Woodbury, NY – Between 75 and 100 people attended a meeting sponsored by Citizens for the Preservation of Woodbury to discuss ways to resist the proposed connection to the Catskill Aqueduct by the Kiryas Joel community.

The plan for the water pipeline has been in litigation by the county for environmental reasons. However, the county recently suspended the suit. Speakers at the meeting accused County Executive Edward A. Diana of cutting a deal with the Village of Kiryas Joel.

The burgeoning growth rate of the Village of Kiryas Joel, the fastest growing community in the state, has continually exceeded the capacity of the village’s existing wells. The implementation of the new pipeline will provide a large boost to the community’s water needs.

However, the issue of additional population growth and increased water usage would also create a much larger volume of sewage to be treated, which has been a major point of contention with the plan.

The panel of speakers at the meeting included Patricia McMullin from State Assemblywoman Annie Rabbitt’s office; County Legislator Roxanne Donnery; Harriman Mayor Stephen H. Welle; Citizens for the Preservation of Woodbury Chairman Ralph Caruso; Town of Woodbury Supervisor John Burke; Assemblywoman, Nancy Calhoun; and County Legislator Kevin W. Hines.

In addition to the pipeline, the management of the Harriman Waste Water Treatment Plant and the county’s draft water master plan amendment received much criticism from both the panel and speakers from the audience.

In regard to the pipeline Burke said not enough research was done. He questioned the population figures in the master plan. “What is going to happen when the pipeline is installed?” he asked. “The waste water treatment plant will expand, expand to where?”

He complained that Kiryas Joel does not submit any plans to the county for review. “If the local municipalities have final control, why not submit (plans) to the county?”

Welle said the Village of Harriman was told in the past the waste water treatment plant couldn’t expand “so I don’t know where the growth is going to go.”

In regard to the continuing odor that emanates from the plant, he asked: “You have a problem now with the plant so why are you going to add to it?”

Donnery was concerned with the loss of home rule, stating “Not listening to local municipalities is going to cause huge problems.”

In regard to financing the pipeline Hines said, “There’s some rumors out there that Senator Charles Schumer has $20 million of (federal funds) to pay for the pipeline.”

Speakers from the audience were concerned with and questioned the ability of the Ramapo River to receive the increase in effluent that would originate from the Harriman Plant if the pipeline is built.

(Source: Straus News)