January 28, 2025 - Public Hearing
PUBLIC HEARING
WAS HELD IN THE BOARD ROOM,
153 WEST MAIN STREET, BABYLON, NEW YORK,
ON TUESDAY,
JANUARY 28, 2025
PRESENT:
Mayor Mary Adams
Trustee Frank Seibert
Trustee Dominic Bencivenga
Trustee Sean Goodwin
Attorney Charles J. Casolaro
ABSENT:
Trustee Anthony Cardali
The meeting opened at 7:03 pm.
The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Trustee Bencivenga.
The Village Clerk read the following Legal Notice:
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Board of Trustees of the Inc. Village of Babylon will hold a public hearing on Tuesday, January 28, 2025, at 7:00pm at Village Hall, 153 West Main Street, Babylon, New York 11702, to consider the following:
An Application by Frankie Bragaglia and Babylon Crew LLC., for a Special Use Permit to open and operate a lounge/restaurant and a pickle ball court to be located at the address of 96 E. Main Street, Babylon, New York 11702;
PLEASE TAKE FURTHER NOTICE that at said hearings all interested parties will be given an opportunity to be heard on said proposed Local Law at the place and time aforesaid. Copies of the proposed Local Law will be available at the Village Hall at least five (5) days before the public hearing and may be seen during the regular business hours.
BY ORDER OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES
VILLAGE OF BABYLON
Jean Marie Parker
Village Clerk
Dated: Babylon, New York
January 5, 2025
Applicant:
Frankie Bragaglia
PO Box 11
Bayport, NY 11705
Business: Restaurant, Babylon Crew LLC. 96 East Main Street, SCTM: 014-02-012
Mr. Bragaglia wishes to open an Athletic Sports Lounge with a pickleball court in the outside courtyard. For the restaurant, high-end craft cocktails, small plates, oysters. He is looking to run the pickleball court to about 8:00 or 9:00 p.m., with special leagues and open to the public. Mr. Bragaglia is also looking to install a second bar and a glass enclosed patio/ lounge area overlooking the pickleball court.
Trustee Seibert wanted a clarification on business hours. The applicant reiterated that the hours requested were from 11:00 a.m. – 2:00 a.m. (3:00 a.m. on weekends). Pickleball would end around 9:00 p.m. depending on the season. Trustee Seibert also wanted clarification on the lounge. Mr. Bragaglia stated that there will be a pool table, darts. Trustee Seibert expressed his concern about the pickleball court facing a residential area and the noise. Trustee Seibert asked for clarification of menu. Mr. Bragaglia stated there will be a full menu for the lounge portion of the restaurant.
Trustee Bencivenga also expressed concern about the noise/times of pickleball and the parking lot. The residents behind the parking lot had issues in the past. Trustee Bencivenga asked about music and speakers: music will be interior – no speakers will be outside.
Trustee Goodwin expressed concerns about the 55 and older complex right behind the building and apartments next door, having pickleball going 7 days a week until 9:00 p.m. Can pickleball end earlier? Mr. Bragaglia asked for the Village to give assistance with that, work on times and he will limit the amount of people on the court. Trustee Goodwin questioned parking and exterior lights. The applicant stated it would be on street parking and exterior lights would be facing the restaurant and can be turned off.
Mayor Adams asked it there will be a net to protect the cars in the parking lot. Applicant said a net would be installed. The mayor also asked if there were any other options for the outdoor space. Applicant stated not currently.
The meeting was opened to the public; the following persons addressed the Board.
- Kerry Oman, 79 Prospect St., Babylon
- Alan Oman, 79 Prospect St., Babylon
On the motion of Trustee Seibert, seconded by Trustee Goodwin and unanimously carried, it was,
RESOLVED to reserve decision.
The Village Clerk read the following Legal Notice:
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Board of Trustees of the Inc. Village of Babylon will hold a public hearing on Tuesday, January 28, 2025, at 7:00pm at Village Hall, 153 West Main Street, Babylon, New York 11702, to consider the following:
Proposed Local Law 0128PH of 2025– Tax Cap, authorizing a property tax levy increase more than the limit established in General Municipal Law §3-c.
PLEASE TAKE FURTHER NOTICE that at said hearings all interested parties will be given an opportunity to be heard on said proposed Local Law at the place and time aforesaid. Copies of the proposed Local Law will be available at the Village Hall at least five (5) days before the public hearing and may be seen during the regular business hours.
BY ORDER OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES
VILLAGE OF BABYLON
Jean Marie Parker
Village Clerk
Dated: Babylon, New York
January 5, 2025
Mayor Adams explained this is not to raise taxes this evening; this law is to allow us to override the Tax Cap if needed without being penalized.
Trustee Seibert agreed to have this in place as a precautionary measure.
Trustee Bencivenga also agreed this will give us the flexibility if needed.
Trustee Goodwin was in favor.
The meeting was opened to the public; no one addressed the Board.
On the motion of Trustee Seibert, seconded by Trustee Goodwin and unanimously carried, it was,
RESOLVED to reserve decision.
The Village Clerk read the following Legal Notice:
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Board of Trustees of the Inc. Village of Babylon will hold a public hearing on Tuesday, January 28, 2025, at 7:00pm at Village Hall, 153 West Main Street, Babylon, New York 11702, to consider the following:
A proposed local law prohibiting the establishment of retail stores that sell firearms within the territorial boundaries of the Village of Babylon.
PLEASE TAKE FURTHER NOTICE that at said hearings all interested parties will be given an opportunity to be heard on said proposed Local Law at the place and time aforesaid. Copies of the proposed Local Law will be available at the Village Hall at least five (5) days before the public hearing and may be seen during the regular business hours.
BY ORDER OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES
VILLAGE OF BABYLON
Jean Marie Parker
Village Clerk
Dated: Babylon, New York
January 5, 2025
The Village Attorney, Mr. Casolaro, explained that the law accomplishes three things:
- Prohibits retail sale of firearms in the Village of Babylon; no retail store can open in the Village.
- Prohibits anyone from illegally carrying or discharging a firearm or rifle or any unregistered or unlicensed firearm in the Village of Babylon; if you are licensed by the police department or the State of New York, you are not violating the law. If you are unlicensed, then you violate this law. If you are licensed, you do not violate this law.
- Prohibits the discharge of any hunting instrument, firearms or air rifle or gun constructed as to discharge pellets, darts, or bb’s by spraying or compressed air. This does not apply to military funerals, ceremonies or other ceremonies permitted by New York State law.
The purpose of this law is to prevent the retail sale of firearms in the Village of Babylon, so no stores can open. This is a not an uncommon law within villages in Nassau and Suffolk counties, but there are villages that allow the sale of firearms. Mr. Casolaro clarified this is not an infringement upon the Second Amendment right. It is not. This law does not say you cannot carry a firearm, it just reiterates you must be licensed and authorized by law, which is New York State’s law. The law does state that villages, local government, municipalities, are allowed to construct laws to promote safety. It does prohibit the sale of firearms within the Village, with one exception, the American Legion gun shows that are held within the Village.
Trustee Seibert is in favor for safety reasons.
Trustee Bencivenga wanted to clarify that discharge does not apply to a 21-gun salute that the America Legion Post does on Memorial Day and Veterans Day. It is worth having the law in place and he will support it.
Trustee Goodwin is in favor of firearms not being sold in the Village.
The meeting was opened to the public; the following persons addressed the Board.
- James Kelly, 100 Locust Drive, Amityville
- Manuel Alarcon, 48 Strathmore on the Green, Middle Island
- Vito Carillo, 15 N. Marion Place, Rockville Centre
- Kerry Oman, 79 Prospect St. Babylon
On the motion of Trustee Seibert, seconded by Trustee Goodwin and unanimously carried, it was,
RESOLVED to reserve decision.
Meeting adjourned at 7:14 PM.
_____________________
Village Clerk
** For attachments contact the Village Clerk’s Office