Kiryas Joel, NY - Water-Tank Plan Sparks Hot Debate

Kiryas Joel, Monroe, NY - No issue requiring agreement between the Orange County Legislature and the Village of Kiryas Joel is simple these days.

That's why the village's seemingly simple request to build a pair of water holding tanks on a defunct retreat would spark a half-hour debate and inspire a heated exchange between County Executive Ed Diana and Blooming Grove Supervisor Charlie Bohan. Diana pressed the panel to vote on the measure immediately.
But legislators, who have been sparring with Kiryas Joel since blocking its plans to tap the New York City Aqueduct in 2004, balked, and things got dicey when Diana said the three neighboring towns, Blooming Grove, Monroe and Woodbury, had been notified about the project. Bohan, who was sitting in the room, angrily denied the claim. Committee Chairman Frank Fornario, R-Blooming Grove, had to call Bohan out of order.

In the end, Fornario denied Diana's requests for a vote until lawmakers could get more information. The issue will return to the committee next month.