Smithtown weighs app to replace beach, park stickers

Smithtown is shifting to a digital system for access to its parks and beaches — and away from the decades-old tradition of stickers on car windows. 

The change is expected to save the town the annual expense of printing thousands of stickers. Residents would be required to pay a $5-per-vehicle processing fee yearly as part of the new Smart Pass system.

The shift will allow town residents to register their cars online. Residents will no longer be required to display an official resident parking permit on their cars, according to a proposal the town board is set to approve on Tuesday. Smithtown residents must still have a valid parking permit registration on file at the town clerk's office.

Supervisor Ed Wehrheim said the town has spent tens of thousands of dollars annually to purchase up to 30,000 parking stickers. The town found that stickers were being shared frequently with non-residents, including those who live in Nassau County and New Jersey. Popular beaches, such as Short Beach Town Park in Nissequogue, have been forced to close some days due to a lack of parking, officials have said.

Under the new system, the town would save more than $200,000 per year by cutting down on sticker costs and eliminating some seasonal park jobs. Residents can register their license plates via Smart Pass, or visit the town clerk's office.

"This is a better way to preserve these facilities," Wehrheim said. As for nonresidents using the facilities without paying for permits, he said, "this way is going to prevent that from happening."

If approved, Smart Pass is likely to be rolled out by the end of April, he added.

The fee is waived for veterans and seniors 65 and older. Caregivers and home nurses are also eligible for parking placards.

Some who spoke at a recent hearing balked at having to pay the $5 fee.

Parking at town beaches and parks has traditionally been free for Smithtown residents. The town looked to impose a $30 sticker fee for residents in early 2024, but officials dropped the proposal amid backlash.

Susan Daly, of Commack, said she felt there were "a lot of holes in this policy." She said she had questions about how it would affect people who wanted to visit Hoyt Farm, a popular destination.

Helen Mustapich, of St. James, said the $5 fee was "ridiculous.”

“There are families that can't afford to go [on vacation] to other places, so they go to the beach with their children,” Mustapich said.

McCarthy said his office has not received many complaints about the charge.

"Most people are anxious to get it. It's easier now. You get to do it from your couch at home," he said. "You don't have to come in, you don't have to put a sticker on, there's no mailing ... your license plate is your pass now."

The first offense will generate a warning to register, but a second and any future ones will warrant a $150 parking summons.

The Town of Huntington did away with its sticker system in 2024, Newsday has reported. Residents are required to pay a $70 permit fee.  The town also uses Smart Pass but does not charge any administrative fee, town spokeswoman Christine Geed said.

Residents are required to register their license plate through an online portal, and town staff scans license plates to verify residency. 

Newsday's Deborah S. Morris contributed to this story.