Public Hearing - February 24, 2026
PUBLIC HEARING
WAS HELD IN THE BOARD ROOM,
153 WEST MAIN STREET, BABYLON, NEW YORK,
ON TUESDAY,
FEBRUARY 24, 2026
PRESENT:
Mayor Mary Adams
Trustee Frank Seibert
Trustee Dominic Bencivenga
Trustee Anthony Cardali
Trustee Jeffrey Szabo
Attorney Charles J. Casolaro
The meeting opened at 7:04 pm.
The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Trustee Cardali.
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, February 24, 2026, at 7:00pm at Village Hall, 153 West Main Street, Babylon, New York 11702, to consider the following:
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.
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Board of Trustees of the Inc. Village of Babylon will hold a public hearing on Tuesday, February 24, 2026, at 7:00pm at Village Hall, 153 West Main Street, Babylon, New York 11702, to consider the following:
- 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
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.
Mayor Adams clarified that this is not a Budget meeting, this is hearing about a tax override and introduced the Village Treasurer, Andrew Reichel, to explain exactly the reason for the override.
Treasurer Reichel stated relating to this Local Law, in conjunction to making a budget, the Village must do a tax cap calculation. Years prior, the state passed a municipal law that requires us to limit our tax levy increases. To do this calculation, we have certain growth factors that go into the calculations. The reason for adopting this local law is if when we are making the budget we decide to pierce the tax cap, (the rate of inflation or 2%, whichever is lower), we are able so. This does not mean that we will or intend to pierce the cap. Municipalities all over New York adopt the same law. It also covers the Village if we inadvertently pierce the tax cap. When we are doing our budget , we can put out a tax levy within our cap. However, we can have a calculation wrong, and it will pierce the tax cap. If we do not adopt this law, and we pierce the tax cap, we can be penalized by the State monetarily and in other ways. This is a precautionary measure that will cover the Village. It does not mean that we will pierce the cap.
Trustee Seibert stated that the Treasurer explained it well, and this law needs to be in place.
Trustee Bencivenga agreed it is a precautionary measure; it makes sense .
Trustee Cardali stated this was done in the past; we have always passed this law as a precaution in case we do pierce the cap.
Trustee Szabo asked the residents to be patient; we are in the initial development of the budget - it takes several months The Board is very mindful of taxes everyone pays, and we are doing everything we can to keep that into consideration.
The meeting was opened to the public; the following person addressed the Board.
- · Kim Synder, 141 Cockenoe Ave.
On the motion of Trustee Seibert, seconded by Trustee Szabo and unanimously carried, it was
RESOLVED to reserve decision.
Proposed Local Law 0224 of 2026 – Façade Improvement Board
Mayor Adams gave some background on the Façade Improvement Board, stating this is a good thing for the downtown business area. The Village Board came up with an idea to help improve the downtown business district, especially those stores & shops that have been here for a long time.
When developers put in new retail space, one of the fees they pay is the Façade Improvement fee. Those fees go into a separate Façade Improvement Fund, which is a matching grant to store owners to improve the façade of their business The Façade Board, who are appointed, will go over these applications and listen to the applicants to award grants. The Façade Improvement Board will work alongside the Architectural Review Board. The only reason for the Façade Improvement Board is to help our Downtown Business District.
Trustee Seibert said this started out as Façade Committee to help the downtown area. It was then decided to be a Board in order establish polices and some type of power of authority to make formal decisions and to hand out the matching grants with the goal of improving the downtown business area.
Trustee Bencivenga thinks is complementary to what the Village is doing and the Board will continue to maintain that.
Trustee Cardali noted that the new owners have renovated their properties and storefronts. This program will assist the existing businesses who may not have the funds, “spruce up” their storefronts as well.
Trustee Szabo thanked both Mayor Adams and Deputy Mayor Seibert for creating the concept of the Façade Board. Trustee Szabo wanted to point out that the application needs the consent of both the property owner and the tenant to be considered for the grant. It will benefit the overall downtown aesthetics.
The meeting was opened to the public; the following persons addressed the Board.
- Gary McGlinchey, 151 Sumpwams Ave.
- Bill Bendernagel, 33 Wilson Drive
On the motion of Trustee Seibert, seconded by Trustee Szabo and unanimously carried, it was
RESOLVED to reserve decision.
Applicant:
JKA Diner Corp.
175 E. Main Street
Babylon, NY 11702
Matthew Busch Architect - 2015 Union Blvd., Islip
John Kanaras, Owner - 12 Pine Edge Place, Dix Hills, NY 11746
Peter Kanaras, Owner
Business: Whiskey Down Diner, 175 E. Main Street, Babylon, SCTM: 010-04-053
Mr. Busch introduced himself and explained that the Whiskey Down Diner has a location already in Farmingdale and this would be their second location. This is currently the site of Gemelli’s Restaurant, and they will be doing interior renovations, expanding the kitchen and expanding the outdoor seating only and keeping the same amount of seating that the CO’s already have.
Mayor Adams asked to confirm that there will be no Valet. The applicants stated not at this time.
Trustee Siebert asked about parking and the type of seating - booths, tables, bar? Mr. Busch stated tables and bar seating with the total amount of seating staying with the existing amount - 98 seats. The parking lot can accommodate 32 cars so there is ample parking. Trustee Seibert asked if it would be like their Farmingdale location. Mr. Kanaras stated that it will be similar in layout, menu and hours of their other location.
Trustee Bencivenga asked for clarification on the seating, The applicant stated there will be 98 seats inside and 38 seats for outdoor dining. Trustee Bencivenga asked for a clarification on hours of the operations. Hours would be 9:00 am to 10:00 pm Monday through Saturday; 9:00 am to 3:00 PM on Sunday. Trustee Bencivenga also inquired about live music. The applicant stated acoustic music outside, only during the summertime.
Trustee Cardali noted that the plans were mostly to refresh the interior space by adding a walk-in cooler outside and changing the Pergola and landscaping. The applicant confirmed interior renovations, mostly in the kitchen area.
Trustee Szabo asked if it would look like the Farmingdale location and a timeline for opening. Applicant stated yes, it will be similar to the Farmingdale location, and they are hoping to open in early Fall. Trustee Szabo also asked if they were planning on joining the Chamber of Commerce and being an active participant in the community. The applicant stated they would, and that is something they would like to do, to be a part of the community,
Mayor Adams inquired about the outside patio area. Mr. Busch stated they are extending the patio by an additional 4 feet and installing an overhead cover with all sides open and redoing the landscaping as well. Mayor Adams also asked if there would be valet parking with their lot. Applicant said not at this time, but if it is necessary, they will revisit that option.
On the motion of Trustee Seibert, seconded by Trustee Szabo and unanimously carried, it was
RESOLVED to reserve decision.
On the motion of Trustee Seibert, seconded by Trustee Szabo and unanimously carried, the meeting adjourned at 7:36 PM.
_____________________
Village Clerk
** For attachments contact the Village Clerk’s Office