Smithtown weighs another yearlong pause on battery storage systems

TOWN HALL NOTES |

Smithtown is considering extending its moratorium on battery energy storage systems for another 12 months while the town reviews state fire safety rules and guidance.

The Town Board will hold a public hearing on the proposal at 2 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 19, in the Victor T. Liss Board Room at Smithtown Town Hall, 99 W. Main St.

The board first adopted the moratorium in September 2024 and most recently extended it in May 2026, according to the town’s public notice.

The proposed extension would give Smithtown more time to review recommendations from the state’s Inter-Agency Fire Safety Working Group, updates to New York’s fire safety code and a battery storage guidebook from the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority.

If adopted, the extension would take effect when the law is filed with the New York secretary of state. It would expire 12 months later unless the board extends it again. The town’s existing zoning variance procedures would still apply.

Top: An aerial view of Main Street in downtown Smithtown. (GLI/Andrew Theodorakis, file)