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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
VOL. 60 NO. 24
Tim Sini receives appointment
A major call for water conservation
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JULY 9-15, 2026
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Babylon marks nation’s 250th with commemorative photo
Courtesy Steve Gravano, Town of Babylon
Babylon Town officials gathered with local, county, state and federal representatives in front of Old Town Hall in Babylon Village for a commemorative photo marking the nation’s 250th anniversary. “As we celebrate our nation’s 250th anniversary this Fourth of July weekend, we were proud to commemorate this historic milestone while highlighting the strong partnerships that unite all levels of government, regardless of party affiliation, in service to our residents,” Town Supervisor Richard Schaffer said. Schaffer organized the event with Councilman Anthony Manetta. The photo features Supervisor Richard Schaffer, Town Clerk Gerry Compitello, Councilmen Anthony Manetta, Terry McSweeney and Tony Martinez, who stood with a commemorative banner. Also shown are Suffolk County Executive Ed Romaine; Suffolk County Comptroller John Kennedy; Suffolk County Sheriff Errol D. Toulon Jr.; Suffolk County Clerk Vincent Puleo; Suffolk County Chief Assistant District Attorney Allen Bode; Suffolk County Legisla-
tors R.J. Renna, Tom Donnelly and Jason Richberg; Assemblyman Michael Durso; state Sen. Monica Martinez; Suffolk County Police First Precinct Inspector Brendan Forte; Amityville Mayor Michael O’Neill and Trustee Owen E. Brooks Jr.; Lindenhurst Trustees Maryann Weckerle, Patrick M. Pichichero and David Collins; Babylon Village Mayor Mary Adams, Deputy Mayor Frank Siebert and Trustee Jeff Szabo; and community historians Joe Guidice of Amityville; Anna Jaeger and Marianne Guglieri of Lindenhurst and Wayne Horsley and Judy Skillen of Babylon. Members of local fire departments also attended, as did Babylon Town Historian Mary Cascone. “We were honored to welcome an outstanding turnout of elected officials from across the Town of Babylon, including representatives from our villages, as well as county, state and federal government, fire departments, police and historical societies,” Manetta said. “Happy Independence Day, America, and best wishes to all the residents of the Town of Babylon,” he added.
Lawmakers okay tax credit increases for volunteer firefighters By CAROLYN JAMES cjames@liherald.com The New York State Senate and Assembly have approved legislation aimed at strengthening recruitment and retention of volunteer firefighters and volunteer ambulance workers by significantly increasing the state income tax credit available to those unpaid first responders. The bill, sponsored in the Senate by Sen. Monica R. Martinez, (4 th SD), would raise the existing tax credit from $200 to $800 for eligible individual volunteers and from $400 to $1,600 for married couples filing jointly when both spouses qualify. The measure passed both the Sen-
ate and Assembly during the 2025-26 legislative session and is eligible to be sent to Gov. Kathy Hochul for consideration. If signed into law, the legislation would provide one of the largest increases ever made to New York’s volunteer firefighter and ambulance worker tax credit program. Supporters say the increase is long overdue. The current credit was established in 2007 and has remained unchanged for nearly two decades, reducing its value over time because of inflation. The legislation is intended to provide meaningful recognition for volunteers who dedicate their time to protecting their communities while helping local departments address ongoing staffing shortages.
“The service our volunteer firefighters and ambulance workers provide is invaluable, but the tax credit supporting them has not kept pace,” Martinez said. “The credit has remained unchanged for nearly 20 years, reducing its value over time. If New York is serious about recruiting and retaining volunteers, we must provide support that reflects the demands of their service.”
New York State Assemblyman Michael Durso, (9th District), who supported the measure said that while it provides some incentive, he and some other lawmakers would have liked to have seen an even greater incentive. “There was a measure to pass along a $2,500 tax credit but that was voted down,” said Durso. “Eight hundred CONTINUED ON PAGE 2