mixed-use re-development at the Kings Park Psychiatric Center which includes preservation of environmentally sensitive open space as well as commercial, residential and recreational uses.  A re-development plan must provide commercial property tax revenue to the Kings Park Central School District. The tax base in the school district currently includes an approximately 98% residential tax base.  This type of assessment places an overwhelming property tax burden on homeowners.  Commercial and recreational uses will bring sorely needed consumers into the Kings Park downtown shopping districts, revitalizing our community and stimulating our local economy.  Government offices at the site would be acceptable on a portion of the property and would provide a consumer base, but not improve our tax base or provide revenue for our school district.  Buildings on the periphery of the site should be considered for government offices, rather than a current proposal for use of buildings located in the center of the site, to avoid interference with potential private development.  Now that the state has accepted a bid from a private developer to purchase the site, county officials who propose using buildings on the site for government offices must contact the purchasers and negotiate a plan.  The town council must rezone the property to ensure the optimum balanced development at the site. Town government must be careful not to over develop the site.  The re-development must enhance the community, not overwhelm it.

Our town government must step in to ensure that the re-development of the site does not continue to drag on for many years to come.  The longer we delay action the more opportunity we lose to revitalize our community.

  VII.      Nesconset Armory

For over ten years the Smithtown Town Board has squabbled over the preferred use of the Nesconset Armory.  Much of the debate has been over whether the Armory property should become an active recreational center or a passive park.  The town board has been unable to reach consensus on this issue and on whether the existing building should be renovated, or abolished and replaced with a new structure.

The Smithtown Democratic Committee has supported limited development for recreational uses at the Nesconset Armory.  We supported re-use that includes a band shell and community green along with sports fields and an updated building for community activities.  Since we have not had access to the engineering reports on the existing building, we have not been able to develop a steadfast position on whether the building should be renovated, or demolished and replaced.  A comparison of the estimated costs of each possibility would have to be completed to determine the best course of action.  The intended use and the character and architecture of the surrounding community would also be key factors.  Certainly, whether a new building or a renovation of the existing building, we have always believed that the structure must provide recreational opportunities for young people and our older citizens alike.

Current proposals to relocate the YMCA at the site have led to greater uncertainty about its future.  Since there is a reverter clause in the documents conveying the property to the Town of Smithtown stating that the site must be developed for town use or ownership by the town is terminated, the New York State Legislature would have to pass legislation permitting the YMCA project to be developed at the site.  This could be a lengthy process and the outcome is uncertain.  If the state does pass legislation allowing the YMCA project to be developed at the site, local issues must then be addressed.

The reason this plan to relocate the YMCA at the Nesconset Armory site is now emerging is that the town council turned a blind eye to the obstacles of the YMCA expansion project.  The public has become aware of the Smithtown YMCA’s plans to expand their facilities on Edgewood Avenue, a plan that the town board has been fully aware of and has supported in the past. The board has reversed itself and is backing away from supporting the plan.  In a last ditch effort to escape fallout from the public    opposition, the town board has proposed locating the expanded YMCA facility at the Nesconset Armory site. While the plan has its merits, the bottom line is that the residents of Nesconset will be faced with all the burdens of development of the site -- increased traffic congestion and the like – but will have none of the benefits.  The residents of Nesconset and of the town of Smithtown will not benefit from increased recreational facilities open to the community if the expanded YMCA is located at the site.

VIII.      Public Accessibility and Accountability

  Citizens must have accessibility to the business of government.  Smithtown Town Board meetings are not currently accessible to the public.  Meetings are scheduled at 2:00 in the afternoon every other Tuesday.  The Smithtown Democratic Committee supports and calls for the Town of Smithtown to re-schedule town board meetings, currently scheduled at 2:00 in the afternoon every other Tuesday.  The Smithtown Democratic Committee supports weekly town board meetings.  Two meetings per month must be held at 7:30 PM so that working citizens are able to attend and participate in the business of government.

The complete town code must be published on the town website.  Citizens are expected to comply with town ordinances that are difficult for most people to access.  Currently, residents may purchase the complete volume of town codes for $300.00.  The laws and regulations of every other level of government are currently available on the Internet.  This is a critical service that Smithtown town government must provide its citizens on the already existing website.

Minutes of town board work sessions and meetings must be available on the Town of Smithtown website.  Publishing the minutes on the town website will provide greater public awareness of the actions of the town board and its members.  Greater visibility leads to greater accountability from government officials.  It is the responsibility of government to provide the greatest possible public access to the business and workings of government.  The Internet now makes it easy and inexpensive for government officials to meet this challenge.

IX.   Councilmatic Districts

Currently the residents are represented by four council members elected by the residents town-wide (at large).  Local communities do not have representation.  Councilmatic districts would bring representation closer to the residents giving them an advocate for their community.

The current town board’s proposal to site the expanded YMCA at the Nesconset Armory site is a prime example of the need for councilmatic districts.  This proposal was made without input from the Nesconset community.  None of the current town board members who were elected at large represents Nesconset.  Councilmatic districts would give voice to local communities.

Town wide campaigns are costly.  These campaigns are often funded with contributions from special interests.  Councilmatic districts would be much less costly.  Influence of special interests would be reduced dramatically.

Councilmatic districts are simply Good Government!

In summation: