ALBANY – Freshman State Assemblyman Karl Brabenec (R, Deerpark) has introduced legislation that would give the Orange County Legislature the final say in the annexation of land from one municipality to another.

The bill, aimed at the proposed annexation of more than 500 acres of land in the Town of Monroe into the Village of Kiryas Joel, is being sponsored in the Senate by William Larkin (R, Cornwall-on-Hudson).

County Executive Steven Neuhaus is in support of the measure.

“What you are looking at in Monroe, it is very overwhelming with infrastructure needs, so what we are looking at right now is a stop-gap measure that the legislature could come in and say, ‘this isn’t in the best interest; we don’t agree with this,’ or they can also give their blessing,” Neuhaus said. “It’s one step that I believe should be in the annexation process that is not there now.”

County Legislature Chairman Stephen Brescia supports the state proposal.

“Large scale annexations are issues of county significance,” Brescia said. “Those issues relate to sewer, water, traffic, parks, and many other areas, which can impact our budget. It only makes sense that the county legislature, therefore, should have a role here.”