Smithtown Notebook: First Same-Sex Couple Applies For Marriage, Unemployment Up

Town Grants First Same-Sex Couple Marriage License

 A Hauppauge couple became the in the Town on Smithtown on Monday.

The couple of 31 years went to Town Hall first thing on Monday morning to obtain their application and were set to wed for Tuesday.

The town did not have anyone on hand to perform marriages on Monday. Representatives for the town clerk’s office said the office generally does not perform marriages in the office but provides lists of people including ministers and judges who can perform marriages.

Smithtown Unemployment Rate Creeps Higher

representing the first time in seven months that the jobless rate was higher than 2010.

Smithtown’s jobless rate climbed to 6.5 percent in June 2011, compared to 6.4 percent June of 2010 according to numbers released Tuesday by the New York State Department of Labor.

“At this point in a downturn that’s usually an indication of discouraged workers,” said Michael Crowell, senior economist for the New York State Department of Labor. “People just stopped looking for work. Unless there’s some more job growth, yes [this will continue].

There is some hope on the horizon, however, Crowell said. The passing of the Green Jobs Financing Law will create jobs in environmental sectors by making on-bill financing possible for energy efficient home improvements. With on-bill financing, those who have added energy-efficient improvements on their homes will still pay the same electric bill, but the savings resulting from the improvements goes directly to paying off the loan. The hope is that this will encourage more people to install solar panels and other energy-efficient technologies and thus, create more green jobs.

Summer Concert Series

Music reigns in many towns across Smithtown with several summer concert series underway.

Residents can hear live music and several venues throughout the town. The concerts are backed by grants from the Town of Smithtown as well as partnerships with the Smithtown Parks Department, Recreation Department and Department of Public Safety.

Residents can see bands perform at these locations and are encouraged to bring chairs. Shows are weather permitting. All shows are free.

Thursday evenings in July and August. 7 p.m. at the Branch Shopping Plaza in Smithtown

Friday evenings in July and August. 7 p.m. at Russ Savatt Park on Main Street.

Sunday evenings throughout August. Show starts at 7 p.m. at Hoyt Farm

Nesconset Summer Concert Series

Tuesday evenings throughout July and August. Show starts at 7:30 p.m. at the Nesconset Gazebo in Charles P. Toner Park.