Woodbury, NY - Vote on New Village Clearly Aims to Stop Kiryas Joel

Woodbury, NY - Some were enthusiastic. Some were torn. But all the voters had the same goal: to keep Kiryas Joel out of their town.

The referendum on Thursday was decisive. By a ratio of more than 3 to 1, residents voted to turn most of Woodbury into a village and accept whatever new taxes and complications come with it. It was the second village voted into existence in southern Orange County in just a month and a half.

Almost a dozen "yes" voters interviewed outside Town Hall all made clear that they hoped, perhaps in vain, to prevent the Chasidic community from bringing its dense housing to their country postcard of a town.
One woman, who gave only her first name - Theresa - voiced her concern this way: "Not supposed to say it, I guess, but the overrunning of Hasidic Jews."
Most used more tact and acknowledged that by incorporating a village they were blocking only one Kiryas Joel expansion option - the creation of a Chasidic village within Woodbury. Still open is the option of annexing Woodbury land into Kiryas Joel.
Those who had weighed those factors said they decided to take their chances with annexation. "I honestly envision that the courts would have it tied up for very many years, and probably say no," David Sutz said.

"When the village is up and running in two years, the taxes are going to skyrocket."
Kiryas Joel Administrator sounded a conciliatory note on Friday.
He said the outcome of the vote suggested "the people have given up on negotiations," although he still hopes that elected leaders from both sides will meet to resolve concerns about Kiryas Joel's growth and its future. "I want to be clear that that offer is still on the table," he said.

Those voting against the village included a growing contingent of Chasidim who live outside Kiryas Joel in Woodbury, either as year-round or summer residents.
They recently organized a homeowners group and have begun voicing dissatisfaction with what they say are inadequate municipal services.
Why, they ask, should they support a new layer of government and taxes if they already feel poorly served and overtaxed?
"We don't see a valid, good reason why we need a village," said Michael Schlesinger, who moved to Milval Lane from Brooklyn last year.