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BaBylon _______________
HERALD BEaCon
Also serving Babylon, Bay Shore, Copiague, Deer Park, Farmingdale, Lindenhurst, North Babylon, West Babylon, West Islip and Wyandanch
Copiague student is honored
LSD students raise money for Habitat for Humanity Page 12
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VOL. 75 NO. 16
APRIL 17-23, 2025
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Rising costs push Babylon Village budget over the tax cap limit By CHRISTIE LEIGH BABIRAD
sessed at $3,500. The proposed spending plan The Babylon Village Board pierces the New York State Tax is considering a budget for the Cap, which sets a limit on the coming year of $14.57 million, an annual growth of property taxes increase of 10.91 percent, or an to 2 percent or the rate of inflaadditional $1.43 million in new tion, whichever is less. Mayor Mary Adams said that spending. Officials said that driving up costs for the 2025-26 though the budget is high this fiscal year are major increases year, she has looked at other in general property and liabil- municipali-ties that have gone ity insurance and medical and up and stated that they don’t hospital insurance costs, all of have the services that Babylon which are outside the village’s Village has. A n d r e w control. Liability Reichel, the Vilcosts alone have lage’s Treasurer, gone up $190,000. said he and the There are also board went over salary increases everything to across the board find areas where and the first year they could cut of payments on a costs and reduce bond issue taken the burden on out in 2023 for property owners. bulkheading, “We want to pool restorations, TONY CARDALI, thank you, Antwo highway VILLAGE TRUSTEE drew,” said Addump trucks, two ams. “You really highway pick-up worked hard on trucks, two sanithis, in the best tation trucks, interests of our BFD equipment, HVAC system for BFD and a golf course stor- residents, and we made it as tight as we could.” age building. “Everybody is feeling the Under the proposed budget, property owners would see a crunch with insurance costs 9.88 percent increase in their going up,” added Trustee Tony real property tax rate, or an Cardali. The Village is expected to additional $1.70 per $100 of assessed value. That translates vote on the budget at its meetinto an additional $59.50 a year ing on April 22 at 8 p.m. at the for Village taxes on a home as- Village Hall, 153 W. Main St., cbabirad@liherald.com
Courtesy Suffolk County PBA
PBA President Louis Ciello speaks at the dedication.
Suffolk Police Benevolent Association unveils plaque to its fallen heroes By CAROLYN JAMES cjames@liherald.com
Members of the Suffolk County PatrolmeMembers of the Suffolk County Patrolmen’s Benevolent Association (PBA) recently unveiled a memorial honoring the PBA members who lost their lives in the line of duty, including from 9/11- related illnesses. The plaque was installed at the PBA office in Brentwood. Following the ceremony, the families of the deceased joined PBA members and public officials at the association’s annual luncheon. PBA President Louis Ciello spoke about the significance of the event–and the memorial,–saying it is also a reminder to the police officers who enter the PBA building of those who died in service to the people of Suffolk County and their families. “We never want them to feel they are forgotten, and this is part of our ongoing commitment to make sure we are there for the families,” said Ciello. “We always say
that our brother officers make the sacrifice once, but the families make the sacrifice every day—at every holiday, every meal, every family event that their loved one is not there.” The names of those listed on the plaque include: P.O. John J. Nolan, Dep. Chief Alfred C. Kohler, P.O. Albert A. Willetts, P.O. William V. DeRosa, Det. Carmine M. Macchia, P.O. John Jantzen, P.O. John J. Venus, P.O. Glen L. Ciano, Sgt. Dennis W. Reichardt, Chief Thomas P. Compitello, P.O. Vincent J. DeVivo, Dep. Insp. George A. McMullen, P.O. Frank D. Cataldo, P.O. Jack C. Burkhardt, Sr., Sgt. Lawrence J. Devine, Sgt. James Hutchens, Sgt. Timothy J. Henck, P.O. Craig L. Capolino, Det. Stephen J. Mullen, P.O. Robert J. Kirwan, P.O. Carmelo A. Cattano, P.O. George A. Frees, D/Lt. Joseph H. Hawkins, P.O. Ralph Sorli, Det. Dennis J. Wustenhoff, P.O. Henry J. Stewart, P.O. Edwin Hernandez, Sgt. James T. Farrell, and Lt. Robert J. Van Zeyl.
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verybody is feeling the crunch with insurance costs going up.
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