Name calling in Monroe

MONROE - B.V. Builders, Inc. of New Hampton, the developers of Prestwick Gardens, formally named Woodroe Estates, a 60-lot subdivision on Orange Turnpike, is seeking a judgment against the Village of Monroe and Walter C. Koury, the commissioner of the Orange County Department of Emergency Services, over a disagreement with the development’s official street names. According to papers filed with the state Supreme Court on Feb. 20, the village’s planning department officially named the five streets differently than those names assigned by B.V. Builders and communicated the names to the Department of Emergency Services under Orange County’s 911 emergency communications program. The builder is challenging the name change and claims “the internal road and streets in the Subdivision are private ways and not owned or maintained by the village and not opened to the general public.” However, the charges do not mention that the streets will be dedicated to the Village of Monroe and become an integral part of the community. The original street names that were used in a real estate sales campaign represent names prominent in the world of golfing: Prestwick Drive, Maidstone Lane, Loch Lomond Court, Callaway Drive and Gleneagles Court. At the Nov. 15, 2005, Village Board meeting, village trustees approved the naming of the streets after Monroe residents who lost their lives in the World Trade Center tragedy on September 11, 2001. The names chosen were: • Asher Court for Michael Asher, who worked for Cantor Fitzgerald. He was 53. • Barnes Drive for Matthew Barnes, FDNY Ladder Company 25. He was 37. • Dowd Court for Thomas Dowd, who worked for Cantor Fitzgerald. He was 37. • Marino Drive for Kenneth J. Marino, FDNY Rescue 1. He was 40. • Mazzella Drive for Edward Mazzella , Jr. He worked for Cantor Fitzgerald. He was 62. The case was adjourned to March 7.