Babylon resident praises moratorium extension on battery storage and presses town about 377 Carl’s Path development

A resident asked the Town of Babylon Board on Jan. 29 about the status of a moratorium on large battery energy storage systems and raised concerns about a separate industrial project at 377 Carl’s Path.

Tammy Palmeri, a lifelong Deer Park resident, told the board she came to “thank the Town of Babylon” for putting “a moratorium on the BESS facilities that the state wants to put in all the towns on Long Island.” She asked what the status of the moratorium is.

Supervisor Schaffer responded that “we just extended it for an additional 6 months.” Schaffer and staff also said the town is “gathering information” and consulting with local fire departments and reviewing recent incidents in California, including the Moss Landing battery facility failure cited by speakers.

Palmeri asked specifically about 377 Carl’s Path, a site being developed by Thor Equities, and whether tenants might store or manufacture batteries there. Schaffer said any tenant securing uses that involve hazardous materials or batteries would have to return to the town for approvals and that the town’s fire marshal would be involved in assessing and approving such uses. The town said staff would not permit a tenant to proceed with storage of batteries without the necessary local approvals.

Town staff also offered to keep Palmeri informed. Chief of staff Tom Stay, who was identified in the meeting, was listed as the point of contact and was asked to make sure Palmeri received updates.

Why it matters: battery energy storage systems (BESS) have been the subject of heightened scrutiny following high-profile incidents elsewhere; residents in Babylon sought assurance the town is assessing safety and land-use implications before new installations occur.

What remains unclear from the meeting record: the transcript records Supervisor Schaffer saying the moratorium was extended six months, but it does not show the formal motion, ordinance language, or a vote on that extension in this meeting’s public record. The transcript also records some uncertainty in the exact end date (speakers referenced “May or June”); the town did not provide a precise calendar date during the remarks on Jan. 29.

The board said it is collecting more information from fire departments and other sources and will share updates with concerned residents.

Ending: Palmeri thanked the board for the extension and for offering to provide updates; no formal vote on a new ordinance text was recorded on the meeting transcript for this item.