Oyster Bay owes $5 million in fees for Bethpage mosque lawsuit, town records show

The Town of Oyster Bay is obligated to pay more than $5 million in legal fees to Muslims on Long Island following the resolution of a federal lawsuit concerning the expansion of the Masjid Al-Baqi mosque in Bethpage. An arbitration decision determined the town’s liability at $5,029,199, with the town responsible for nearly $2.53 million after its insurance covers $2.5 million. The lawsuit stemmed from the town’s initial denial of the mosque’s application to triple in size, citing traffic concerns.

The town initially agreed to a settlement in August, but rescinded it days later, leading to further contention. The final settlement, reached in October, allows for a scaled-back expansion to 9,950 square feet with a maximum occupancy of 295 people, requiring the mosque to fund safety improvements like enhanced crosswalks and crossing guards.

The legal battle also revealed disputes over parking requirements for religious facilities, with the Department of Justice siding with the mosque, arguing the town’s regulations were less favorable to religious institutions. The town incurred significant legal fees throughout the process, totaling $387,000 between January and August, and ultimately authorized the payment during a special meeting with a 7-0 vote, drawing funds from the town’s general fund.

(Source：Newsday)