Assembly Resolution No. 650

BY: M. of A. Jean-Pierre

COMMEMORATING the 150th Anniversary of the Town of
Babylon, New York

WHEREAS, It is the intent of this Legislative Body to honor and
commemorate the distinguished histories of the communities which
comprise the noble body of this great Empire State; and

WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to
commemorate the 150th Anniversary of the Town of Babylon, in Suffolk
County, New York; and

WHEREAS, The Town of Babylon is located approximately 30 miles east
of Manhattan, New York, and is considered a suburban community with the
benefit of being located along the beautiful shorelines of the Great
South Bay; the Town is positioned in geographic proximity to the beating
heart of New York City and in a lively area that provides to its
citizens a variety of opportunities; and

WHEREAS, As of the 2020 census, 218,223 citizens live in the Town of
Babylon; and

WHEREAS, The very first settler in the territory later to be known
as the Town of Babylon was Captain Jacob Conklin, who arrived in 1710,
and built the first home in the area now known as Wheatley Heights; he
served the pirate Captain Kidd and earned a large sum of money he
decided to invest in lands; and

WHEREAS, Captain Jacob Conklin's son Nathaniel, a patriot serving in
the Revolutionary War, named the location Babylon in 1803; the name
caught on quickly and in 1830, the Federal Government provided official
recognition by changing the name of the post office from Huntington
South to Babylon; and

WHEREAS, Huntington South started expanding and flourishing, and
disagreements arose between the two areas of the cities, North and
South; a road project in the Village of Huntington was the final straw,
and on January 27, 1872, a referendum was held, and the voters supported
a two-town division; and

WHEREAS, A commission was established, and new boundaries were drawn
under the suggestions and supervision of James T. Morris of Amityville,
New York; the bill was introduced to the New York State Legislature on
February 17, 1872, and approved on March 13, 1872; and

WHEREAS, A new government was formed and candidates for public
office were nominated, and Elbert Carll became the first Supervisor of
the Town of Babylon after winning a close election; and

WHEREAS, On April 2, 1878, the official seal was authorized, an
American eagle representing the nation surrounded by symbols that
characterize the main industry of the new town; the seal has a blue
center surrounded by an outer circle of white; and


WHEREAS, At the first Town meeting, five resolutions were approved,
the first of which was an appropriation of $1,500 to support the poor,
forever engraving the Town's willingness to help those in need; and

WHEREAS, The construction of a railroad brought an influx of people
to Babylon in 1842, when it reached Deer Park, and again in 1867, when
it came directly into Babylon Village, and the arrival of the automobile
after the turn of the 20th Century caused a major impact on Town
government; and

WHEREAS, The taxpayers in 1917, voted 667 to 462 on proposition 18
to erect a Town House or, as it would later come to be called, a "Town
Hall" which would be located in the Village of Babylon; and

WHEREAS, On November 6, 1918, the first meeting for the Town Board
took place in the new Town Hall, which became the center for the town
business until the increase in staff required the need of a new
structure; and

WHEREAS, Today, under the brilliant leadership of Supervisor Rich
Schaffer, the Town of Babylon stays true to its mission of being a home
for work, community, and play, and a prosperous and welcoming town for
its residents; and

WHEREAS, Remaining fruitful over the ebb and flow of decades of
growth and change, the Town of Babylon continues its commitment to
enhancing the quality of life of its citizens, ensuring a positive
business, institutional and educational climate, and providing all
essential services; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commemorate the 150th Anniversary of the Town of Babylon, recognizing
the significance of the role it continues to play in the life of the
community of the State of New York; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to Rich Schaffer, Supervisor, Town of Babylon.