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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
Gabe Grenci honored
Joanne Anderson’s pet column
Babylon’s “Unsung Heroes” honored
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VOL. 75 NO. 46
NOVEMBER 6 - 12, 2025
$1.00
Town’s budget hearing set By CAROLYN JAMES cjames@liherald.com
Carolyn James/Herald
Republican supporters from Babylon gather at Stereo Garden in Patchogue to await results.
Schaffer and team win reelection By CHRISTIE LEIGH BABIRAD and CAROLYN JAMES Herald Newspapers
Babylon Town Supervisor Richard Schaffer greeted supporters at the IBEW 1049 headquarters in Holtsville where Democrats gathered on election night and announced simply, “I have been reelected.” That was greeted by enthusiastic applause by his Democratic supporters. Schaffer, who won with more than 75 percent of the vote according to unofficial tallies, quickly amped up the level of enthusiasm, however, thanking his supporters and announcing the victory of his entire team including Babylon Town Clerk Gerry Compitello and Councilmen Anthony Manetta and Anthony Martinez, all incumbents who won by wide margins. That was topped off for the Democrats by the reelection of S.C. Leg. Jason Richberg (15th District) who won 73.66 percent of the vote, and Tom Donnelly of the 17th District who got 69.48 percent of the vote. Also winning reelection on the Democratic side was S.C. Sheriff Errol D. Toulon Jr. “We have some very positive energy here tonight,” said Richberg prior to results being announced. “The best part is that residents got together and let their voices heard.” “It’s another cycle for me,” said Donnelly who was first elected in 2017. “Good government equals good politics, and it is an honor to serve.”
Unofficial tallies showed that Schaffer won with more than 75 percent of the vote At the Stereo Garden in Patchogue where Republicans gathered, the mood was also positive, as S.C. Republican leader Jesse Garcia greeted supporters saying Republicans were doing well and announcing the reelection of S.C. District Attorney Raymond Tierney. Tierney thanked those who have worked to keep Suffolk County residents safe. “This work is being done primarily by young people who grew up here and are doing a tremendous job. “Criminal know that if you come into Suffolk County and commit a crime you are going to be held responsible because that is what we do in Suffolk County.” Both Tierney and Toulon ran without opposition. To that point, Schaffer told a reporter the decision not to put up a Democrat against Tierney—and the Republicans choice not to put a candidate against Toulon—was because of how well the two officials work together to protect and serve the people of Suffolk County. Also winning reelection was S.C. Leg. Steve Flotteron (11th LD), a Republican, who got 58 percent of the vote ,and Richard RJ Renna, who ran without official opposition in the 14th LD and garnered 98 percent of the vote. Voters also overwhelmingly supported a Proposition to extend the terms of office for S.C. Legislators from two to four years by 64 percent .
Bolstered by notice of a Aaa Bond Rating by Moody’s Investors, Babylon Town officials are presenting the town’s 2026 budget to the public on Thurs., Nov. 6. The proposed spending plan maintains the same tax rate in all lines except for the highway fund which is going up approximately $30 per household. Babylon Town Supervisor Richard Schaffer said this will allow the town to continue to spend $10 million a year for road restoration, as part of a “ten million for ten years,” plan it began several years ago to meet residents’ expectations to have safe and well-maintained roads, and the town’s commitment to meet those expectations. The tax rate will remain at $23.66 per $100 of assessed value which equates to an average tax bill in the town of $826.93 for a home assessed at $3,494. “Our approach is that we understand that these are tough economic times and that people want us to maintain a high level of services at the lowest cost possible,” said Babylon Town Supervisor Richard Schaffer. “The increase in the highway fund to continue improving our roads allows us to continue
that.” The proposed spending plan is within the New York State Tax Cap. There is also money to strengthen the town’s commitment to safety. Two new park rangers are being hired and a full-time sergeant is being added to the staff to provide a mid-level supervisory role, said Schaffer. The town is facing some additional costs in the state’s retirement and healthy and pensions systems. “We, as all towns and villages, go a sticker shock when we saw the 2026 payment projections,” said Schaffer. The town’s Operation Clean program, under the supervision of the Babylon commercial garbage district, will continue the work of cleaning up local streets and highways. The program, stated in May of 2024, is designed to “wage war against trash.” The town dedicated $1 million toward the program. The funds come from the town’s commercial garbage district, not the general budget, and the fees paid by commercial carters. The budget hearing will be held 3 p.m. in the Town Board Room, Babylon Town Hall, 200 East Sunrise Highway, Lindenhurst. For more information go to townofbabylony. gov.