Town of Smithtown Supervisor Releases 1st Annual Report

Town of Smithtown Supervisor Patrick Vecchio recently released his "First Annual Report" for town residents.

"I can report to you that the Town has never been stronger," Vecchio, who has served as supervisor since 1978, writes in the report. "With an improving economy, stable tax base and low debt, the Town’s outlook is positive, strong and encouraging."

According to the report, in 2016, the Town of Smithtown received a credit rating of Aaa from Moody Investor Services and has the lowest amount of debt per capita than any town of Long Island.

The town currently has a debt of $17 million which is the lowest amount of total debt outstanding as compared with all the other towns on Long Island except for the Town of Shelter Island, according to the report.

"We are committed to carrying low levels of debt," Vecchio writes in the report. "Despite our low debt, we have continued to make needed investments in infrastructure and equipment."

Last year, the town purchased a total of 25 new heavy duty and lightweight duty highway trucks as well as upgraded the other departmental light vehicle fleet through leasing and paid for road paving without having to borrow.

Due to the low level of debt, Vecchio says he can predict that the 2018 Town budget will include no tax increase.

In addition, as a result of the debt levels, for the 2017 budget the Town is able to fund two new projects: $2 million for sewer installation and $2 million for land acquisition.

In terms of snow removal, for the winter of 2016/2017 despite several major snowfalls, the Town did not use up the full amount of the $2 million allocated for snow removal.

The Town also invested in senior services, spending $15,000 to buy two new senior buses from a non-profit organization.

According to the report, the purchase saved the town $100,000 in acquisition costs. The Town used the savings to pay for part of the $200,000 renovations made to the local Senior Center

Town officials were also able to save money through several grants that were awarded this year. The Town of Smithtown was one of two Long Island towns to receive a $250,000 challenge grant for energy conservation awarded by the state.

A $1.6 million grant was also awards to establish a Regional Fueling Facility which will allow various units of governments and districts to fuel their vehicles at two central locations in the Town.

This year the town also expanded its cooperation with fire districts and now handles fire dispatch for 3 fire districts.