Town of Babylon board closes three public hearings and approves multiple resolutions, some with abstentions

The Town of Babylon Board met Jan. 2, 2025, and closed three scheduled public hearings before approving a series of resolutions, several with one or more abstentions.

The board opened the meeting with the Pledge of Allegiance and a moment of silence. The presiding host explained how residents could view the meeting on the town’s YouTube channel and how to submit comments or speak during three scheduled public hearings and the open portion.

Public hearings closed, decisions reserved

The board opened three public hearings and accepted no public testimony on any. The first hearing concerned proposed changes to Chapter A-217 governing recreational fees; the second addressed an amendment to Chapter 3, Article 2, §3-4 of the Town of Babylon uniform traffic ordinances; the third sought to lift town board covenants and restrictions for Planning Board job 23-31 for 45 Dale Street, LLC. In each case the board closed the hearing and “reserved” a decision for later, as announced during the meeting.

Votes at a glance

The meeting’s primary work was consideration of a multi-item resolution calendar. Key outcomes recorded in the meeting minutes included:
- Resolution 4 — Approved by roll call, 4 in favor, 1 abstention.
- Resolution 30 — Approved by roll call, 3 in favor, 2 abstentions.
- Resolution 31 — Approved by roll call, 3 in favor, 2 abstentions.
- Resolution 32 — Approved by roll call, 4 in favor, 1 abstention.
- (Record shows an item entered as “Resolution 30 3” in the minutes) — Approved by roll call, 4 in favor, 1 abstention.
- Resolution 34 — Approved by roll call, 4 in favor, 1 abstention.
- Resolution 35 — Approved by roll call, 4 in favor, 1 abstention.
- Resolution 36 — Approved by roll call, 4 in favor, 1 abstention.
- Resolution 37 — Approved (voice vote as recorded).
- Resolution 38 — Approved (voice vote as recorded).
- Resolution 39 — Approved by roll call, 4 in favor, 1 abstention.
- Resolution 40 — Approved by roll call, 4 in favor, 1 abstention.
- Resolution 41 — Approved by roll call, 4 in favor, 1 abstention.
- Resolution 43 — Approved (voice vote as recorded).
- Resolution 44 — Approved (voice vote as recorded).
- Resolution 45 — Approved (voice vote as recorded).
- Resolution 46 — Approved unanimously by roll call, 5–0.
- Resolution 47 — Approved by roll call, 4 in favor, 1 abstention.
- Resolution 958 of 2024 — Approved (voice vote as recorded).
- Resolution 959 of 2024 — Approved by roll call, 3 in favor, 2 abstentions.

Several of the items recorded a single abstention rather than a no vote; one item (Resolution 46) was recorded as unanimous 5–0.

What the record shows and what remains reserved

The meeting record shows the board closed the three public hearings without public testimony and reserved final decisions on those hearings. The resolution calendar moved forward with routine approvals; the transcript records repeated voice votes and roll-call tallies. The record contains a transcription entry shown verbatim as “Resolution 30 3,” which is ambiguous in form but was treated as a discrete calendar item and approved in the minutes.

Participants and procedure

Named participants appearing in the roll call and vote record include Councilman Mineta, Councilman Martinez, Councilman McSweeney, Councilman Gregory and Supervisor Schaffer. The clerk conducted roll calls for items requiring recorded votes. Several motions were made and seconded from the dais; specific movers and seconders were recorded in the meeting minutes in some cases and were not always identified by name in the transcript excerpt.

No members of the public registered to speak during the open portion. Following the consent and resolution items, Councilman McSweeney moved to adjourn and the board voted to end the meeting.

Next steps

The minutes indicate decisions on the three public hearings were reserved for a later time; the transcript does not specify when those final determinations will be scheduled. The town clerk’s office or the Town of Babylon calendar should have updates when decisions are posted.