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.
'His sacrifice made a difference': Gold Star mother honors son's memory Army Pfc. Raheen Tyson Heighter, 22, of Bay Shore, was the first serviceman from Long Island killed in the Iraq War.
'His sacrifice made a difference': Gold Star mother honors son's memory Army Pfc. Raheen Tyson Heighter, 22, of Bay Shore, was the first serviceman from Long Island killed in the Iraq War.
