Residents press town for action on chronic neighborhood flooding during public comments

At the Oct. 9 Town of Babylon meeting, residents used the open public-comment period to press the board for action on chronic flooding in multiple neighborhoods.

Anthony Sarabello of 274 West Riviera Drive in Lindenhurst told the board five or six neighbors are repeatedly flooded because surrounding roads have been raised, creating a valley that leaves 3–5 inches of standing water that cannot discharge through an 18-inch pipe. He said the town had inspected the site and that staff told him the persistent water was linked to a blocked drain and pending DEC approval for a pipe extension. The supervisor said the town would check with engineers, arrange for removal of an out-of-compliance boat and noted that summonses were issued for two sheds; a date in district court would follow for enforcement actions.

Eleanor ("Ellie") Albert of Hadley Drive described flooding dating to 1977 and said a severe rain event on Aug. 8 recently inundated her home. She said the town installed four large drains on Yukon Court this Monday but that a pipe running through her property—closed previously under a lawsuit—appeared to have been reopened without notice. Albert said she has documentation and photographs and that she already has an appointment with the town engineer; the supervisor said Town Attorney Joe Wilson would review the litigation record and coordinate with the engineer and DPW.

Town officials committed to additional follow-up: engineers will revisit the physical drainage issues, the town attorney will check the earlier court suit and easement terms, and town crews will work through enforcement and removal processes described in the public comments. Residents asked for timelier remediation; the transcript does not show a definitive timetable beyond scheduled engineering and attorney follow-ups.