Plan B

By Bob Quinn
MONROE — Some Monroe homeowners seeking to join the Kiryas Joel community are developing a petition to form a brand new village as their plan B if their 507-acre annexation application remains stalled at the state level.

The municipality would be called Village of Glilos Kiryas Joel. A translation of Glilos is "in the vicinity of," according to documents obtained by The Photo News.

According to state law, forming a new village is not subject to a vote by the town board, nor is it subject to state environmental review. What is necessary is a referendum of the residents residing within the proposed area.

In most ways, it would be similar to the creation of the Villages of South Blooming Grove in the town of Blooming Grove and the Village of Woodbury, which includes of the Town of Woodbury with the exception of that part of the Village of Harriman which lies within Woodbury.

Five hundred residents are required to form a new village. According to the documents, a census will be conducted within the proposed 1,140 acre area.

The petition to form the new village is expected to be completed within the next three months if the original 507-acre annexation application remains stalled.

After the incorporation of the Village of Glilos Kiryas Joel, the annexation process would be different: The lands from the new village could be annexed into Kiryas Joel without any input from the Town of Monroe, according to the documents.

Reaction
Monroe Supervisor Harley E. Doles III called the proposal “sweeping in its impact.”

John Allegro, speaking on behalf of United Monroe, which is opposed to the annexation proposal, went even further:

“The threat of a Village of Glilos Kiryas Joel stretches far beyond the proposed annexations - more than 1,100 acres, including a large area south of Route 17,” Allegro wrote in an email exchange with The Photo News. “This would have greater impacts on zoning and the environment than annexation, which we still oppose. This latest rumor shows just how far the Kiryas Joel Power Elite (KJPE) will go to fulfill their desires to make land deals that will fund the proposed pipeline and line their pockets.

“United Monroe is steadfast in its defense of our environment and the right of our communities to peacefully enjoy the rural beauty that makes up the character of our region,” he added. “We welcome our friends in Kiryas Joel who disagree with the KJPE’s tactics to join us.”

Allegro, whose family and neighbors live within the boundaries of this rumored village, added: “Any proposal to incorporate a new village will be examined by our attorneys with the greatest scrutiny.”