Residents oppose proposed Hess in Commack

Opponents of a proposed gas station and convenience store in Commack -- including neighbors, firefighters and former Mets shortstop Bud Harrelson -- warned Smithtown officials last week that the filling station would be a safety hazard.

More than 100 people packed a meeting room Thursday at the town senior citizens center for a two-hour hearing on the proposed Hess Express at Jericho Turnpike and Harned Road. Hess seeks a zoning change to allow the store and 12 gas pumps.

The town board rejected a similar proposal by Hess in 2008, by a 3-2 vote.

Hess supporters say it would spruce up a parcel that has become an eyesore since a Shell station closed there in 2007.

But many speakers, such as Rochelle Pachman of Commack, said they were involved in harrowing accidents at the intersection, just east of Sunken Meadow Parkway. Pachman said her car was struck there two weeks ago.

"You know what's an eyesore?" she said. "The sight of lights and sirens at another accident at that intersection."

Harrelson, a Hauppauge resident who starred for the World Series champion Mets in 1969, said the intersection is "a dangerous, confusing cluster" of roads, adding, "I really don't think a gas station is preferable for this property."

An attorney representing Hess, Eugene DeNicola of Sayville, said the business would not cause more accidents. He accused opponents of reading scripts drafted by Rudy Massa, owner of Gasoline Heaven, a gas station and convenience store nearby on Jericho Turnpike.

"This whole hearing is not about safety. It's about competition," DeNicola said. "I hope this town board has more intelligence and can see through this."

Massa, in an interview Friday, denied writing the statements. "I'm not that good a speechwriter," he said.

Jacob Fayenson, of Fort Salonga, who owns the former Shell property, said town officials told him when he purchased the site in 2004 that a gas station would be allowed there.

"It's seven years and three months later, and nothing's moving," he said.

Mitchell Migdol, of Smithtown, said Hess would bring lower gas prices to the area.

"I welcome Hess and their investment," he said. "We need jobs, we need tax revenue."

Supervisor Patrick Vecchio, who opposed the earlier Hess proposal, said an environmental review must be conducted before the town board can vote on the new plan. It's not clear when that will occur.