Smithtown tree-removal policy reviewed

Smithtown officials want to tweak the town’s tree-removal policy.

Currently, healthy trees on town property can’t be cut down — despite complaints from residents that some of the trees are breaking up sidewalks, driveways and cesspools, Supervisor Patrick Vecchio told reporters after a town board meeting Tuesday.

Under a change suggested by Vecchio, trees on town land — regardless of how healthy they are — would be chopped down if they are causing problems, he said.

“If it is sound and doing damage, it has to come down,” Vecchio said.

The new policy would authorize a town Highway Department supervisor, such as a foreman, to decide whether to remove a tree, Vecchio said.

He said town attorney Yvonne Lieffrig has been asked to draft the new ordinance and submit it for approval at a future town board meeting.