TOWN OF MONROE – Supervisor Harley Doles would like to see the Town of Monroe purchase the Eitz Chaim synagogue on Orange Turnpike and convert it into a multi-purpose facility including a town hall.
The congregation, which has dwindled, would like to sell the relatively new building. Doles said it would cost the town between $2.3 million and $2.5 million, which it would bond.
He has a vision for the facility, which is multi-faceted.
“We have the ability to do so many things including an integrated and affordable housing program which would allow for both disabled vets and disabled senior citizens as well as workforce housing being provided a place to live in the community,” Doles said. “It is something the Town of Monroe sorely needs and most communities in the United States needs as well.”
That housing could be built on land adjacent to the synagogue building, which Doles said in addition to town hall, could be used for town court and a recreation center.
Before any final determination is made about the future of the building and property, he said the town board wants input from the community.
