This past Saturday was another “Coffee and Conversation” with Babylon Village Mayor Ralph Scordino. The Mayor addressed many issues of concern to Village residents. Here are some summaries of what was discussed.

Argyle Falls Restoration

This project has received two large sums of money to be dedicated to this project. Babylon Village resident Theresa Santmann made a personal donation of $200,000 earlier in the year. In addition to that, Babylon Village was recently awarded a $100,000 “Jumpstart Grant” through Suffolk County’s Department of Economic Development and Planning

A bid opening was set on Thursday, September 26th for those interested in obtaining the Argyle Falls Restoration Project. The Mayor reports that no one was in attendance. Another bid scheduled for early November and the engineering firm of Savik and Murray will expand the application process to include additional contractors.

Estimates on the cost of this project range from $500,000 and up.

Babylon Courtyard Hotel

At this time, no plans have been submitted to the Babylon Building Department for the Babylon Courtyard Hotel project. The Mayor reports that there have been multiple, speculative ideas for the project, but none have them have been suitable for the proposed location or Babylon Village.

Labor and Safety Violations

As has been reported, two inspections by the NYS Department of Labor turned up multiple violations. The Mayor reports that all violations will be resolved by the end of October.

Changes To Babylon Village Rental Law

Local Law #7, which replaces the existing rental laws in Babylon Village, has been passed. As we noted, this law prohibits “transient rentals” of fewer than thirty days and so effectively bans Airbnb and similar services including house sharing/house swapping. Yearly inspections of rental properties are required.

Tall Buildings Coming To Railroad Ave

Local Law #9 has been passed which allows for buildings of up to 40 feet and 4 stories on portions of Railroad Ave. A developer has purchased the building next to the UPS store and intends to have a mixed use building with retail on the first floor and apartments above.

They Paved Paradise And Put Up A Parking Lot

Plans have been submitted to the Zoning Board of Appeals for 73 W. Main Street on which used to stand the historic South Side Signal Building built in 1869 and the Brosnahan Law Office, also known as “Aunt Julia’s House” ,built in 1826 by Selah Smith Carll.

The developer plans for retail space on the main level and apartments on the upper level which I’m sure will more than make up for the loss of these two historic buildings.

You don’t know what you’ve got ’til it’s gone.