United Monroe attorneys urge DEC to deny KJ lead agency status

MONROE — United Monroe’s attorneys are urging state officials to deny Kiryas Joel's request to be lead agency in the environmental study for its proposed 507-acre annexation request, citing its poor record on open government and lack of compliance with environmental regulations as reasons why the request should be denied.

“The village’s repeated and serious violations of environmental laws, and its apparent disinclination to involve the public in the public review process or otherwise conduct its affairs in an open and transparent manner, raise legitimate concerns about the Village’s abilities to comprehensively the impacts of the proposed annexation and to provide the most through environmental assessment of the proposed annexation,” wrote attorney Daniel Richmond.

Supporting documents
With more than 60 supporting documents attached to its letter to the DEC, United Monroe officials are hopeful to sway state officials from selecting the village, although they understand the only two lead agency options are either village or the Town of Monroe.

“We’ve been advised that the DEC will only grant lead agency status to the Town of Monroe or the Village of KJ,” said Emily Convers, who heads United Monroe. “We’d like ideally for the DEC to make an exception because of this unique scenario in Monroe where half of the town is not being represented by the leadership and the decision makers in this process do not have the town’s best interest in mind at all.”

The DEC told the town and village officials this week to expect a decision from Commissioner Joe Martens by May 2.

“I’m hoping that the DEC will take all of these letters and concerns very seriously,” said Convers. “Not only our letter, but letters from Senator Larkin and Assemblymen Skoufis in addition to all the calls and emails left by those opposing KJ as lead agency.”

While the letter requests KJ not be named lead agency, it also does not request that the Town of Monroe be named lead agency.

Convers was hopeful the DEC would think creatively when determining lead agency status.

Convers hoped the DEC would “think outside the box and come up with a better solution than the two municipalities in question.”

She added: “I believe the DEC understands the gravity of the situation. They’ve been contacted by elected officials and many individuals. I have no doubt they’ve been inundated.”

In the meantime, the group continues to prepare for the eventual joint public hearing that is required to take place once lead agency status is determined.

“We just wait and in the meantime we prepare ourselves for the joint public hearing,” Convers said. “Notice has to be given. I encourage everyone to pick up the phone to call or email the DEC with their concerns about lead agency status.”

Find out more
To read the details of United Monroe’s letter to the DEC, visit the group’s Facebook page.

- Nancy Kriz