Rich Schaffer was most recently elected as Babylon Town Supervisor in November 2017. No stranger to leading the Town, he previously served 5 terms as Supervisor, from 1992 to 2001 and was appointed to the position by the Babylon Town Board in a unanimous vote in January of 2012. His return to the position came as a result of a vacant seat left when Steve Bellone, who served from 2002 to 2011, was elected to the office Suffolk County Executive in 2011. Since becoming Supervisor again, Rich has won re-election in both 2012, 2013 and 2017 by over 60%. 

First sworn in as Babylon Town Supervisor on his 29th birthday in 1992, the youngest person to serve as chief executive in the town’s history, Rich cut the number of administrative jobs in his administration as well as the perks common to “political appointees”, including town cars and benefits for part-time special board members. To serve as an example and set the tone for his administration, he declined the use of a town vehicle and reduced his salary by five percent. During his service in Babylon, he returned more than $21,000 of his wages to the town treasury. 

In his current tenure as Supervisor, Rich’s top priorities remain the same: protecting taxpayers and overseeing an efficient and productive government. Rich has been committed to continuing the long-term initiatives of the Bellone Administration, including the landmark community and economic revitalization initiatives, parks and recreation facility improvements, as well as the groundbreaking environmental program, Long Island Green Homes.
 
In addition, with the southern shore of the Town of Babylon being one of the most devastated areas following Superstorm Sandy, Supervisor Schaffer has made it his top priority to assist, guide, and advocate on behalf of every resident in recovery. Through an extensive outreach effort, in coordination with the Town’s three village governments, the Town of Babylon will continue to work with each resident on their individual needs. 

Mr. Schaffer is a homeowner in North Babylon and has served as Chairman of the Suffolk County Democratic Committee since September of 2000.