Header images: Babylon Town Hall — Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0 · Suffolk County Supreme Court — Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0 · Main Street, Babylon Village — Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
The week of November 1–7, 2026. Residents challenged a proposed Town tax increase and elected-official raises, a sentence was handed down in the killing of West Babylon teen Liam Delemo, and North Babylon songwriter Robert Arleo is bringing his musical to the Tilles Center.
Your Money · Town of Babylon
Babylon budget proposes nearly 6% Town tax increase and a 29% supervisor pay raise
The Town of Babylon’s proposed 2027 budget would raise the average homeowner’s Town tax bill by $114, from $1,920 to $2,034, an increase of about 5.9%. The estimate applies to the Town portion of property taxes; school, county and other district charges are separate.
The proposal also sets a possible salary of $160,000 for Supervisor Rich Schaffer, up from $123,680—an increase of $36,320, or about 29%. News 12 reported that the plan includes a 13% increase for the tax receiver as well.
At the November 5 public hearing, residents objected to the proposed tax increase and elected-official raises. Speakers questioned the cost to homeowners and the level of Town services. Deer Park resident Joseph Prevete asked News 12: “How do they justify giving themselves such a raise at this time?”
Schaffer cited rising operating costs and said staying within the state’s tax cap would require balancing those costs against services. He said the proposed salary amounts are ceilings, rather than guaranteed raises. No budget vote was taken at the hearing; the board is reviewing public comments.
The next scheduled Town Board meeting is Wednesday, November 18, at 3 p.m., at Town Hall, 200 East Sunrise Highway, Lindenhurst. The Town’s Agenda Center lists the business scheduled for each meeting.
Sources: Newsday · Newsday: preliminary budget · News 12 · Official meeting listing
Courts · West Babylon
Twelve-year sentence in the killing of West Babylon teen Liam Delemo
Aiden Zachary, 18, of Syosset, was sentenced November 4 to 12 years in prison for killing Liam Delemo, 15, of West Babylon. Zachary pleaded guilty in October to first-degree manslaughter, according to prosecutors cited by Greater Long Island.
The stabbing occurred around 10 p.m. at a Carlton Road house party in November 2025. About 100 teenagers were at the party. Prosecutors said Zachary and two friends arrived without an invitation and were asked to leave; an altercation followed, and Zachary stabbed Delemo in the abdomen and arm.
Delemo was taken to Good Samaritan University Hospital in West Islip, where he was pronounced dead. Zachary was arrested six days later and initially charged with second-degree murder. Acting Supreme Court Justice Karen Kerr imposed the sentence following the manslaughter plea.
Sources: Greater Long Island · News 12
Arts · North Babylon
North Babylon’s Robert Arleo brings his musical to the Tilles Center
North Babylon attorney and songwriter Robert Arleo will stage Love Stories: Neat or On the Rocks on Saturday, November 14, at 7 p.m. in the Krasnoff Theater at LIU Post’s Tilles Center, 720 Northern Boulevard, Brookville. The venue rescheduled the performance from September because of severe weather.
The musical is built around 12 scenes set in a fictional bar called Hadleys. Characters recount relationships to the bartenders, then perform an original Arleo song connected to their story. The subjects include dating, marriage, separation and unrequited love.
Arleo worked on the show while practicing law. He told Newsday that reconnecting with a former North Babylon High School classmate at a reunion at Belmont Lake State Park helped inspire the song “Train Tracks.” The production was performed at the Woodstock Playhouse in June.
Performance details and tickets are available from the Tilles Center.
Sources: Newsday · Tilles Center
ELECTION UPDATE · NOVEMBER 3
Where the unofficial election count stands
The State Board of Elections’ November 6 update, timestamped 10:12 p.m., showed Kathy Hochul and Adrienne Adams ahead statewide with 59.22% in the governor/lieutenant-governor contest, against 39.56% for Bruce Blakeman and Todd Hood.
In the 2nd Congressional District, Andrew Garbarino led Patrick Halpin by 124,271 votes to 118,680, with 521 of 527 election districts reporting. These are district-wide figures, not a Town of Babylon vote breakdown.
These results are unofficial and incomplete. Remaining ballots and certification can change the totals. View the State Board’s current returns and Suffolk County’s results and certification updates.
Public Safety · Wheatley Heights
Wyandanch man wounded in shooting outside a Wheatley Heights home
A 40-year-old Wyandanch man was shot in the arm while sitting in a parked car outside 17 Locust Avenue in Wheatley Heights at about 10:20 a.m. Friday, November 6, Suffolk County police said.
The victim was in the driver’s seat of a 2014 Toyota Prius when another vehicle pulled alongside. Someone fired multiple shots before the vehicle fled. The man was taken to Good Samaritan University Hospital in West Islip with serious but non-life-threatening injuries.
First Squad detectives are investigating. Anyone with information can call 631-854-8152 or Suffolk County Crime Stoppers at 1-800-220-TIPS.
Sources: Suffolk County Police · Newsday
Courts · Wyandanch
Wyandanch teen indicted in Bellport LIRR shooting that injured two people
Jahmez Cureton, 19, of Wyandanch, was arraigned November 5 on an indictment charging second-degree attempted murder, first-degree attempted assault and other felonies in an October shooting at the Bellport LIRR station, prosecutors said.
Prosecutors allege Cureton and companions followed a perceived gang rival off an eastbound train around 2:25 a.m. October 9. Cureton allegedly fired a shot that passed through the intended target’s shoulder and struck a passenger who remained aboard the train. Both wounded men were treated at a hospital and released.
MTA police arrested Cureton at the Deer Park LIRR station on October 13. Supreme Court Justice Steven Pilewski ordered him held without bail. His next court appearance is December 10; prosecutors said he faces up to 25 years if convicted of the top charge.
Two alleged accomplices also face attempted-murder charges. The charges are allegations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty.
Sources: Greater Long Island
Courts · Lindenhurst
Lindenhurst man receives seven to 15 years for fatal Freeport DWI crash
Bryan Mizhirumbay, 24, of Lindenhurst, was sentenced November 2 to seven to 15 years in prison for the crash that killed Craig White, 55, in Freeport. Judge Caryn Fink imposed the sentence after Mizhirumbay’s August 12 guilty plea to aggravated vehicular homicide, second-degree manslaughter, second-degree assault and aggravated driving while intoxicated.
The crash occurred about 11:07 p.m. September 3, 2025, at Atlantic Avenue and South Long Beach Avenue. White was driving home from his job at AHRC Nassau, which serves people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Prosecutors said Mizhirumbay’s vehicle was traveling about 106 mph three seconds before the collision. He ran a red light and struck the driver’s side of White’s car. Blood drawn about an hour later showed a 0.18% blood-alcohol concentration, compared with the legal limit of 0.08%.
Nassau prosecutors had requested a sentence of seven to 18 years. White’s family attended the sentencing and his daughter delivered a victim-impact statement.
Sources: News 12 · Greater Long Island
Town Government · Town of Babylon
Senior-bus drivers’ contract raises hourly pay and expands paid leave
A new agreement between the Town of Babylon and ATU Local 1181-1061 raises pay for nearly 30 part-time senior-bus drivers from $17.41 to $20 an hour. The contract covers September 5, 2026, through December 31, 2029, and provides further $1-per-hour increases in subsequent contract years.
Drivers’ annual personal days and sick days each increase from one to two. The agreement also replaces regular holiday pay with time-and-a-half for the eight holidays they may work. The drivers transport residents to the Town’s four senior centers, stores, medical appointments and other trips.
The Town Board approved the agreement on October 7. Union members approved it 18–0, union president Tomas Fret told Newsday. He said members had sought a $25 starting hourly rate; the final agreement is a three-year pact rather than the five years initially sought by the Town.
Sources: Newsday · Town Board resolution 673
Public Safety · Copiague
Copiague motorcyclist seriously injured on Montauk Highway
Jonathan Villalobos-Rossell, 20, of Copiague, was seriously injured in a motorcycle crash on Montauk Highway near South Great Neck Road on Tuesday afternoon, November 3, Suffolk County police said.
Villalobos-Rossell was riding a 2026 Kawasaki eastbound when he lost control, left the roadway and struck a curb and telephone pole. He was taken to Good Samaritan University Hospital in West Islip for treatment.
Police impounded the motorcycle for a safety check. First Squad detectives are investigating and ask anyone with information to call 631-854-8152.
Sports · North Babylon
North Babylon’s 35–25 win secures the No. 3 seed
North Babylon defeated Newfield 35–25 on October 31 in the final game of the Suffolk Division II regular season. The victory secured the Bulldogs the No. 3 playoff seed and a home playoff game.
Jack Miller, TJ Shaw and Chandler Como combined for 371 rushing yards and five touchdowns, according to Newsday. Section XI posts the official playoff schedule and results.
Sources: Newsday · Newsday photo gallery
Local Business · Babylon Village
Babylon Village Farmers Market’s indoor season starts Sunday in Bay Shore
The Babylon Village Farmers Market starts its indoor season Sunday, November 8, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Great South Bay Brewery, 25 Drexel Drive, Bay Shore. The market normally operates outdoors by the Babylon Village gazebo on West Main Street.
Organizer Long Island Farmers Markets lists the next indoor dates as November 29, December 6 and December 20. Its winter calendar continues with January 10 and 24, and February 7 and 21, at the same brewery location and hours.
The market’s offerings include produce, artisan breads, baked goods, prepared foods, flowers and handcrafted gifts, according to the announcement reported by News 12. The organizer’s calendar has the current dates and market updates.
Sources: News 12 · Long Island Farmers Markets
Quick Hits
A stranded dolphin found in Babylon was euthanized. The New York Marine Rescue Center got the call around 3 p.m.; the animal was in poor health. News 12
Greybarn Amityville secures $154.25 million in refinancing. Rechler Equity Partners refinanced the existing mixed-use property at 805 Broadway. JLL arranged the loan through PCCP, LLC. The financing covers 335 apartments—269 market-rate and 66 workforce units—plus 37,737 square feet of ground-floor retail, including Starbucks and True North Urgent Care. Rechler developed the property in three phases between 2016 and 2020. Long Island Business News · JLL announcement via Yield Pro
Small Business Season™ · Babylon Local
Meet Babylon’s businesses — and put yours on the map
Our Small Business Season magazine feature introduces the Town of Babylon’s Business Class of 2026, with profiles of local shops, restaurants and makers.
Do you serve the Town of Babylon area? Are you rated 4 stars or above on Google? Yes to both? You belong on Babylon Local. An ICON Listing adds an enhanced business profile with photos, business hours, Google reviews and map, events, and local visibility tools. No Google profile yet? Reach out anyway — we’re happy to help you get one set up.
Coming up around Babylon: make a plan for the weekend
A potato festival, a tree lighting and a turkey trot are among the picks in our November 6–8 events guide.
Remembering our neighbors
Our condolences to the families and friends of neighbors we lost this week.
Joanne M. Riha, North Babylon
Charles Wreckter, Jr., Deer Park
Roberta Morales, Babylon
Edward August Foisset Jr., West Babylon
What we are watching next
- Wednesday, November 18, 3 p.m.: the next scheduled Town Board meeting. Check the agenda for action on the proposed 2027 budget and any separate salary resolutions.
- The November 8 start of the farmers market’s indoor season in Bay Shore, and its subsequent twice-monthly dates.
- Robert Arleo’s musical at the Krasnoff Theater on November 14, at 7 p.m.
- Official election-count updates and certification; the figures above remain provisional.
- North Babylon’s playoff schedule and results through Section XI’s official athletics listings.
ARE YOU A BABYLON LOCAL ICON?
Do you serve the Town of Babylon area? Are you rated 4 stars or above on Google? Yes to both and you belong on Babylon Local. No Google profile yet? Reach out anyway — happy to help you set one up.
An ICON Listing gives your business an enhanced profile with photos, Google reviews and map, hours, events and promotional tools. See the current ICON offer, included services and signup details.
Explore the Babylon Local network
- Events: Events Around the Town of Babylon This Weekend — local outings, live music and family plans.
- News: Babylon Local News — the Weekend Briefing — weekly reporting from across the Town of Babylon.
- Magazine: Small Business Season Is Here. Meet the Town of Babylon’s Business Class of 2026. — the latest feature on BabylonLocal.net, introducing local businesses in the Class of 2026.
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