Owner Steve Squitiro is doing a bit of damage control, insisting that the abrupt shutdown is strictly temporary. He chalks the whole ordeal up to a simple clerical glitch with the New York State Liquor Authority, sparked by a sudden “change in corporate structure.”

Squitiro was quick to play defense, explicitly stating to the press that there were no fights, no violence, and no underage drinking involved. The Suffolk County Department of Health also confirmed a clean record for the eatery. While the main dining room sits dark, The James is still managing to host its scheduled private events, reportedly because they already hold the specific liquor permits for those gatherings. It is a convenient loophole, but one that leaves regular diners locked out on the sidewalk.

When Squitiro and partner Andrew Affa opened The James to great fanfare in 2024, it arrived with a massive wave of hype. However, it also had massive shoes to fill, having replaced The Carriage House—a true neighborhood institution that many Babylon locals still deeply, deeply miss. While Newsday might have swooned over The James’s sweeping staircase, head-turning artwork, and towering seafood platters, the flashy transition hasn’t been universally celebrated here in the village.

For many residents, the massive brasserie-style bar brought more headaches than charm, chief among them being the parking situation. Since its grand opening, parking around the venue has been a well-documented concern. The influx of out-of-town diners clogging our local streets has left many neighbors wondering if the iconic throwback dishes are really worth the daily disruption to our community

If there is one redeeming takeaway from Squitiro’s recent statements, it is his expressed concern for his employees. He noted that his primary worry is the 100 staff members currently out of work, calling them family and emphasizing his eagerness to get them back on the floor. That is a local sentiment we can all support.

The management team seems highly confident they will have their pending liquor license sorted out in a matter of days. We will be watching closely to see if they actually make that weekend deadline. Until those heavy doors officially swing open for the general public again, we will be taking the “clerical error” excuse with a grain of salt.

Pursuant to Resolution adopted by the Village Board:

SEALED BIDS will be received by the Village Clerk of the Village of Babylon at 153 West Main Street, Babylon, New York, 11702 on Thursday, April 16, 2026, at 9:30 a.m. at which time they will be publicly opened and read, and the Contract awarded as soon thereafter as practicable for the:

VILLAGE OF BABYLON

LIGHTHOUSE ROAD BULKHEAD REPLACEMENT

This project includes the removal and replacement of approximately 157 linear feet of timber bulkhead with new vinyl bulkhead in the same location as existing.

Drawings and specifications may be examined and obtained at the Village Hall, between the hours of 9:00 AM and 4:00 PM daily except Saturdays, Sundays, and Holidays on and after Thursday, April 02, 2026.

A non-refundable deposit of $50.00 is required for each set of contract documents. Checks are to be made payable to the Village of Babylon.

Each proposal must be accompanied by a Certified Check or Bid Bond made payable to the Village of Babylon in the amount of five percent (5%) of the total amount of the bid.

Bid proposals should be made in sealed envelopes clearly marked “Lighthouse Road Bulkhead Replacement”. Said bids will be opened and read aloud at the above stated time.

The Village of Babylon encourages minority and women owned businesses to participate in all bids.

The Village of Babylon reserves the right to waive any informalities in Bidding and to reject all bids or to accept any Bid, which in the opinion of the Board, will be in the best interest of the Village.

By Order of the Board of Trustees Village of Babylon

This Babylon Village Legal notice was copied from this URL on April 5, 2026.

VILLAGE OF BABYLON

COMPLETION OF THE FINAL ASSESSMENT ROLL

PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that the Final Assessment Roll for the Incorporated Village of Babylon, Suffolk County, New York, for the Tax Year 2026-27, has been completed and verified by Teresa A. Allar, Village Assessor, and a certified copy thereof has been filed in the Office of the Village Clerk located at the Municipal Building, 153 West Main Street, Babylon, Suffolk County, New York, on the 1st day of April, 2026, where the roll will remain on file subject to inspection, during regular business hours. The Assessment Roll will also be accessible on our website, www.villageofbabylonny.gov. The Final Tax Roll will be available once the Board of Trustees adopts the Budget for the 2026-27 fiscal year, which will be no later than May 1st.

Jean Marie Parker

Village Clerk

Dated: April 1, 2026

Babylon, New York 11702

This Babylon Village Legal notice was copied from this URL on April 5, 2026.

BOARD OF APPEALS

VILLAGE OF BABYLON

PURSUANT to the provisions of Article VII of the Building Zone Ordinance of the Village of Babylon, NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Board of Appeals of the Village of Babylon will hold a public hearing at 7:30 P.M. on Wednesday, April 15, 2026, in the Municipal Building, at 153 West Main Street, Babylon, New York to consider the following applications:

1. Application of Philip Terribile, 4282 Oak Beach, Oak Beach, NY 11702, for permission to maintain a storage yard on the premises located at 141-145 John Street, Babylon, NY, requiring a special use variance to have a storage yard in the Industrial District. The storage yard has a temporary office trailer, eight storage structures, and nine additional structures. Property located in Industrial District, Suffolk County Real Property Tax Map District 0102, Section 7, Block 2, Lots 86 and 87. Application made in accordance with Sections 365-21, 365-63 and 365-35.
2. Application of James Luttieri, Suffolk Marine Center Inc., 21 Shore Road, Babylon, NY, for permission to install boat racks on the east side of the property on the premises located at 21 Shore Road, Babylon, NY requiring variances to reduce the rear yard setback from 25 feet required to 6 feet proposed. Property located in Residence A-7, Suffolk County Real Property Tax Map District 0102, Section 14, Block 3, Lot 27.1. Application made in accordance with Sections 365-15 and 365-35.
3. Application of Peter Jespersen, 248 Rt. 25A, Suite 8, Setauket, NY, agent for owner Thomas Dwyer, 59 Beachwood Drive, Babylon, NY for permission to construct a second story addition on the premises located at 59 Beachwood Drive, Babylon, NY requiring variances to reduce the front yard setback from 30 feet required to 25.4 feet existing, to reduce the total side yard setback from 20 feet to 18.3 feet existing, to increase lot coverage from 25% allowed to 27.7% proposed and to reduce the minimum lot width from 85 feet required to 60 feet existing. Property located in Residence A-9 District, Suffolk County Real Property Tax Map District 0102, Section 8, Block 1, Lot 7. Application made in accordance with Sections 365-14 and 365-35.
4. Application of Howard Haberly, 68 South Carll Avenue, Babylon, NY for permission to construct a new front stoop on the premises located at 68 South Carll Avenue Babylon, NY requiring a variance to reduce the front yard setback from 35 feet required to 24 feet proposed. Property located in Residence A-11 District, Suffolk County Real Property Tax Map District 0102, Section 13, Block 2, Lot 34. Application made in accordance with Sections 365-13 and 365-35.
5. Application of Dean Koutsoumbis, 121 Newbridge Road, Hicksville, NY 11801, agent for owner Matthew Scalza, 113 Lucinda Drive, Babylon, NY for permission to install a generator on the premises located at 113 Lucinda Drive, Babylon, NY requiring a variances to reduce the minimum side yard setback from 15 feet required to 4 feet proposed and to reduce the total side yard setback from 30 feet required to 25 feet 8.25 inches proposed. Property located in Residence A-11 District, Suffolk County Real Property Tax Map District 0102, Section 21, Block 1, Lot 22. Application made in accordance with Sections 365-13 and 365-35.
6. Application of Victor Acebedo, Bozzetto AE LLC, 331 Willis Avenue, Mineola, NY 11501, agent for owner, John Vargas, 397 West Main Street, Babylon, NY for a special permit to convert a one family dwelling into a two-family dwelling on the premises located at 397 West Main Street, Babylon, NY. Property located in Residence A-9 District, Suffolk County Real Property Tax Map District 0102, Section 12, Block 2, Lot 36. Application made in accordance with Sections 365-14 and 365-35.

APPLICANTS OR THEIR DULY APPOINTED REPRESENTATIVES MUST APPEAR IN PERSON AT THE ABOVE HEARING.

BRUCE HUMENIK, CHAIRMAN

JEFFREY C. WEBER, SECRETARY

This Babylon Village Legal notice was copied from this URL on March 29, 2026.

VILLAGE OF BABYLON

BABYLON, NEW YORK

PLEASE BE ADVISED the Board of Trustees of the Village of Babylon will hold a public hearing on Monday April 6, 2026 at 7:00 P.M. in the Municipal Building, 153 West Main Street, Babylon, New York, to take and hear comments relating to the tentative budget for the fiscal year 2026-2027. Immediately following the Budget Hearing, the Annual Organizational Meeting will be held.

A copy of the tentative budget will be available in the Office of the Village Clerk as of Friday, March 20, 2026, where it may be inspected by any interested party during the business hours of 9:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M., Monday through Friday.

The compensation proposed in said budget for the Mayor is $15,000 per year and $7,500 per year for each Trustee.

BY ORDER OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES

Jean Marie Parker

VILLAGE CLERK

DATED: March 12 , 2026

This Babylon Village Legal notice was copied from this URL on March 29, 2026.

The new budget represents a $731,685  increase over the previous year. To balance the books, the Village is proposing a tax levy of $9,165,316, resulting in a tentative tax rate of 0.1984 per $100 of assessed valuation—a nearly 5% climb for Village taxpayers.

The Village budget hearing will be on April 6 at 7:00 pm at 7:00 P.M. in the Municipal Building.

Babylon Village Budget at a Glance

Proposed Spending Increases

The single largest area of growth in the proposed budget is Transportation, which is slated for a $239,000 boost. Most of this is directed toward increases in employee costs.

Like many municipalities, Babylon is grappling with rising mandatory expenditures. Employee Benefits (excluding Fire Dept. awards) are expected to rise by over $140,000, driven largely by a $110,000 jump in State Retirement contributions. Additionally, Debt Service is seeing a 21.9% increase.

Babylon Village Budget By Department

Funding and Purpose

The grants are intended to specifically assist the downtown business district, particularly “those stores and shops that have been in business for years”. Funding is generated through a “downtown business improvement fee” that the village collects from developers constructing new retail space. This fee is set at $2 per square foot.

Adams noted that while the improvement board “doesn’t have $20,000 that they’re going to hand out,” the fund currently holds just over $3,600.

How the Grants Work

The grants can be applied to a variety of facade improvements, ranging from new awnings and flowerpots to power washing. Businesses applying must secure permission from the property owners before beginning the work. Trustee Jeff Szabo will work with the new board in an advisory capacity.

The five board members, who will each receive $1,000 annually, will conduct site inspections and meet monthly to discuss applications, evaluate proposed work, and determine the amount of the matching grants. The village’s architectural review board will also provide input to ensure the work is consistent with Babylon’s aesthetic standards.

The New Board Members

The paid board replaces a previous volunteer committee. Mayor Adams appointed the five members to three-year terms based on their expertise in design, architecture, construction, and business.

The appointed board members are:

• Charles Torres (Chairman): Has a background in business, design, and management.
• Peter Buser: Expertise is in construction and planning design.
• Carrie O’Farrell: Senior partner and manager of the environmental resource and wetlands assessment division at Nelson Pope Voorhis in Melville.
• Tom Vitale: Serves as president of the village’s chamber of commerce and is the director of the Babylon Public Library.
• Ken Rogers: A developer and the only member of the previous volunteer committee to be appointed to the new board.

Rogers, who was reached for comment on Thursday, stated that he believes the program will benefit the village overall. He added, “I think it’s great that we can keep a look at the downtown and see if there are any areas that need to be addressed”.

However, the appointment of Rogers is notable because he previously received criticism from community members after demolishing two historic buildings at Main Street and Mansfield Road: the Selah Smith Carll House (built circa 1826) in 2018, and the adjacent South Side Signal Building (built circa 1869) in 2019. Rogers had unsuccessfully sought a historical preservation designation for the latter building, explaining that without the designation, preservation was not financially sensible.

Previous Grant Success

The former volunteer committee reviewed about a dozen applications for matching grants. One grant was distributed last year: $500 to the Good Hair Day salon. Owner Crystal Freyer said the $500 from the village “was still helpful” for the overall $2,800 upgrade, which included painting and a new awning. Freyer feels the improvements “made the space more welcoming from the street” and has been receiving compliments from patrons.

PURSUANT to the provisions of Article VII of the Building Zone Ordinance of the Village of Babylon, NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Board of Appeals of the Village of Babylon will hold a public hearing at 7:30 P.M. on Wednesday, March 18, 2026, in the Municipal Building, at 153 West Main Street, Babylon, New York to consider the following applications:

1.  Application of Andrew Laufer, 406 DPA LLC, 406 Deer Park Avenue, Babylon, NY, for permission to maintain professional accounting offices at the premises located at 406 Deer Park Avenue, Babylon, NY. Property located in Residence O District, Suffolk County Real Property Tax Map District 0102, Section 6, Block 3 Lot 32. Application made in accordance with Sections 365-17 and 365-35.
2. Application of AR Home Construction, 15 Belinda Court, Smithtown, NY 11787 for permission to demolish the existing dwelling and construct a two story single family dwelling on the premises located at 1 Christopher Court, Babylon, NY requiring variances to reduce the front yard setback from 35 feet required to 20 feet 3 inches proposed (property has two front yards) and to increase the lot coverage from 25% permitted to 28.56% proposed. Property located in Residence A-11 District, Suffolk County Real Property Tax Map District 0102, Section 21, Block 1, Lot 38. Application made in accordance with Sections 365-7A, 365-13 and 365-35.
3. Application of Victor Acebedo, Bozzetto AE LLC, 331 Willis Avenue, Mineola, NY 11501, agent for owner, John Vargas, 397 West Main Street, Babylon, NY for a special permit to convert a one family dwelling into a two-family dwelling on the premises located at 397 West Main Street, Babylon, NY. Property located in Residence A-9 District, Suffolk County Real Property Tax Map District 0102, Section 12, Block 2, Lot 36. Application made in accordance with Sections 365-14 and 365-35.
4. Application of Yael Seagal, 40 Orchard Drive, Woodbury, NY 11797, for a permission to construct two story single family dwelling on a vacant lot on the premises located at 446 Little East Neck Road, Babylon, NY requiring variances to reduce the front yard setback from 25 feet required to 21 feet proposed; to reduce the minimum side yard setback from 6 feet required to 5 feet 6 inches proposed, to reduce the total side yard setback from 20 feet to 15 feet 9 inches proposed; to reduce the rear yard setback from 25 feet to 16 feet 9 inches proposed; to increase the lot coverage from 25% permitted to 26% proposed and to reduce the lot width 70 feet required to 40 feet pre-existing. Property located in Residence A-7 District, Suffolk County Real Property Tax Map District 0102, Section 20, Block 1, Lot 81. Application made in accordance with Sections 365-15 and 365-35.
5. Application of Susan Licciardi, 89 Woodsome Road, Babylon, NY for permission to construct a second-floor dormer addition on the premises located at 89 Woodsome Road, Babylon, NY requiring a variance to reduce the minimum side yard setback from 15 feet to 8.2 feet pre-existing. Property located in Residence A-11 District, Suffolk County Real Property Tax Map District 0102, Section 13, Block 1, Lot 26. Application made in accordance with Sections 365-13 and 365-35.

APPLICANTS OR THEIR DULY APPOINTED REPRESENTATIVES MUST APPEAR IN PERSON AT THE ABOVE HEARING.

This Babylon Village Legal notice was copied from this URL on February 27, 2026.

February 26, 2026

NEW BUSINESS:

Yael

446 Little E. Neck Road

2nd Story Balcony/Driveway

Catapano Engineering

101 Peninsula Drive

2nd Story Balconies/Driveway/Retaining Wall

OLD BUSINESS:

Rogers

375 Deer Park Avenue

Site Plan Review

This Babylon Village Legal notice was copied from this URL on February 24, 2026.

A local law establishing a Façade Improvement Board to be added to Retail Business District Section of the Village Code.

    Proposed Local Law 0224PH of 2026 allowing the Village to adopt a budget that exceeds the “tax levy amount” as defined by General Municipal Law §3-c.

An application for a Special Use Permit to open and operate the Whiskey Down Diner to be located at 175 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

February 3, 2026

FACADE BOARD

CHAPTER 365 – ZONING – ARTICLE IV – DISTRICT REGULATIONS

THE NEW LAW REPEALS THE CURRENT 365-20J AND REPLACES IT WITH THIS NEW LAW.

Section 1. Mission and Intent

The purpose of this Local Law is to promote the health, safety, and general welfare of the community by improving the appearance of existing buildings, preserving property values, and for the purposes of non-conforming facades. The Façade Improvement Program is intended to assist existing business owners in revitalizing their building facades. The Incorporated Village of Babylon recognizes the importance of assisting business owners in the maintenance and appearance of business storefronts in the downtown commercial district and providing funding to do so.

Section 2. Establishment of the Façade Improvement Board

There is hereby established a Façade Improvement Board, which shall consist of a Chairman and four (4) members, all appointed by the Mayor. The Chairman shall receive annual compensation of $1,000, and each member shall receive annual compensation of $1,000. The Board shall meet on the 2nd Thursday of each month at 6:00 pm. The Board will meet monthly to review and consider applications for façade improvement grants. Committee members shall serve a term of three (3) years. Committee members will be initially appointed in March 2026. These appointed members are not Village employees.

Section 3. Facade Improvement Board

(a) Contributing Qualified Applicants. Any applicant for a commercial building permit for new construction, additions, and/or renovations of floor footage shall make a payment pursuant to Section 1.

(b) The fee required to be paid under this section shall be fixed and established by Resolution adopted by the Board of Trustees from time to time.

(c) Information pertaining to the Facade Improvement Fund shall be available in the Building Department and on the Village website and all building permit applications shall indicate that projects may be subject to Facade Improvement Funds.

Section 4. Application and Review Process

1. A business or property owner seeking to improve an existing building façade shall first file a building permit application with the Village Building Department.

2. All applications must include written authorization and consent from BOTH the property owner and the tenant (if applicable). No application shall be deemed complete without signed consent forms verifying mutual agreement for the proposed façade improvements.

3. Following ARB review and approval, the applicant may submit a Façade Improvement Grant Application to the Façade Improvement Board. Applications may be obtained from the Mayor’s Office or downloaded from the Village website.

4. At the completion of work, the applicant will display a sticker in the window saying they participated in the Facade Improvement Program.

Section 5. Business District Definition

For the purposes of this local law, the Business District shall be defined as follows: Deer Park Avenue from the Village Line Road south to Main Street, extending east to Route 231 and west to the Village line and to various retail/commercial businesses off Fire Island Avenue and John Street in the Village.

Section 6. Funding and Fee Calculation

A dedicated Façade Improvement Fund shall be maintained by the Village Treasurer. Funds shall be derived as mentioned in (a) and defined in Resolution #12 of 2024. These funds shall be used exclusively for façade improvement grants to qualifying business owners in the Village. Grants shall be awarded on a quarterly basis or as the Facade Improvement Board deems appropriate. Facade fees will be based on only retail and/or commercial space of a renovated or new building.

Section 7. SEQR Determination

It is hereby determined pursuant to the provisions of the State Environmental Quality Review Act (SEQRA), that the adoption of this local law constitutes a Type II Action within the meaning of 6 NYCRR 617.5(c)(26) and therefore will not have a significant effect on the environment. No further environmental review is required.

Section 8. Severability

If any section, subsection, or provision of this local law is adjudged invalid by a court of competent jurisdiction, such judgment shall not affect or impair the validity of the remainder of this law, but shall be confined to the provision directly involved in the controversy.

Section 9. Effective Date

This local law shall take effect immediately upon its adoption and filing with the Office of the Secretary of State.

TAX CAP

A local law authorizing a property tax levy in excess of the limit established in General Municipal Law §3-c

Section 1. Legislative Intent

It is the intent of this local law to allow the Village of BABYLON to adopt a budget for the fiscal year commencing June 1, 2026 that requires a real property tax levy more than the “tax levy limit” as defined by General Municipal Law § 3-c.

Section 2. Authority

This local law is adopted pursuant to subdivision 5 of General Municipal Law §3-c, which expressly authorizes a local government’s governing body to override the property tax cap for the coming fiscal year by the adoption of a local law approved by a vote of sixty percent (60%) of said governing body.

Section 3. Tax Levy Limit Override

The Board of Trustees of the Village of Babylon, County of Suffolk, is hereby authorized to adopt a budget for the fiscal year commencing June 1, 2026, that requires a real property tax levy in excess of the amount otherwise described in General Municipal Law §3-c.

Section 4. Severability

If a court determines that any clause, sentence, paragraph, subdivision, or part of this local law or the application thereof to any person, firm or corporation, or circumstance is invalid or unconstitutional, the court’s order or judgment shall not affect, impair, or invalidate the remainder of this local law, but shall be confined in its operation to the clause, sentence, paragraph, subdivision, or part of this local law or in its application to the person, individual, firm or corporation or circumstance, directly involved in the controversy in which such judgment or order shall be rendered.

Section 5. Effective date

This local law shall take effect immediately upon filing with the Secretary of State.

This Babylon Village Legal notice was copied from this URL on February 24, 2026.

Board of Trustees Meeting Agenda

February 24, 2026

AGENDA – February 24, 2026

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

MINUTES

CORRESPONDENCE

RESOLUTIONS

Party Fairies, C&R’s addition

Façade Board, appointments

Bid Award, Paving Requirements

Insomnia Cookies, C&R’s approved

Permissions:

Great South Bay Amateur Radio, Marconi Day

Babylon Pride, Pride Parade

St. Joseph’s Church, Stations of the Cross

Nathaniel Conklin Award Selection Committee, temporary signs

Babylon Breast Cancer Coalition, temporary signs

Save the Great South Bay Annual Creek Clean Up, Hawley’s Pond

Babylon Junior-Senior High School, Peter Figoski Memorial Softball Game

Chamber of Commerce, Spring Fling – date change

Chamber of Commerce, Easter Bunny event

Employees:

John Gaughan, salary increase

Fees:

Electric Use at Village Marinas

Proposed Local Law 0224PH of 2026- Tax Levy

Proposed Local Law 0224 of 2026 – Façade Board

Warrant

Announcements