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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
Babylon Village Summer Camp
Snapper Derby in Lindenhurst
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VOL. 58 NO. 35
It’s time to register for NB charity run Page 24
AUGUST 29- SEPTEMBER 4, 2024
$1.00
Copiague Vamps battle boat fire By CAROLYN JAMES cjames@liherald.com
Photo courtesy/Blue Redline Photography Copiague firefighters battled a boat fire at Jensen Marine in Lindenhurst. Damage was contained to the boat and a nearby vinyl tent. No firefighters were injured and the cause of the blaze is under investigation.
Copiague firefighters were called to the scene of a boat fire at Jensen Marine at 1234 Montauk Highway, Lindenhurst. The call went out at approximately 10 p.m., on August 16. The fire was called in by a neighbor and Copiague Fire Chief Kyle Miller was in charge at the scene with 1st Ass’t. Chief Daniel Broyles and volunteers from Engines 1-310 and 1-350. Approximately 45 personnel in all responded. The 24-foot boat was in dry dock undergoing engine repairs when the fire broke out and Miller said CONTINUED ON PAGE 4
After public outcry, Lindenhurst developer goes back to drawing board Residents opposed to mixed-use development at vacated Walbaum’s site By CHRISTIE LEIGH BABIRAD cbabirad@liherald.com Levites Realty Management presented plans for a mixed-use residential and retail building on the former Waldbaum’s site off East Hoffman Avenue at a meeting it held on August 14. The project faced strong opposition from residents, leading the developer to later indicate that he will be revising the plans. Residents, concerned about traffic, taxes, parking, and aesthetics, objected strongly. John Lisi, president of the Daniel Street Civic Association, said, “We don’t need another apartment complex; it’s all going to
fall on the taxpayers.” He suggested residential condos instead of apartments to better support the tax base. “We learned our lesson from Tritec,” said Lisi referring to The Wel, a four-story, 260-unit apartment complex with rents ranging from $2,600 to $4,700 a month. “We don’t need another apartment complex; it’s all going to fall on the taxpayers.” The Wel, built in 2021, is not yet at capacity, and residents said it places a financial strain on the school district because it received tax abatements. which reduce, considerably, the amount of taxes the owners pay
to local Village and Town and school coffers. Lisi and others assumed the same would apply to the new proposed development Bobby Curcio of Levites Realty, along with architect Alexander Badalamenti and engineer Matthew K. Aylward, assured attendees that the project is in its preliminary stages and that community input is crucial. “This is a preliminary starting point,” said Curcio. “We want what’s best for the community.” The proposed project was for a mixed-use residential and
retail building that would be approximately 1200 square feet, have 172 units and 80 percent would be built on a platform. The site would include a small supermarket and community building. Residents expressed a preference for a supermarket rather than more apartments. “Many
residents are excited about something happening, but it is a supermarket that is needed in the community,” said resident Debbie White. Adele Venezia added, “We don’t need more apartments, and it’s difficult for young people to afford these apartments.” CONTINUED ON PAGE 4
This week’s reader of the week is: Dave Bishop of Oak Beach