The first day of School is swiftly approaching. While parents are busy shopping for school supplies and new clothes, our Highway & Traffic Safety departments are busy improving roads and crosswalks for the new school year. For those looking to do some house cleaning; save the date and take advantage of the bi-annual Free Paper Shredding event, coming up on September 21st from 9am-3pm at Town Hall. This service to safely and securely dispose of unwanted documents while helping the environment is seamlessly orchestrated by DEW, MSF and Public Safety. Also, for anyone planning to do some fall landscape work, our Municipal Services Facility has a fresh batch of beautiful new mulch, courtesy of the big June 30th storm. This is a great free service to our residents to help save money on your yard cleanup.
KINGS PARK:
School Crossing: In preparations for the new school year, our Traffic Safety Department has begun a number of crosswalk restoration projects in known hot spots, where the student foot traffic is heavy. The intersection of Haig Place & Ashland Drive, next to Park View Elementary School is scheduled for “hot tape application” this week. This method of traffic marking lasts longer, is more durable and much safer for the environment than paint.
New Playground: An interactive state-of-the-art playground is being installed at Memorial Park in Kings Park. The playground is a jungle-gym with multiple levels, climbing stations and two slides. Installation is expected to be complete in time for kids to enjoy after school or on the weekend.
FORT SALONGA:
Coming Soon: I’m pleased to announce that plans to build a new playground, picnic area shelter and spray park at Callahans Beach are underway. The design includes a new picnic area with shelter, expanded lawn area for events, benches along the cliff line, spray park and playground. The project is expected to be completed in time to enjoy next year’s beach season.
COMMACK:
Spray Park Resurfacing: The surface at the Hoyt Farm spray park is scheduled to be replaced at the close of the Summer Season.
Sidewalk Repairs: The highway department will be doing concrete work and repairs along Marie Crescent for the next week or two. Repairs include curbs and sidewalks where large trees were uprooted during the June 30th Straight Line Wind Storm.
Storm Repairs: Tree and Stump Removal from the June 30th Storm in the Commack area is ongoing as this was one of the hardest hit of the hamlets.
HAUPPAUGE:
Improving Traffic Conditions: Traffic Safety has begun to install video detection cameras at heavily travelled intersections in the LI Innovation Park at Hauppauge. This modern technology uses motion detection instead of a fixed timer to detect traffic and improve road conditions during heavy commuter hours.
Widening Intersections: Preparations for the widening of Adams Avenue/New Highway have begun. A Tree & Brush service will begin clearing and grubbing along the intersection this week, while the highway dept. will handle stump removal and preparation work to widen the intersection.
Sidewalk defects will be grinded, repaired or replaced to ensure safety throughout the project.
Traffic Signals: Foundation for an auxiliary pole and new signals have been poured at Marcus & New Highway. The installation of the signals will begin after the foundation has been fully cured.
For those who missed last week’s update, this project will offer safer roads for bicyclists, runners and pedestrians in addition to improved motor vehicle traffic.
SMITHTOWN:
Morewood Park Makeover: Concrete & Asphalt work is set to be scheduled at Morewood Park to complete the park renovation process. Residents had asked for a small parking area as part of the makeover, to avoid street parking and to create a safer environment for walkers or parents with strollers.
Main Street Beautification: Municipal Services and Highway seasonal teams will be doing some weeding, mulching, landscaping and general beautification cleanup along Main Street in Smithtown this week. Traffic safety has also begun to replace traffic signals throughout business and commuter areas. Foundation for new signals have been poured at Old Willets Path & Grandview Lane
School Safety: Traffic Safety is currently restoring crosswalks around Mount Pleasant Elementary School. Busy Intersections at Plaisted Avenue & Ray Lane are slated for hot tape application this week. Crosswalk restoration is also be done around Smithtown Elementary School via Lawrence Avenue this week.
NESCONSET
Pedestrian Safety: The Highway Department continues the reconstruction of concrete sidewalks, aprons and curbs at Browns Road in Nesconset.
Handicapped Accessibility: Six handicap ramps will be saw-cut and replaced throughout Gibbs Pond Road, between Nichols Road & Smithtown Blvd. This is being done in preparation of paving Gibbs Pond Road, which is scheduled for the second week in September.
Curb and sidewalk replacement along Terry Road is also set to begin this week
SAINT JAMES
Child’s Play: Our Parks Department is installing a new playhouse for our younger children at Moriches Park, also known as Veterans Memorial Park. The installation should be completed later this week.
Pedestrian Safety: On the opposite side of St James; Highway will begin the paving process at the General Store intersection of Moriches Road & Harbor Hill Road. This includes a mini concrete Island at Moriches & Harbor Hill which will provide a much safer waiting area for pedestrians who use the Deepwells park grounds for parking during the busy holiday season.
Revitalization: Drain replacement and repairs in addition to patching asphalt and landscape grading is nearing completion along Lake Avenue between Jericho Turnpike and Woodlawn Avenue.