Town of Babylon names first student representative; board adopts consensus agenda after public comments on seniors and road safety

The Town of Babylon Town Board unanimously appointed Hashmi as the town's first student representative and adopted the meeting's consensus resolution agenda at its Feb. 26 meeting, officials said.

The appointment was made by Supervisor Schaffer and seconded by Councilman Martinez; the board voted unanimously to confirm Hashmi, who will help craft the program and work with the town and local school superintendents. During public comment, Evangelist Atrell of Amityville raised requests for help with food and heating assistance for seniors on her block and reported speeding on New Highway near Walnut; town staff said they would refer the traffic concern to the Suffolk County Department of Public Works and notify County Legislator Rich Berg.

The student representative role is intended to give a direct voice to local students, the board said. Supervisor Schaffer moved to appoint Hashmi as the first student representative and said the new representative's initial task would be to "create the parameters for the program" and present the proposal to the town's superintendents, who meet monthly. The supervisor said Deer Park student Hashmi would serve as a pilot while the board asks each school district within the town to select a student representative for the next school year. "You'll be the pioneer of this student representative program," the supervisor said during the meeting.

Hashmi told the board the position "is beginning of something great, and good things lie ahead of us," and thanked the board and the superintendents for their support. The town indicated it will coordinate with Jim Cummings, identified at the meeting as the chair of the Babylon Town superintendents, on next steps.

During the public-comment portion of the meeting Evangelist Atrell said neighbors, including a resident she identified as Carlene at 22 Holt Street, were struggling with food and heating costs and asked whether the town had resources or referrals for seniors in need. "So is there anything to accommodate the seniors?" Atrell asked. Supervisor Schaffer responded that the town would collect contact information and have a staff member follow up directly to determine the resident's needs.

Atrell also described a speeding problem on New Highway near Walnut and asked the board to consider traffic calming measures such as rumble strips. The board said New Highway is a county road and that it would notify the Suffolk County Department of Public Works and alert Legislator Rich Berg and Commissioner Bartha about the request for rumble strips "between the railroad tracks and the intersection with Albany Avenue." The board noted that buses are required to stop at the nearby railroad crossing and that residents are concerned about speeding vehicles near homes and yards.

Earlier in the meeting the board accepted the consensus resolution agenda as presented by motion and vote. Town staff also entered into the record a written communication received from Tony Mignon of 886 County Line Road in Amityville; the communication was submitted for the official record but Mr. Mignon did not appear in person.

The board adjourned after approving the appointments and routine business.

Votes at a glance: - Motion to accept consensus resolution agenda as written: motion made and seconded; outcome: adopted (vote not specified in transcript beyond board acceptance). - Motion to appoint Hashmi as the first student representative: motion by Supervisor Schaffer; second by Councilman Martinez; outcome: approved unanimously (board recorded five ayes).