Albany, NY – A pair of bills that would provide greater oversight on large annexations are on their way to Governor Cuomo’s desk, after being passed today by the New York State Senate.
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Both bills introduced by Senator Bill Larkin passed the Senate, and were identical to legislation passed last week by the Assembly.
The first of the two bills, S5603, would require the DEC to consider the environmental track records and past compliance with state and federal environmental laws of all municipalities when lead agency disputes arise during the annexation process. The legislation, drafted in response to the Department of Environmental Conservation’s decision to appoint the Village of Kiryas Joel as the lead agency during the annexation process, would not have any impact on the current Kiryas Joel annexation plan.
The second bill, S5643, would require county approval for all annexations requiring the county or the annexing municipality to provide water or sewer service in the proposed annexation area. Annexations that do not receive county approval could only proceed if they receive a supermajority vote from each of the affected boards. If signed by Governor Cuomo, this bill would require the boards of both the Village of Kiryas Joel and the Town of Monroe to approve the annexation by a four out of five vote, instead of the current requirement of a simple majority of three out of five votes.
The Senate passed the first bill by a vote of 46 to 16 and the second by a vote of 44 to 18.
In order the legislation to become law, Governor Cuomo would have to sign them before the close of the current legislative session, which ends tomorrow.
Moments after the passage of the two bills, Senator Larkin’s Facebook page announced his victory and implored the Governor to sign the two bills promptly.
“I am pleased that we have passed my annexation oversight bills today in the Senate. We desperately need more appropriate oversight on annexations that could have such a significant impact on our region. The passage of these bills have been my top priority throughout this entire process and I never stopped fighting on behalf of my constituents. The Assembly will now be tasked with sending these bills to the Governor’s desk for his signature. I urge Governor Cuomo to sign these bills into law as soon as possible.”
great, I hope the not yet indicted governor signs before he is led away in handcuffs.
I would advise for the leaders of KJ that right before next elections to disolve the village and become part of Town of Monroe.
At the elections you will win everything since you have a majority.
You change the zoning laws and everything else.
Case closed.
Can someone please explain in laymans terms what annexation is? I am confused. I get that it has something to do with KJ expanding and changing the zonning laws in its neighbooring town. But what is it exactly
I can only say that the anti annexation movement, is just bringing opposite results, KJ residents are getting to realize that this matter will end up in litigation, and stalled for a few years, so they just started to buy heavily in the neighboring towns, the anti annaxtion movement are creating the next Rockland, they are digging own grave.
Maker own math!
Larkin? Doesn’t he have his hand out for money from KJ shtarkers? Now he wants to destroy KJ.