News Nearby: Girl Scout Project Thanks U.S. Troops, Port Jeff Noise Law Debated

On any given day there's plenty happening in the Three Village community, but let's take a look at what's happening nearby:

• From Port Jefferson Patch:.

At the public board meeting on Monday, Port Jefferson trustees discussed impending changes to the village’s noise code. Residents at the meeting came in on both sides of the issue, some complaining that the new code goes too far to limit noise in the village, while others fully supported the changes. An attorney for Northville Corporation asked the board to consider delaying its vote on the new noise code being considered for approval. Northville has a facility that transfers gasoline and heating oil shipped in from barges in Port Jefferson Harbor and its pumps generate noise that the company fears might cause a problem under the new code. Currently code allows noise up to 75 decibels between 11 p.m. and 9 a.m. sustained for more than five minutes. All other times the acceptable noise level is 95 decibels. The new code looks to lower the noise level to 50 decibels on Friday and Saturday nights from 11 p.m. to 7 a.m. and weekdays between 7 p.m. and 7 a.m. At all other times the code would allow noise levels up to 65 decibels.

• From Sachem Patch:

It was last year, when Ashely Modafferi, then 10-years-old, saw a commercial on television that reported the high suicide rate amongst U.S. veterans. Now she's hoping to reverse that trend by planning a veterans meet and greet whereby the Sachem community can shake hands and thank local veterans for their service. What started out as a project to earn her Girl Scouts Bronze Award, has come to fruition: the meet and greet is scheduled for this coming Saturday, Sept. 15 at 10 a.m. at the VFW Post 400 on College Road in Farmingville. "I saw a commercial on TV that talked about how 18 veterans in this country kill themselves every day," Modafferi said in an email to Patch. "This made me sad. I didn't understand why people let this happen. I wanted to do something to help."

• From Smithtown Patch: Town Drug and Alcohol Center Relocates.

Horizons Counseling and Education Center, the Town of Smithtown’s home for drug and alcohol problem prevention and education, has moved to 161 East Main Street, the former home to . The move gives its staff the ability to perform all services under one roof, something it has not been able to do. "We were doing a lot of our programming in other locations wherever we could find a spot because we didn't have any space to provide services, we were limited," said Elaine Economopoulos, director of drug and alcohol services. "We're not growing, we just now can maximize our potential."

• From Commack Patch:

A Commack business and four residents have filed a joint lawsuit against the Smithtown Town Board for its decision to allow Hess to build a new gas station in Commack. The plaintiffs want which allows Hess Corporation to build a 12-pump Hess Express with a 1,231-square-foot convenience store, to be annulled. Town officials approved a zoning change from whole sale industrial, professional business and residential zoning to neighborhood business for Hess. Also named as defendants in the lawsuit are the Hess Corporation, L.M.I Commack Realty and Fayland Realty. Gasoline Heaven and the four residents argue town officials failed to take a hard look at the environmental impact it would have.