Politics & Government

Babylon Residents Upset with Noisy Yacht Club Neighbor

A group of neighbors came out in opposition of the Long Island Yacht Club's new bar proposal.

Babylon Village residents upset with their noisy next-door neighbors came out to a public hearing held at Babylon Village Hall last week, listing their complaints against events held and guests at the Long Island Yacht Club in the past few years.

Residents listed continuous noise from party guests going well past 1 a.m., yachts docked overnight with guests on-board and lack of action taken by the yacht club as their major complaints to the board.

"I've been over to ask to add security when party is over to have people go inside," said Craig Fusco, who said he lives at 19 Waters Edge Court. "My bedroom faces the yacht club, 30 feet above ground. When people are outside yelling, partying its like they're on the roof. My wife made me get out of bed to yell at them once."

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Fusco added: "1 a.m. on a weekend is reasonable, but when the sun's coming up... and they're still there, it's not."

"I'm a firm believer in good fences make good neighbors," noted Carmine Galletta, who lives at 34 Waters Edge Court. He said the Yacht Club has become a place where boats arrive early in the day and then stay all night, with loud parties going well past midnight. "Respect where we live... We have to adhere to our laws, why shouldn't they?"

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The public hearing was held on March 26 at Babylon Village Hall to decide whether to green light an addition to the Long Island Yacht Club's property – a roughly 400 square foot food and beverage bar, replacing the club's separate bar and snack area heavily damaged by Hurricane Sandy in October.

About ten residents spoke during the hearing, most noting their opposition to the planned addition in fear it would bring even more parties to the club and, therefore, more noise. Residents also made mention of early morning construction work, including jackhammers, at the yacht club. The area surrounding and including the yacht club was heavily impacted and damaged by the flooding storm surge of Hurricane Sandy in October.

Yacht Club representatives at the meeting told the neighbors they would try to keep the noise levels down at the facility and open further conversation between the two sides to help keep the area peaceful.

"It'll take a village to assist and remind the [yacht club] members of their civic duty," noted project architect Michael Russo.

Mayor Ralph Scordino noted to residents to give him a call if noise problems or other potential violations were taking place at the facility.

"If I don't hear from residents, I can't do anything," Scordino noted. "Give me a call – anytime. I'll be there... we can always issue summons."

Following the hearing, the village board, consisting of Scordino and trustees Kevin Muldowney and Tony Davida on this evening, reserved decision on the project pending further review.


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