No More Sweetheart Deals—
Let Residents Shape Smithtown’s Future
Reckless DEVELOPMENT is costing Smithtown Homeowners Millions
1. Re-Zoning for High-Density Rentals: They change our zoning laws to allow massive rental apartment complexes both on the outskirts and in the heart of our suburban community, setting precedent for all future developments.
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2. Tax Abatements for Developers: The town board rewrites the rules for developers and grants non-contested approvals through out the entire building process. These actions pave the way for developers to claim huge tax breaks, known as Payment-in-Lieu-of-Taxes (PILOT) agreements or "abatements."
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Here’s what they aren’t telling you:
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Renters do not pay property taxes. The legal responsibility for paying the property tax bill—which funds our schools, police, libraries, and roads—falls solely on the property owner, in this case, the developer.
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A tax abatement is a sweetheart deal that allows developers to pay only a fraction of the full tax bill their massive building should generate for years.
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This isn't just bad policy; it's a deliberate transfer of wealth from our community to outside developers.
The Impact on You: Your Taxes Are Paying for Their Profit
This reckless development has a direct and painful cost for every family that owns a home in Smithtown.
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When multi-million dollar rental complexes don't pay their fair share, the financial burden doesn't disappear—it shifts directly onto you.
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​These developments also bring increased traffic, strain on parking, and overcrowding—all without providing the tax revenue needed to address these new problems. WE ARE PAYING MORE, AND GETTING LESS.
Your property taxes are forced to cover the shortfall for:
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Our Schools: Teacher salaries, class supplies, sports, and the arts​
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Public Safety: Police, fire, and EMT services for a growing population
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Infrastructure: Repairing roads, maintaining sewers, traffic control
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Community Resources: Our parks, libraries, and senior centers
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The Wrong Priority: high-density housing Over Revitalization
While our unique downtowns need smart investment, the current administration has prioritized high-density housing that doesn't fit the suburban character of the town.
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Plan for revitalization have also been subject to scrutiny, as many communities are concerned about infrastructure.
They are awarding bids to developers whose expensive, high-density proposals:
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Negate the capacity and character of our historic hamlets.
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Prioritize longterm rental income for corporations over ownership opportunities for residents.
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Ignore what the community actually wants—balanced, beautiful revitalization that preserves the small-town feel we love
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This isn't progress; it's a fundamental change to the very identity of Smithtown, and it's being done without regard for the people who call it home.
Wehrheim’s team takes donations from developers, then approves their projects.
That ends with us.
- Michael Catalanotto
our solution
Build a Smithtown for Residents, Not Developers
We believe development should empower our community, not exploit it
OUR PLAN IS SIMPLE
champion
homeownership
Advocate for housing plans that provide equity-building opportunities for residents, our children, and new families—not perpetual rental income for outside corporations.
ensure everyone pays
their fair share
Stop the giveaways. New developments must pay their full tax burden to support the community services they use. Limit tax abatements.
demand smart
suburban revitalization
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Focus on revitalizing our downtowns in a way that complements our hamlets' charm, with input from residents and plans that respect our suburban capacity and character.
