The Bay Shore Chamber of Commerce held its third meeting of the year at 7 p.m. on Sept. 24 at the Bay Shore-Brightwaters Public Library.

Chamber of Commerce president Donna Perricone announced that this will be her last year as president after serving the community for 27 years.

“It has been a wonderful experience for me, always,” Perricone said.

Perricone introduced Edward Fraser as her successor.

“I am so pleased and honored to be able to tell you who is stepping forward to take my place, and one of the greatest people we have in Bay Shore,” Perricone said as she introduced Fraser. “He [Fraser] is one of the finest human beings; he’s one of the hardest workers and fortunately for us, he loves Bay Shore as much as we do.”

Fraser was born and raised in Bay Shore and has been on Perricone’s board for about 10 years. Taking over as president of the chamber, Fraser said he has a great team on his side.

“I’m very, very proud to serve Bay Shore and to serve on the chamber.” Fraser said. “We have great people that surround us and we have great connections with people throughout the community that can help us get a lot of things done.”

Additionally, the Bay Shore-Brightwaters Public Library announced that it was a very successful summer for the library. Over 40 local businesses contributed gift cards and other items, which were raffled throughout the summer.

The library is once again partnering with Stony Brook University to help provide social services to those in need. Appointments can be made by contacting the library or sending an email to socialworker@bsbwlibrary.org

A date was also announced for Bay Shore’s Haunted Halloween Festival. The event will take place on Oct. 19 on Main Street from 4 until 8:30 p.m. The Bay Shore Beautification Society will host its final Haunted Garden this year from 6:30 until 8:30 p.m.

The Town of Islip Office of Economic Development announced grant funding for small businesses and nonprofits that were affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. The Keep Islip Thriving program will distribute $4 million in $10,000 grants, for a total of 400 grants.

A semi-solution was made regarding the parking meters located throughout Bay Shore’s parking lots. A parking permit will now be available for Town of Islip residents. However, the permit is only for lots north and south of Main Street.

The year-long permits will cost residents $35, and $20 for seniors and veterans. There is no overnight parking allowed and it is not valid on Main Street, Bay Shore railroad, Bay Shore Marina or Maple Avenue dock.

Toward the end of the meeting, locals and business owners took the opportunity to voice their concerns about security and safety within the community, especially on Main Street. After a community meeting with the Third Precinct on Sept. 3, many said there has been little to no change and stated that they want an increase in police presence in order to decrease and deter crime.

John Valdini, mayor of Brightwaters, spoke of an incident which included his wife and four minors, who physically and verbally harassed the couple after picking up their dinner on Main Street. They called 911 twice, yet no law enforcement arrived.

Jackie Sharlup, owner of Tula Kitchen on Main Street, said the lack of police presence has a negative impact on the community.

“All [this] bad stuff keeps happening because you guys aren’t present in the town,” Sharlup said.

Maria Negron, owner of Pride Embroidery on Main Street, had equipment stolen from her business by the same person in the last two weeks. Negron urged the community to continue to call law enforcement until something is done.

“I urge all of you to do the same, because if we continue to call the cops every time they steal a cup, every time they steal anything, eventually something has to happen,” Negron said.

The next meeting will be held at the Bay Shore-Brightwaters Public Library on Nov. 26 at 7 p.m.