A heated debate unfolded Tuesday night in Smithtown, as residents gathered for a Town Board meeting to voice their opinions on the proposed Townline Rail Terminal in Kings Park.

The facility, which would be used to haul trash from Long Island, has sparked strong reactions from both supporters and opponents.

The room was packed to capacity, with many more watching from outside as emotions ran high. The proposed terminal would be located at the site of Carlson Corp’s existing facility on Old Northport Road. Though the site is in an industrial area, it is just 150 feet from a residential neighborhood, raising concerns among local residents about its potential impact on their property values and quality of life.

“We’re talking about a wrong project in the wrong community,” one resident said during the meeting. Others expressed concerns about the pollution the freight yard could bring.

Mike Masino, a Kings Park resident, voiced his worries about the long-term effects on his children.

“I have an 11-year-old and a 9-year-old. Exposing them to all the pollution – the fumes, the waste, the noise – is just unacceptable," he says.

Supporters of the rail terminal argue that it would be a step toward addressing Long Island’s growing waste management challenges, especially with the impending closure of the Brookhaven Landfill.

Toby Carlson, whose company is behind the proposal, emphasized the need for a more efficient system to manage the region's waste.

"We are not prepared for it. The amount of waste we have to move on a daily basis is staggering,” Carlson said. “We’re working around the clock to keep things functioning.”

The proposed project aims to replace garbage trucks with freight trains, which supporters argue would reduce road congestion and the environmental impact of trucking waste. However, the plan has raised questions about whether the environmental benefits outweigh the potential drawbacks for nearby residents.

For the project to move forward, the Town Board would first need to amend local zoning and waste management laws. Additionally, the town plans to conduct its own environmental review.