At its first meeting of the New Year, Babylon Town officials appointed members of is numerous boards and committees, set salaries, and authorized raises for its elected officials. The salary hikes represent the first in 6 years for the Town Supervisor and the first in eight years for the Town Council members, Town Clerk and Receiver of Taxes.

Supervisor Steve Bellone’s salary went from $85,177 to $98,676. That represents an increase of $13,499 or 11.5 percent. Broken down over the six years, it represents an annual increase of 1.9 percent.

Council salaries for Ellen McVeety, Dave Bishop, Carol Quirk and Lindsay Henry went from $43,400 to $52,900, an increase of $9,500 or approximately a four percent increase.

The salaries for Town Clerk Janice Tinsley Colbert and Receiver of Taxes Corinne DiSomma went from $62,500 to $67,500, a $5,000 increase or 8 percent over eight years. That breaks down to one percent increase each year since the last raise was approved by the Town Board.

“What we attempted to do was to bring these salaries closer to those of other neighboring towns,” said Bellone. “We are still below what other towns make but we want to be competitive so that we continue to attract the kind of quality people we need in government.”

Bellone said that Babylon’s salaries for elected and appointed officials continues to be the lowest of neighboring towns.

In other news,

the Town Board approved appointments. Named as chairperson to the Board of Assessment Review was Anthony Almo at an annual salary of $9,750. His term expires September 30, 2008. Board members receive an annual salary of $8,750.

Mike Johnson was tapped as chairperson of the Accessory Apartment Review Board with a term expiring December 31, 2006. His salary was set at $8,500. Board members receive an annual salary of $6,500.

Zoning Board of Appeals Chairman Thomas Young has a term that expires December 31, 2020 and received an annual salary of $14,300. His vice Chair Thomas Weinschenk received a salary of $12,600 a year through December 31, 2010 and board members received $11,600 a year for serving.

Planning board members receive $8,500 a year while its chairperson Patricia McMahon receives $10,500 annually. Her term expired December 31, 2008.

authorized the supervisor to execute an agreement with Babylon Cemetery Association for the maintenance of an abandoned cemetery;

designated the Amityville Record and Babylon Beacon as one of the official newspapers for the Town;

authorized the execution of a rental agreement between William Sims and the Town for a boathouse on Neguntatogue Creek.