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greenfreak
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Member since 9/06 11483 total posts
Name:
greenfreak
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Living in the Town of Smithtown - gimme the scoop!
We should be going to contract this week for a house in the Town of Smithtown. I'm not ready to put the full details out there yet or pics, but I will when (if) we close. 
But in the meantime, I wanted to know anything you can to tell me about this area. Restaurants & shops to go to, restaurants & shops to avoid, tips, fun things to do, rules of living there...
Also, anyone live in the TOS and have a corner lot? Do you know how far from the end of the property a fence has to be? I read this on the Building Dept webpage:
Q: Where may I put a fence on my property?
A: A fence not exceeding four feet in height above existing natural or approved grade may be erected on any portion of a lot except on a corner lot, which shall observe corner clearance. Fences from 4 - 6 feet in height shall not be located within the required front yard. Corner lots shall not have fences encroaching into minimum required front yards on either street.
Ok, so no fence in the front yard, and I have to observe some space for the corner. But how much space?
Thanks in advance!
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Posted 8/24/07 6:15 PM  |
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MrsPowers
So blessed!
Member since 11/06 10348 total posts
Name:
Ivelysse
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Re: Living in the Town of Smithtown - gimme the scoop!
We moved to the Town of SMithtown in April.
I can't speak for the fence part but I can give you some other scoop.
1. The garbage and recycling are excellent. They pick up everything. If they don't then they will arrange for a special pickup. It's great.
2. The town of Smithtown also has free parking in the town lots, beaches, and etc..with a permit. You just need your registration. They also have things like free mulch too which is great.
3. There are a ton of stores and restaurants on 25 (Main St area). Uncle Giuseppe's is great by 111 and 25. There is a Stop and Shop down 25 also. Lots of car dealerships (ha ha)!
4. Also you are close to 347 and the Smithaven Mall. There are a lot of things around there like Staples, Bed Bath & Beyond, Toys R Us, Borders, Dicks Sporting Goods, etc.. The recently put a Cheesecake Factory by the mall and they are putting a California Pizza Kitchen.
We really enjoy how close we are to lots of shopping and restaurants. Everything we need is right there.
HTH. Feel free to ask me any other specifics. Good luck!
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| Posted 8/25/07 9:07 AM |
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LisaW
Time for me to FLY!
Member since 5/05 13199 total posts
Name:
Did I ever tell you that I hate people?
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Re: Living in the Town of Smithtown - gimme the scoop!
Posted by MrsPowers
1. The garbage and recycling are excellent. They pick up everything. If they don't then they will arrange for a special pickup. It's great.
Good luck!
This is true!!! When we moved in teh old homeowners left a TON of junk in front of the house...plus the junk that we cleaned out...
They took it all, no problem!!!
Good luck!!!
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| Posted 8/25/07 9:11 AM |
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Kelly9904
Mommy to 2 amazing little boys
Member since 5/05 9306 total posts
Name:
Kelly
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Re: Living in the Town of Smithtown - gimme the scoop!
Message edited 1/30/2009 10:26:17 PM.
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| Posted 8/25/07 9:13 AM |
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MrsFlatbread
Skinny jeans are in my future
Member since 6/06 10258 total posts
Name:
Baby Momma
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Re: Living in the Town of Smithtown - gimme the scoop!
We just bought a house in Smithtown and it is great! I have to agree with the above posters regarding garbage pick-up. I told my husband that we can put anything out to the curb and they will take it!! The recycling program is one of the best on Long Island! Great proximity to anything and everything!!
Just a little side note, Smithtown has some significant flooding issues, especially areas close to Village of the Branch. It is something that the town has been fighting for years. In my area, near Yellow top farms, its either hit or miss, luckily we are fine, but some houses a few blocks away have had to fill in their basements due to the contant flooding. Just something to be aware of that I was not aware of prior! Good Luck!!!!
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| Posted 8/25/07 9:33 AM |
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greenfreak
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Member since 9/06 11483 total posts
Name:
greenfreak
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Re: Living in the Town of Smithtown - gimme the scoop!
Wow thanks!! We went back to the house with my parents today and did some shopping for the first time in the mall. What a difference between Smithaven and what I'm used to (Roosevelt Field)!
Long Beach also has really good garbage pickup, it's so nice to hear they're good also!
There was an Uncle Guiseppes in East Meadow I think, that we used to shop at when I lived there. I wonder if they're a chain?
Posted by MrsFlatbread
Just a little side note, Smithtown has some significant flooding issues, especially areas close to Village of the Branch.
Funny you should mention that. We were very close to an accepted offer on the block of Maureen's Kitchen. It never panned out, but there were big water issues in the basement. That's why I was asking about french drains a few weeks ago. 
I never considered that there could be such a flood problem so far from the shore. I'm sorry you have to deal with that so much. 
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| Posted 8/25/07 5:40 PM |
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Goobster
:)
Member since 5/07 27557 total posts
Name:
:)
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Re: Living in the Town of Smithtown - gimme the scoop!
Posted by greenfreak
What a difference between Smithaven and what I'm used to (Roosevelt Field)!
I never considered that there could be such a flood problem so far from the shore. I'm sorry you have to deal with that so much.
We just drove to Smithtown last weekend. We were looking to learn more about it.
Can you tell me more about the different areas? Any specifics to each Smithtown area?
And can I ask, what is the difference b/w Smithtown mall and Roos Field? Size or people or what?
I agree, I always find it odd that areas not near water flood. Esp Suffolk. So that is good to know that it might have flooding issues.
Also, it is cesspool or sewer? Sorry to barge on your thread, but it was a question I wanted to ask too! Hope your house pans out!!!
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| Posted 8/25/07 5:44 PM |
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greenfreak
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Member since 9/06 11483 total posts
Name:
greenfreak
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Re: Living in the Town of Smithtown - gimme the scoop!
Nooooo problem whatsoever! I love sharing information, I hope I can help!
Really, I only know what I know from posts here and because we have been up in the Smithtown area just about every weekend for a few months now. Whether it be for open houses, showings, or just to look around and do "research". I think it's great to drive around, go down roads you haven't travelled before, just get a feel for it.
As far as I can see, there are no bad parts of Smithtown. I'm getting the feeling that north of 25 is a higher priced area because not a lot of houses came up in our price range there. 
Village of the Branch looks like the area formed by 25 on the north side, 347 on the south side, 111 on the west and Terry Road on the east. (I could be wrong about how far it goes, but the Welcome to the Village of the Branch sign is on 111). There can also be a Village Tax in addition to your regular taxes, depending on how close the house is to the center of town.
The Smithaven Mall is one story and although it's spread out, it's nowhere near as imposing or confusing as Roosevelt Field can be. We were there this afternoon, which would probably be the busiest time, and we didn't get that claustrophobic feeling I usually get in a crowded mall. The major stores are there, it's clean, and although there were a lot of cars going in or out, the parking lot congestion wasn't bad at all.
I don't think there are sewers in Smithtown at all. Actually, I think you would be hard-pressed to find sewers in Suffolk County. I could be wrong about this, but so far we've seen no houses with a sewer hookup. It's all cesspool, and some houses (like the one we're hoping to close on soon) have more than one.
Please consider this thread a free for all on information and questions about the Town of Smithtown. We can all benefit!
Message edited 8/25/2007 8:17:59 PM.
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| Posted 8/25/07 8:16 PM |
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2girlsforme
LIF Adult
Member since 8/06 3071 total posts
Name:
XXXXXXXXX
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Re: Living in the Town of Smithtown - gimme the scoop!
Posted by Goobster
Posted by greenfreak
What a difference between Smithaven and what I'm used to (Roosevelt Field)!
I never considered that there could be such a flood problem so far from the shore. I'm sorry you have to deal with that so much.
We just drove to Smithtown last weekend. We were looking to learn more about it.
Can you tell me more about the different areas? Any specifics to each Smithtown area?
And can I ask, what is the difference b/w Smithtown mall and Roos Field? Size or people or what?
I agree, I always find it odd that areas not near water flood. Esp Suffolk. So that is good to know that it might have flooding issues.
Also, it is cesspool or sewer? Sorry to barge on your thread, but it was a question I wanted to ask too! Hope your house pans out!!!
It's a big town with a lot of area. As stated although there ar no "bad" areas per se, north of 25A is generally more expensive as the lots are bigger. My area is cesspools and we don't have gas, though many parts of the town do.
I have been here for ten years and have had a child in the district for five years and may be able to answer questions about the schools. It is a large district, larger than I originally realized. Honestly, there are good and bad points with a large district. Additionally, I have come to learn , through friends whose children have required special Ed services, that it can be a fight in Smithtown. Maybe beacause of the size.
Feel free to ask any questions you may have and I'm happy to help if I can.
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| Posted 8/25/07 8:46 PM |
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SweetTooth
I'm a tired mommy!
Member since 12/05 20105 total posts
Name:
Lauren
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Re: Living in the Town of Smithtown - gimme the scoop!
The town of Smithtown is very big - so as for things in the area - if you're talking about your immediate area, I would need to know where exactly the house is - it goes as far West as Commack - Townline Rd and all the way east towards 347 by the mall like was mentioned.
Anyhow - good luck with getting your contracts signed!! And I've lived in the area all my life, so if you have any questions, just ask!
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| Posted 8/25/07 9:46 PM |
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TheLorax
LOVE
Member since 2/06 5581 total posts
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Suzanne / SuzBride
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Re: Living in the Town of Smithtown - gimme the scoop!
Posted by greenfreak
Funny you should mention that. We were very close to an accepted offer on the block of Maureen's Kitchen. It never panned out, but there were big water issues in the basement. That's why I was asking about french drains a few weeks ago.
Oh it is good it didn't pan out. There are high water levels in that area (you would need a sump pump in your basement) and people would always be parking in front of your house and walking to Maureens. My Great Aunt lived on that street (and my grandpa lived one street over) and it pizzed her off!
I am totally in love with Smithtown (grew up there) and DH grew up in St James. So feel free to FM me with any questions on restaurants/stores - I have pretty much been to them all A LOT. My grandparents, parents, me and DH (well St James) all grew up in Smithtown (sadly I don't live there) Some favs in and near Smithtown:
Sun Dried Tomato Cafe - Nesconset - great Italian and cute.
Red Dish - Commack - owned by the same people as SDTC - really unique NY style food and martini bar
Garden Grille - Smithtown. Really cute restaurant, great for lunch, right near the center of town
Ralph's Ices - on Maple in Smithtown
Maureen's Kitchen - Terry Rd. Very good for brunch/breakfast, but always super crowded
The bagel place in town next to Starbucks is really good for bagels and sandwiches - not sure of the name???
Blackbeards in St James on Jericho has good seafood. Doesn't look so hot from outside, but is cute inside
Uncle Giuseppes in town is a great, unique grocery store, and actually alot of the prices are really good!
There is a farm stand on Edgewood where you can get fresh fruit and veggies and plants that I really love.
Pretty much everything you could ever want is nearby - stores, restaurants (a whole mess near the mall, in center of town and then fast foods in Hauppauge), banks
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| Posted 8/25/07 10:00 PM |
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Alli06
Baby #3 coming this June
Member since 8/05 6721 total posts
Name:
A
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Re: Living in the Town of Smithtown - gimme the scoop!
I have lived in Smithtown all my life, and my DH grew up in St. James. We live in Nesconset now. My parents house is right by the Village of the branch, near Friendlys and Bolder Creek. There is a huge flooding problem with houses down the road from them. We never really had a problem though. Another bad area for flooding is near Maureens kitchen. I just advise any one who is buying a house in these areas to really inspect the basements for water damage. I was always told to go see a house after it has rained. I went to one open house by Maureens kitchen, that had rubber boots at the top of the basement stairs. Not a good sign!!!
I love Smithtown!!! When we where house hunting, we couldn't find an area that compared to Smithtown. There is really no bad areas, but of course some are nicer then others. The beaches are great, and there is a ton of great restaurants and shopping in the area. I grew up in a very family oriented neighborhood, and it is still that way. It is a wonderful place to raise children. The one bad thing is that is very expensive, and has high taxes. That is why we have yet to buy a house. If you want to know about a specific area, let me know.
Message edited 8/25/2007 11:27:12 PM.
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| Posted 8/25/07 11:23 PM |
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Shorty
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Member since 5/05 30390 total posts
Name:
really
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Re: Living in the Town of Smithtown - gimme the scoop!
Howdy neighbor
You're going to LOVE the snow removal - best on LI !
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| Posted 8/26/07 8:02 AM |
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MrsFlatbread
Skinny jeans are in my future
Member since 6/06 10258 total posts
Name:
Baby Momma
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Re: Living in the Town of Smithtown - gimme the scoop!
one other thing that I noticed in my particular area of Smithtown, is that many of the homes are not "starter" homes. This means that due to the cost of houses in the area, our neighbors are not young. They are middle aged with older teenage children. Many of them have lived there for 25 years. We are by far the youngest in our neighborhood. There are some homes for sale and we are hoping younger people will buy them as the neighbors sell their houses. Just my observation.
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| Posted 8/26/07 8:53 AM |
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MrsPowers
So blessed!
Member since 11/06 10348 total posts
Name:
Ivelysse
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Re: Living in the Town of Smithtown - gimme the scoop!
Posted by MrsFlatbread
one other thing that I noticed in my particular area of Smithtown, is that many of the homes are not "starter" homes. This means that due to the cost of houses in the area, our neighbors are not young. They are middle aged with older teenage children. Many of them have lived there for 25 years. We are by far the youngest in our neighborhood. There are some homes for sale and we are hoping younger people will buy them as the neighbors sell their houses. Just my observation.
I totally agree with this post. The house we bought the people had lived in for 25 years and their kids were grown hence they were selling.
I definitely agree with many different aspects of the town that people have mentioned. I really think it is a great area.
The area around Smithaven mall is really being built up and made into a courtyard/open area. It is very nice. They have been sprucing up the mall a lot lately.
The school district is great. Being a teacher, I did a ton of research on the school district. The comment about the difficulty of a child getting special education services has to do with many factors, it's not just cut and dry so every district handles it differently. I have heard of many successful students going through the district.
We love the area! Good luck!
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| Posted 8/26/07 9:19 AM |
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greenfreak
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Member since 9/06 11483 total posts
Name:
greenfreak
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Re: Living in the Town of Smithtown - gimme the scoop!
You ladies are really super, you know that?
Posted by SweetTooth
I would need to know where exactly the house is
Let's say by 25 near 111 and Terry Road. I'm being deliberately vague because you never know who's reading. 
Suz, wow, that's a great list! Thank you! The house we looked at is gorgeous, but it's only two plots from Maureen's. And although they did put up signs all along the street with restricted parking, there were cars parked there.
You hit all of the things we were wondering about - even the farm stand! We have dreams of picking up locally grown produce for dinner.
Allison, was that open house for a 4 bedroom colonial on Larsen Ave? That house has been on the market for a year, they are divorcing, and know that it needs the drain & sump pump. Even though we still were willing to put in the work, they stopped responding to the realtor. I suppose it's a blessing in disguise now.
This is making us even more excited, I really hope this goes well. The more we learn about the area, the more we know it's where we want to be. 
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| Posted 8/26/07 4:48 PM |
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PRETTYPINK
LIF Toddler
Member since 7/06 393 total posts
Name:
A
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Re: Living in the Town of Smithtown - gimme the scoop!
I am in Commack but Town of Smithtown. The garbarge removal is great, they take anything. I feel more of an outkast compared to most of these posts because I am so much more closer to Town of Huntington, Commack that I often feel forgotten by the town. Plus, it annoys me that I have to drive to Smithtown to vote, which is 20 minutes from I live and can't go to the Commack, Town of Huntington library which is two seconds from my house.
Uncle Guiseppes is a chain, the one is Smithtown is a million times nicer then the one in East Meadow, it is also much newer and bigger. I tend to go the the Walt Whitman mall, it is closer for me.
Not sure if you are in Smithtown or jus the Town of smithtown. But if you fall in Commack, then let me know and I can try to be of more help.
Good luck with the house!
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| Posted 8/26/07 8:34 PM |
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chikita315
Love
Member since 8/06 7945 total posts
Name:
M-lo
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Re: Living in the Town of Smithtown - gimme the scoop!
As you know, I'm in KP, but it's town of Smithtown.
ITA w/ the other posters in terms of garbage, recycling and snow removal. They are top notch. You definitely see your tax dollars at work.
Our roads were just repaved as well as new driveway aprons.
There is always some sort of beautification or upkeep of the town.
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| Posted 8/27/07 10:31 AM |
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Re: Living in the Town of Smithtown - gimme the scoop!
I'm living very happily in the Town of Smithtown. However, I keep reading about how great the gargage collection is and I wanted to comment. I have not had a problem, per se, but I grew up in Town of Huntington and garbage collection and service were slightly better there. I've noticed some small differences. Still, as I said, it's pretty good here, too!
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| Posted 8/27/07 11:56 AM |
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kerrycec03
Mom of 2 beautiful boys!!
Member since 6/06 13519 total posts
Name:
Kerry
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Re: Living in the Town of Smithtown - gimme the scoop!
I was born and raised in Nesconset. Smithtown is a wonderful town and if we could afford it, we would have moved there.
Facts:
-is an older town. Def. not a starter town, therefore not too many little kids around
-higher taxes
-slow moving township (ie it takes like 5 years to get stuff to clear in Smithtown)
-Amazing schools
-parklike settings
-great Italian Food (I recommend Sun Dried Tomato)
-So/So snow removal (now that I'm in town of Islip, its so much better than smithtown's snow removal)
-So/So garbage removal (very strict with removing large items). Sometimes take a long time!!
-can't do anything to the first 10 ft. of your property (the town owns it) so no front fences for that reason
-horrible public library system & public pool
-so close to Smithhaven Mall, which sadly put a lot of stores on Main Street out of business
-Car Dealers, Car Dealers, Car Dealers
-Overal Upper to Upper Middle Class community
-no slums, no bad areas, very safe, but at times very snotty (trust me, I even sometimes got a case of "Smithtownitis")
Different Sections of Smithtown:
-Commack (sep. school)
-Kings Park (sep. school)
-Parts of Hauppauge (sep schools)
-Smithtown Pines (horse rights and Hauppauge Schools)
All within Smithtown Schools:
-St. James (very quaint, but also conjested) nicknamed the Irish Section of Smithtown
-Head of the Harbor & Nissiquoge (millions to live there, private police, so expensive, bet very secluded)
-Nesconset (my family loves it, but its not in the heart of Smithtown)
-Village of the Branch (very old, very conjested along Jericho, and considered the heart of Smithtown)
-North Smithtown (pretty much everything north of Village of the Branch), very desierable and very tree like
Message edited 8/27/2007 12:37:54 PM.
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| Posted 8/27/07 12:25 PM |
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TheLorax
LOVE
Member since 2/06 5581 total posts
Name:
Suzanne / SuzBride
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Re: Living in the Town of Smithtown - gimme the scoop!
oh - How could I forget!?! Salsa Salsa on Maple (conveniently next to Ralph's Ices) is DELICIOUS for Mexican. Mmmm I wish I had some now.
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| Posted 8/27/07 1:01 PM |
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cjik
Welcome 2010!
Member since 2/06 8879 total posts
Name:
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Re: Living in the Town of Smithtown - gimme the scoop!
I don't know much about Smithtown, but I did read in Newsday last week that there is a groundwater problem in some areas, and many homeowners have problems with constant flooding in their basements.
I can't remember exactly what day it appeared, but I would guess last Wednesday or Thursday. I don't know if this is just in one part of Smithtown though.
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| Posted 8/27/07 1:12 PM |
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Kelly9904
Mommy to 2 amazing little boys
Member since 5/05 9306 total posts
Name:
Kelly
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Re: Living in the Town of Smithtown - gimme the scoop!
Message edited 1/30/2009 10:25:21 PM.
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| Posted 8/27/07 1:21 PM |
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Goobster
:)
Member since 5/07 27557 total posts
Name:
:)
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Re: Living in the Town of Smithtown - gimme the scoop!
Posted by cjik
I don't know much about Smithtown, but I did read in Newsday last week that there is a groundwater problem in some areas, and many homeowners have problems with constant flooding in their basements.
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Anyone know where this is?
I also would like to know more about the different areas. I find Smithtown very confusing.
Message edited 8/27/2007 1:47:14 PM.
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| Posted 8/27/07 1:41 PM |
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kerrycec03
Mom of 2 beautiful boys!!
Member since 6/06 13519 total posts
Name:
Kerry
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Re: Living in the Town of Smithtown - gimme the scoop!
Posted by Goobster
Posted by cjik
I don't know much about Smithtown, but I did read in Newsday last week that there is a groundwater problem in some areas, and many homeowners have problems with constant flooding in their basements.
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Anyone know where this is?
I also would like to know more about the different areas. I find Smithtown very confusing.
what confusion do you have about Smithtown? I can help if you need it.
Now, keep in mind, this is a bad map, but it gives you a general idea as to what are the major sections of Smithtown
Image Attachment(s):
Message edited 8/27/2007 2:02:59 PM.
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| Posted 8/27/07 1:58 PM |
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