📅 UPCOMING: March 19, 2026 — Melville Crossing Public Hearing
Town of Huntington Town Hall · 100 Main Street, Huntington, NY 11743
Public hearing on the proposed 400-unit Melville Crossing development at 75 Maxess Road.
Confirm exact time with Town Clerk: 631-351-3206
Why Participation Matters
Local government decisions — about land use, infrastructure, water rates, and municipal debt — are made by elected officials at public meetings. Those meetings have public comment periods so that the people most affected have an opportunity to be heard.
The issues on this site are not abstract. They affect what ratepayers pay, what infrastructure gets built, and who pays for it. This page is a guide to the specific, practical ways any resident can engage. You do not need to be an activist. Showing up, asking factual questions on the record, and filing public records requests are all legitimate — and powerful — forms of civic participation.
March 19, 2026 — Melville Crossing Public Hearing
Details
| Date | March 19, 2026 |
| Location | Town of Huntington Town Hall, 100 Main Street, Huntington, NY 11743 |
| Time | Confirm with Town Clerk: 631-351-3206 |
| Application | Melville Crossing, 75 Maxess Road, Melville |
How to Speak at the Hearing
Before the hearing:
- Confirm the time and room with the Town Clerk (631-351-3206)
- Review the Melville Crossing project documents — Documents Library
- Prepare your comments in advance — write them down and stay within 3–5 minutes
- Bring written comments to submit for the record even if you don’t speak verbally
At the hearing:
- Arrive 15–20 minutes early
- Sign in to speak if a sign-up sheet is available
- When called, state your name and address clearly — required for the record
- Address comments to the board, not the developer
- Be specific and factual — reference documents, data, and questions
- Submit written comments to the clerk for inclusion in the record
Suggested Topics for Public Comment
On water demand and infrastructure:
- What is the developer’s documented commitment to contributing to SHWD infrastructure to serve the projected 116,000+ GPD peak demand?
- Has SHWD issued a formal written capacity assessment confirming it can serve this development without additional capital investment?
- If SHWD requires additional capital investment, what bonds will be required and who pays the debt service?
On environmental review:
- Does the SEQRA review address cumulative water demand from this project combined with other pending corridor developments?
- Has the aquifer impact of 116,000+ GPD of additional extraction been evaluated in the context of the district’s existing 1,4-dioxane susceptibility?
On fiscal impact:
- Has a formal fiscal impact analysis been conducted showing the effect on SHWD ratepayer bills and property taxes if infrastructure must be upgraded?
You do not need to be an expert to speak at a public hearing. Asking clear, factual questions on the record — and requesting that those questions be answered in writing — is a legitimate and effective form of civic participation.
Contact Town of Huntington Officials
| Name | Role | Phone | |
| Ed J. Smyth | Supervisor | (631) 351-3030 | esmyth@HuntingtonNY.gov |
| Dr. Dave Bennardo | Councilman | (631) 351-3172 | dbennardo@HuntingtonNY.gov |
| Brooke A. Lupinacci | Councilwoman | (631) 351-3174 | blupinacci@huntingtonny.gov |
| Theresa Mari | Councilwoman | (631) 351-3173 | tmari@huntingtonny.gov |
| Jennifer Hebert | Councilwoman | (631) 351-3175 | jhebert@huntingtonny.gov |
How to Contact Officials Effectively
- By email or letter: Written communication creates a record. State your name, address, and the specific matter. Ask a specific question. Keep it concise.
- By phone: Call the numbers in the table above to be connected to a board member’s office.
- At Town Board meetings: Agendas are posted at huntingtonny.gov. Public comment is typically held at each meeting.
Suggested Points for Written or Phone Communication
- I am a ratepayer in the South Huntington Water District, writing about the Melville Crossing application at 75 Maxess Road.
- What developer contribution to SHWD infrastructure is being required as a condition of this approval?
- Has the Town Board been briefed on the SHWD bond authorization implications of this project?
- Will a fiscal impact analysis be conducted before final approval?
Attend SHWD Board Meetings
The South Huntington Water District Board of Commissioners meets every Wednesday at 8:30 AM. Meetings are open to the public.
| Frequency | Every Wednesday |
| Time | 8:30 AM |
| Location | 75 Fifth Avenue South, Huntington Station, NY 11746 |
| Phone | 631-427-8190 |
| info@shwd.org |
What to Watch For at Board Meetings
- Rate change discussions — proposed increases to water charges or the surcharge
- Capital project approvals — votes on new or expanded infrastructure
- Bond resolutions — district action related to bond authorization requests to the Town Board
- Developer connection applications — new projects seeking SHWD connections
- Capacity assessments — reports on the district’s ability to serve new demand
Board meeting minutes are public records and can be requested from the district.
File a FOIL Request
New York State’s Freedom of Information Law (FOIL) gives the public the right to access records held by government agencies. SHWD, the Town of Huntington, and Suffolk County are all subject to FOIL.
[Your Name]
[Your Address]
[Date]
Records Access Officer
[Name of Agency]
[Agency Address]
RE: Freedom of Information Law (FOIL) Request
Dear Records Access Officer:
Pursuant to Article 6 of the New York State Public Officers Law (Freedom of Information Law), I hereby request access to and copies of the following records:
[Describe the specific documents you are requesting. Be as specific as possible. Examples:]
– The audited annual financial statements for fiscal years 2022, 2023, and 2024
– All records relating to system construction charges collected from developers, 2020–2024
– Any capacity assessment or engineering report prepared in connection with the Melville Crossing development application at 75 Maxess Road
– All bond authorization requests submitted by SHWD to the Huntington Town Board, 2015–2024
If any portion of the requested records is withheld, please provide written notice identifying the specific statutory exemption claimed and the factual basis for each withholding, as required by Public Officers Law §89(4)(a).
Please acknowledge receipt of this request within five (5) business days and provide the requested records or a written denial within twenty (20) business days, as required by law.
I prefer to receive records electronically where possible. If there is a fee for this request, please provide an estimate before proceeding.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
[Your Address]
[Your Phone / Email]
Where to Send FOIL Requests
South Huntington Water District:
Records Access Officer · 75 Fifth Avenue South · Huntington Station, NY 11746
631-427-8190 · info@shwd.org
Town of Huntington:
Town Clerk · 100 Main Street · Huntington, NY 11743
631-351-3206
FOIL is a powerful tool. Agencies must respond within 20 business days. The New York Committee on Open Government provides free guidance — and they respond to specific questions about your situation.
Stay Informed
- Bookmark the Development Watch page — updated as new projects emerge
- Subscribe to Town Board agendas at huntingtonny.gov
- Attend SHWD board meetings — Wednesdays, 8:30 AM, 75 Fifth Avenue South, Huntington Station
- Contact us with tips or documents: contact@shwdaware.com · documents@shwdaware.com
This page is a civic participation guide. It does not endorse any particular position on any development application. All contact information reflects public records as of publication date. Verify current meeting times and contact details before attending.