February 27, 2024
A work session of the Board of Trustees of the Village of Babylon was held in the upstairs conference room on TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2024. Present were: Mayor Adams, Trustee Seibert, Trustee Bencivenga, Trustee Cardali, Trustee Miga and Attorney Casolaro. On the motion of Trustee Bencivenga, seconded by Trustee Seibert and unanimously carried, the work session opened at 6:32 PM. On the motion of Trustee Seibert, seconded by Trustee Miga, and unanimously carried, the work session ended at 7:00 PM.
REGULAR MEETING OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF THE VILLAGE OF BABYLON
WAS HELD IN THE BOARD ROOM,
153 WEST MAIN STREET, BABYLON, NEW YORK,
ON TUESDAY,
February 27, 2024
PRESENT:
Mayor Mary Adams
Trustee KathyAnn Miga
Trustee Frank Seibert
Trustee Anthony Cardali
Trustee Dominic Bencivenga
Attorney Charles Casolaro
Regular meeting of the Board of Trustees opened at 8:07 PM.
The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Trustee Bencivenga.
On the motion of Trustee Seibert, seconded by Trustee Miga and unanimously carried, it was
RESOLVED to approve the minutes of the February 13, 2024 regular meeting of the Board of Trustees and dispense with the reading of the same.
The Village Clerk read the letter from the Fire Department dated February 20th, 2024:
At the regular monthly meeting of the Fire Council held February 20th, 2024, the Fire Council took the following actions and we await your approval:
Accepted as Probationary Members
Shane McSweeney - Hook and Ladder Company
Members Completed Probation
Matthew Costanzo - Fire Patrol Company
Placed on Sick Leave
Joseph Catanzaro - Sumpwams Hose Company
Removed from Sick Leave
William Tillinghast, Jr. - Fire Patrol Company
Accepted Resignation
Sean White - Electric Hose Company
Grant Lee - Electric Hose Company
On the motion of Trustee Seibert, seconded by Trustee Miga and unanimously carried, it was
RESOLVED to accept the Fire Department actions as read.
On the motion of Trustee Seibert, seconded by Trustee Miga and unanimously carried, it was
RESOLVED to grant permission to the Nathaniel Conklin Award Selection Committee to display 8” x 11” posters at selected stores throughout the Village to promote the 2024 Nomination Applications from February 28th through May 10th, 2024.
Trustee Seibert read the following Resolution and polled the Board;
WHEREAS, the Aid and Incentives for Municipalities (AIM) program plays a critical role in funding essential municipal services for cities and villages across New York State; and
WHEREAS, city and village officials share the same priorities as our state leaders which is to make New York safer and more affordable; and
WHEREAS, New York’s local governments, who are on the frontlines of controlling property tax affordability and ensuring public safety, are integral to achieving those goals; and
WHEREAS, the State has not increased AIM funding in 15 years and according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, inflation has increased by nearly 45% during that same period; and
WHEREAS, this neglect from the State has led to rising municipal tax burdens and harmful disinvestment in essential municipal services and staff; and
WHEREAS, the property tax cap further limits the ability of local governments to properly fund the services their residents need; and
WHEREAS, the challenges of rising inflation, the increasing costs of labor and supplies, and the end of extraordinary federal aid, only accentuate the need for an increase in AIM funding; and
WHEREAS, the Governor’s 2024-25 Executive Budget proposes to keep AIM funding flat; and
WHEREAS, an increase in AIM funding would reduce the local tax burden and help revitalize communities across New York;
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Village of Babylon urges Governor Hochul to work with the leaders of the Senate and Assembly and increase AIM funding in the 2024-25 adopted State Budget.
A copy of this resolution shall be sent to Governor Kathy Hochul, Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins, Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie, Senator Alexis Weik, Assemblymember Michael Durso and the New York State Conference of Mayors.
_____________________________
MARY E. ADAMS, Mayor
Incorporated Village of Babylon
YEAS: NAYS:
Mayor Adams ___X__ _____
Trustee Miga ___X__ _____
Trustee Seibert ___X__ _____
Trustee Cardali ___X__ _____
Trustee Bencivenga ___X__ _____
On the motion of Trustee Bencivenga, seconded by Trustee Cardali and unanimously carried, it was
RESOLVED to make the following budget transfers for the 2023/24 budget, as attached.
On the motion of Trustee Bencivenga, seconded by Trustee Cardali and unanimously carried, it was
RESOLVED to hire Terence McSweeney Sr. as per diem laborer at the E. Donald Conroy Golf Course effective March 1st, 2024, with an hourly rate of $20 per hour.
Trustee Bencivenga noted that Mr. McSweeney is hired to help control the geese and is replacing the Geesebusters contract.
On the motion of Trustee Cardali, seconded by Trustee Bencivenga and unanimously carried, it was
RESOLVED to hold the Farmers Market at the Village Gazebo from Sunday June 2nd until Sunday October 13th, 2024 from 8am to 12:30pm.
On the motion of Trustee Cardali, seconded by Trustee Bencivenga and unanimously carried, it was
RESOLVED to grant permission to the Chamber of Commerce to display 11 x17” posters at various businesses in the Village to promote the Easter Bunny Parade from March 16th through March 30th, 2024.
On the motion of Trustee Cardali, seconded by Trustee Bencivenga and unanimously carried, it was
RESOLVED to approve the following warrant for February 27, 2024.
General Account: $ 122,145.96
Total General Fund: $ 122,145.96
TOTAL: $ 122,145.96
On the motion of Trustee Miga, seconded by Trustee Seibert and unanimously carried, it was
RESOLVED to make the following budget amendments for the 2023/24 budget, as attached.
On the motion of Trustee Miga, seconded by Trustee Seibert and unanimously carried, it was
RESOLVED to grant permission to the Babylon Village Arts Council to display 2 - 24” x 36” temporary signs at the entrances to the Village to promote the Art by the Falls event from May 1st through May 19th, 2024.
On the motion of Trustee Miga, seconded by Trustee Seibert and unanimously carried, it was
RESOLVED to increase the annual salary of Dawn Dahill $1,000 effective February 14, 2024, having completed her six-month probationary period.
Announcements:
Trustee Seibert stated for the Conklin House Award for Volunteer of the Year, get applications in by May 10th.
Trustee Bencivenga stated letters for boating have been sent out, half price at Argyle or can be relocated. Golf Course will be open last week of March.
Trustee Miga thanked the Volunteer Corps again for shoveling a 2nd time. They will help clean up the fields for Little League.
Trustee Cardali noted the following:
- May 11th - first registration for pool starting at 10AM.
- June 9th – Car Show, 9:00AM- 2:00 PM.
- June 26th – Pool Opening Day, 12 noon.
- July 21st – Village Swim Meet.
- Village Maintenance crew is getting everything ready.
- Special thanks to Highway Department for their efforts with snow removal.
The meeting was opened to the public; the following person addressed the Board:
Pat Terry, 18 Park Avenue
On the motion of Trustee Miga, seconded by Trustee Seibert and unanimously carried, the meeting adjourned at 8:26 PM.
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**For attachments contact the Village Clerk’s Office