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Also serving Babylon, Bay Shore, Copiague, Deer Park, Farmingdale, Lindenhurst, North Babylon, West Babylon, West Islip and Wyandanch
Lindenhurst workers bring smiles Page 7 VOL. 75 NO. 37
Places to go with your pets this fall
Music and smiles in Babylon Village Page 10
Page 13
SEPTEMBER 4 - 10, 2025
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BV swimmers are champions By CHRISTIE LEIGH BABIRAD cbabirad@liherald.com
Carolyn James/Herald
Babylon Town and The Katch sign agreement allowing nonresidents to patronize the facility at Venetian Beach for evening performances
Music returns to Venetian Shores By CAROLYN JAMES cjames@liherald.com
The music is back at Venetian Shores, and the beach venue is once again open to both residents and non-residents through the end of the season, Sept. 13 under an agreement hammered out by the Town of Babylon and The Katch, the concessionaires operating at the beach. “My client is looking forward to getting back to having beautiful music and entertainment open to the public because what has happened has been harmful to their business,” said Steven Polito, an attorney based in Central Islip who represents The Katch. In late July, nearby residents began voicing concerns to the Town of Babylon over events like Latin Night and Polish Night and well-known specialty bands, which attracted large crowds from across Long Island and beyond. While the beach is restricted to residents during the day, the venue is open to the public in the evening, leading to traffic and parking problems when lots reached capacity and cars spilled into surrounding streets. “The place could not handle the people and the traffic down there,” said Babylon Town Supervisor Richard Schaffer. “The venue is really a neighborhood place where you can
go to get something to eat and a few drinks and listen to some music.” “Ridiculous,” that’s how one resident living a block from the beach characterized the traffic and parking issues along his residential street. “There are cars as far as the eye can see and it is ridiculous—and unsafe, said the resident who asked that his name not be used. “They should provide a shuttle bus so people can park their cars in one of the empty lots on Montauk Highway,” said another resident who said the parking conditions, especially on nights when The Katch is hosting a popular band has impacted negatively on the quality of life in the area. Other residents a little further north of Venetian also noted the traffic conditions but said it did not have a big impact on their quality of life. “Sure, we can hear the music and people are walking along the streets, but, hey, it’s summer,” said Harry Kyriazis who added that residents living south of Montauk Highway put up with a lot of things like traffic and flooding, but that it’s all part of living near a beach and in beautiful area, especially during the summer. “My only concern with two little children, is that everyone drives safely,” he concluded. CONTINUED ON PAGE 2
The Babylon Village Swim Team finished its season undefeated for the first time, earning the title of 2025 Town of Babylon Champions. “The kids did a great job,” said Village of Babylon Trustee Anthony Cardali at the Aug. 12 Board of Trustees meeting. “They won every single meet; the coaches did a phenomenal job.” The team, made up of 24 athletes ages 7 to 14, began practices on July 2. The Town of Babylon Championship was held Aug. 9 at Phelps Lane Pool in North Babylon. Jennifer Rodriguez served as head coach, alongside coaches Bella Devoti, Mikaela Mott and Audrey Palladino. Team members included Nicholas Focarile, Savannah Huffman, Abby Cunningham, Shane Cunningham, Faelynn Rodriguez, Griffin Rodriguez, Mason Taormina, Addison Perry, Andrew Graham, Audrey Graham, James Dolan, Henry Hatten, Hadley Hatten, Sadie Weber, Abigail Darrell, Una Sheridan, Kennedy Friel, Austin Friel, Kellan Smith, Matt Leahy, Bodhi Broderick, Avery Broderick, Douglas Farrell and Luca Lewandoski. “I’m very proud of all the work the kids put in, and the parents as well—bringing their children to the early morning practices,” Rodriguez said. “Ev-
erybody just worked extremely hard; we’ve been trying to build the team for a couple of years now.” Rodriguez also praised the overall effort from all competing teams, calling it a great swim season. “I am very proud of all the hard work and dedication my swimmers and coaches put into every early morning practice and swim meet,” she said. Mayor Mary Adams also commended the team’s performance. “What a year it has been for our Village of Babylon sports teams, and now it is our swim team that captures the Town Championship,” Adams said. “Our swim team worked so hard this season, and it was not only their swimming abilities but their sense of team sportsmanship and spirit that captured our village hearts. Congratulations to our swim team and our coaches on a successful season, and get ready, Town of Babylon—the Village of Babylon Swim Team will be doing it again in 2026!” Prior to the regular meeting, the board held three public hearings for proposed applications: •Jamie Winkler, representing Insomnia Cookies Operators LLC, requested approval to open a late-night retail bakery at 55 Deer Park Ave. CONTINUED ON PAGE 2