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Also serving Amityville, North Amityville, Amity Harbor, Copiague, and East Massapequa
Sheriff’s office hosts Narcan training
CHAPTER 2: Making Merry
A chorus responds to a kitten’s cries.
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Pages 10 & 11
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VOL. 129 NO 49
DECEMBER 18-24, 2025
$1.00
Amityville gets the holly-jolly Christmas spirit Tree lighting, holiday house tour and more delight community By CAROLYN JAMES cjames@liherald.com Amityville Village ushered in the holiday season with a festive bang on Saturday, Dec. 7, as the community gathered for a series of events, highlighted by the traditional Christmas Tree lighting in the Village Triangle. Mayor Dennis Siry welcomed several hundred attendees to the celebration, noting the debut of a new sound system in the village, donated by Carolyn James/Herald the Singh family, owners of Melanie and Betty Carlino with Joy Matera and Donna Granata on Amityville Village’s Holiday House Tour. Brunswick Hospital. He also extended thanks to the Amityville Chamber of Commerce for sponsoring a new initiative, the “decorate a light pole” event, which saw families adorning light poles along Broadway with festive decorations. “We hope this program continues to grow, and that next year we’ll be able to light up all By CAROLYN JAMES Additionally, Introductory Local Law #7 the lampposts in the village,” cjames@liherald.com will increase the maximum allowable exemp- Siry said. The Village of Amityville Board of Trustees tion levels for residents receiving the AlterThe evening began with a is expanding the eligibility for property tax native Veteran Exemption. Residents already prayer by Pastor Tom Cusinelli exemptions for veterans and senior citizens. receiving the Alternative Veteran Exemption In response to increases in the cost of liv- d o n o t n e e d t o r e - a p p l y t o r e c e i v e t h e ing, the board was to vote Dec. 23 on two local increased exemption. laws: Introductory Local Law #6 will increase Applications for both exemptions for the the allowable income limits for the senior cit- upcoming 2025/2026 year are now being izen property tax exemption. Seniors who accepted by Amityville Village. Residents earned less than $43,400 in 2023 will be eligi- wanting to apply can obtain an application at ble for an exemption for the 2025/2026 Village Village Hall, or go online at www.amityville. of Amityville property tax bill (see chart for com in the “Assessor/Tax Clerk” folder of the the proposed new levels).
Village board expanding income eligibility for senior, veteran property tax exemptions
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of St. Paul’s Church, followed by the Blessing of the Tree, led by Rev. Randolph Jon Reminder of St. Mary’s Church. Entertainment was provided by the Amityville High School Music Ensemble, the St. Martin of Tours Choir, and Great South Bay Dance. As the countdown to the tree lighting began, led by Corinne Buddy and members of the Amityville Parks Commission, the crowd joined together for a heartfelt rendition of “Silent Night.” The event’s highlight came when Santa Claus made his grand entrance, arriving in a fire truck courtesy of the Amityville Fire Department, complete with music and twinkling lights. Children eagerly lined up to meet Santa, with many posing for selfies with the jolly man and Mrs. Claus. Earlier in the day, the Amityville Junior League held its ever-popular Holiday Open House Tour. Hundreds of people visited CONTINUED ON PAGE 8