Townline Association, Inc.

Very Important Update!

Dear Friends and Neighbors,

Townline Association is so pleased to be able to report the freight train plan has been dropped. It is worth mentioning that the owner did note that he may revisit the project sometime in the future.

The Townline Association Board would like to take this opportunity to thank each and every community member who wrote letters, attended meetings, spoke to our local representatives, volunteered, fundraised, and donated to “Fight the Freight Yard.”

We would also like to thank our community partners, the Fort Salonga Association, the Commack Community Association, Fairfield at St. James Community Association, and the Greater East Northport Civic Association, for their support.

Finally, we would like to acknowledge and thank the Smithtown News, whose incredible journalism sounded the alarm letting our community know what was happening and week after week covered this matter with truthfulness, diligence, and integrity.

Townline Association will continue to follow up with the Town of Smithtown regarding the pending code amendment creating a zone for rail freight terminals and rail transfer stations. We believe these proposed amendments should be withdrawn.

We will continue to remain diligent with respect to 140 Old Northport Road, and all of the properties located in the Old Northport Road corridor.

Again, thank you, and always remember: “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it's the only thing that ever has.” (Margaret Mead)

All the best,
Townline Association Board

Below please find The Smithtown News article regarding this matter. Click to enlarge.

Two years later scientists have tested the soil in East Palestine, Ohio and determined that it is full of cancer causing chemicals. A nasty derailment continues to have a dangerous effect on the surrounding town. ***Study in the comments section of this post.

Professor explains East Palestine soil sample findings When a train derailed in East Palestine over two years ago, the chemical spill led to concerns about health impacts underground and in the water and air. A group of professors have just released th…

In this week's editorial in The Smithtown News (2/20/2025), David Ambro, Editor, has suggested that the Town of Smithtown Board should pause its activities to change the town codes to allow freight yards, transloading stations and wood chipping/mulching facilities until a study which is underway by Stony Brook University's Waste Reduction and Management Institute has been completed. This study is being conducted to help formulate a comprehensive plan for waste management for Long Island.
Townline Association agrees that this sounds like a sensible approach to finding an appropriate comprehensive solution for waste disposal on Long Island once the Brookhaven Landfill is closed.

In a public meeting last week Toby Carlson verbally attacked David Ambro, the Editor of The Smithtown News, for his ongoing coverage of the regional freight yard that Carlson is proposing for Kings Park.

A beaver dam caused this derailment in Maine in 2023. It caused injuries, spills and a fire. While we can safely say it is unlikely that a beaver dam will ever cause a similar accident here it does go to show that there are so many unanticipated scenarios that can and do occur in the railroad industry. Sadly they can lead to huge consequences. Fortunately this derailment happened in a remote area. That would never be the case here where the Port Jeff line travels very close to homes, schools, parks, etc.

Maine train derailment that led to injuries and fire caused by beaver dam: Officials State officials say a train derailment in rural Maine that spilled hundreds of gallons of fuel and hospitalized three workers was attributable to a beaver dam