North Babylon resident urges probe after unmarked personnel delivered code notice, court appearance

Paul Holt, a North Babylon resident, told the Town of Babylon Board on June 4 that unidentified people delivered a code-enforcement notice at his home and later showed up at his door without visible identification after a February hit-and-run damaged a chain-link fence.

Holt said he filed a police report after the collision in February and later received a violation letter alleging his fence was not maintained. He said he went to town offices seeking clarification, left a voicemail for the staff member listed on the letter and received no response; he later learned the staff member, Donna Damerico, had recently retired. Holt said unmarked visitors then arrived at his house, banged on his door so forcefully the door sustained a gash, and he was required to attend court in connection with the notice.

"Does the Town of Babylon issue ID badges to their employees?" Holt asked the board during the public-comment portion. Supervisor Schaffer replied, "Yes," and said his cellphone number is listed on the town website "for the specific reason of if anybody feels they cannot get an answer from a particular department, they can call my cell or text me." Schaffer told Holt he would have staff investigate the matter.

Holt described several attempts to get information: he said the violation notice arrived about a month after he filed the police report and that at one point he left a detailed message for the staff member listed on the notice. He also said the visitors who came to his home were wearing black T-shirts and did not present town identification or badges.

Supervisor Schaffer acknowledged the service gap and said he would ask a staff member "Joe" to investigate and to take Holt's specific information; Schaffer also asked Holt to speak with another staff member, identified in the meeting as Mr. Wilson, after the meeting so they could follow up. Schaffer further said the town would have someone inspect Holt's fence to determine whether the town could assist with repairs.

No board action or formal vote was taken on the matter during the meeting; Schaffer directed staff to investigate and report back to Holt.

Why it matters: Holt's account raises questions about the town's enforcement communications and the identification of personnel or contractors delivering notices to residents. Clear procedures for notifying residents and for staff identification affect trust in local code-enforcement processes and residents' ability to respond to alleged violations without confusion or property damage.