Forum for Smithtown library trustee candidates

Candidates for the Smithtown public library’s board of trustees will appear at a forum Wednesday at 7 p.m. at the library’s main branch at 1 North Country Rd.

Smithtown Special Library District residents will go to the polls Oct. 9 to select two trustees and vote on a proposed $13.3 million budget. If passed, the budget would raise taxes 2.86 percent on the average home.

Incumbent trustee John C. Martins, a project manager at a software company, is one of four people running for board seats. Also running are Suzanne Mohr, owner of a company that sells computer networking products; Rosalind F. Palazzolo, a retired accountant; and Wayne J. Schaefer, a lawyer. Trustee Charles A. Sauer is not seeking re-election.

The top two vote-getters will win seats on the board. Terms are three years.

The library is nearing completion of a $21 million project to replace or renovate its four branches. Three — Smithtown, Nesconset and Commack — have reopened, and officials are awaiting permits to reopen the Kings Park branch.

Above: Patrons take advantage of the newly renovated Smithtown Public Library's Nesconset Branch in Nesconset. (Sept. 27, 2012)