GOSHEN – The Village of Kiryas Joel may proceed with the annexation
of 164 acres of land outside the village, State Supreme Court Justice
Gretchen Walsh ruled. In her decision dated October 11, the judge found
no reason to block the annexation that was previously approved by the
Village of Kiryas Joel and the Town of Monroe.
The annexation had been challenged by a number of local municipalities
and other preservation and community groups.
The judge left a decision on the proposal to annex 507 acres of and adjacent
to the village up to the Appellate Division of State Supreme Court.
Emily Convers, a director of the non-profit Preserve Hudson Valley group,
which is opposed to both annexation proposals, said the group is considering
an appeal of 164-acre annexation.
She said all of the petitioners feel the ruling was improper given the
“deficient” environmental review.
“They claim there would be no impact whatsoever when we are all
aware that high density housing would be built on the acreage,”
she said. “You cannot deny the impact of 50,000 additional people
living in several hundred acres.”
Assemblyman James Skoufis, an opponent of the annexation, said, “For
years, recently retired Supreme Court Justice Francis Nicolai almost always
ruled in favor of the Village of Kiryas Joel when a case was before him.
Fortunately, the Court of Appeals has demonstrated far better objectivity
on matters involving KJ.”
After this new ruling, the assemblyman said, “it appears the Hudson
Valley has a new Judge Nicolai.” Skoufis, a Democrat, said the decision
“should be appealed immediately.”
Skoufis’ opponent in the November election, republican Colin Schmitt,
said the court decision was “yet another government failure to protect
us from Kiryas Joel’s unchecked and uncontrolled growth.”
After this new ruling, the assemblyman said, “it appears the Hudson
Valley has a new Judge Nicolai.” Skoufis said the decision “should
be appealed immediately.”
County Executive Steven Neuhaus also believes the court ruling was wrong.
“I said it when it was proposed and still believe it, the annexation
is not in the overall public interest, and I think the vast majority who
live in Orange County feel the same way.”
The judge’s decision was made public on Yom Kippur, the holiest
day of the Jewish calendar. Leadership of the Village of Kiryas Joel could
not be reached for comment.
Convers said many of those who support Preserve Hudson Valley’s
position believe the judicial system is corrupt given the many lawsuit
victories by the village.
