Three new and two existing Town of Babylon officials took the Oath of Office before the January 2, 2018 board meeting at Town Hall in Lindenhurst. Supervisor Rich Schaffer and Deputy Supervisor Tony Martinez began their new terms after being re-elected in November. Councilman Anthony Manetta and Town Clerk Geraldine Compitello began their first terms in office following their victories. Councilman Terence McSweeney also began his first term in office after being appointed by Supervisor Schaffer to fill the seat left vacant by former Councilman Tom Donnelly. The appointment was unanimously approved by the Town Board at the beginning of the meeting.
Councilman Manetta is the former CEO and executive director of the Suffolk County Industrial Development Agency (IDA). There, he worked on economic development projects and community outreach. Councilman McSweeney is 14-year veteran of the Fire Department of New York (FDNY) and a volunteer firefighter in North Babylon. He has spent the past several years in different roles in his community, most recently as a special assistant to Supervisor Schaffer. Compitello, an Amityville native, worked in Supervisor Schaffer’s office as Deputy Chief of Staff since 2013. She has worked on special projects for the Town in that role, most recently the construction of a specialized respite park for individuals suffering from Alzheimer’s.
“Terry, Anthony and Gerry will all be great additions to the Town Board,” said Schaffer at the front of a crowded town board room. “When I started here, I was the youngest member of the Town Board. Now, I’m the oldest, so it will be great to add some new energy and ideas,” he added.
The mayors of the three villages within the Town of Babylon were on-hand to swear-in all five officials. Lindenhurst Village Mayor Michael Lavorata read the Oath of Office to Schaffer, Martinez and Manetta. Amityville Village Mayor Dennis Siry recited it with Compitello, and Babylon Village Mayor Ralph Scordino assisted McSweeney.
“Everything that we do has the residents’ best interests in mind. We work hard to serve the public as best as we can. Terry, Anthony and Gerry will help us continue to do that and I am excited to see what we can accomplish during this term,” said Martinez.
Councilwoman Jackie Gordon, now the senior Town Board member, was also on-hand to welcome her new colleagues. Outgoing members of the Town Board include former Councilmen Tom Donnelly and Lindsay Henry, as well as former Town Clerk Carol Quirk.
Photo (left to right): Jen Taus, Town Clerk’s Office Gerry Compitello; Jackie Gordon; Terry McSweeney; Rich Schaffer; Tony Martinez; Anthony Manetta; Joe Wilson, Town Attorney.
