Hi! Everyone,

Has anyone explored getting a Judge to rule to stop the building of developments in Rotterdam until Rotterdam has a master plan for water and sewers which would include aid from the County, State, and Federal governments as well as Metroplex?  

Are you a judge??? I thought there was always supposed to be a plan on the 'books', like 5years out or something like that? Do you have more info??

There is a comprehensive plan on the books but I don't know what it includes for infrustructure.  If my  memory serves me correctly,  a while back there was talk among residents to stop all development for 1 year (moratorium). That never came about. It may be something to look into.

There is a plan on the books but it's only selectively used.

I think it would be something to look into. But I believe it is an expensive venture. I think an attorney would need to be retained as well unless you can get one to work pro bono. Or you could possibly get a petition going to appeal for a 1 year moratorium to be passed by the town board. And yet another option is putting it up for a referendum. It costs the town some bucks, but it can be done.

Just some thoughts.........

I believe the folks at Masullo Estates have info on this.....anyone want to enlighten the forum???

We simultaneously circulated and submitted a petition for a two-year town-wide moratorium while collecting signatures for a petition opposing Helderberg Meadows that the ACOE was holding a public comment period on.

The ACOE matter was supposed to yield notice back to us with a determination.  That was 2005 I think.  I still call every few weeks to find out what happened because we were never notified or got any feedback on our letters and petition seeking an ACOE public hearing.  I'm not sure if it's still pending or what.  Of course, we know the Town of Rotterdam proceeded right along and approved the project.  The two are independent but related processes but I can't find out if ACOE can still quash it or not.

The moratorium was opposed by the Town Board.  The current board will NEVER adopt one.  There are legitimate concerns and I understand their reasoning, but don't agree.  They currently operate with a Comp Plan that is overdue for updating.  There is no good reason for the delay.  The Plan is inadequate in it's current form but it doesn't matter...they don't follow it anyway!  Without that document in place, accurate, and actually used, it's like trying to build a house without a blueprint.  By the way, no moratorium is two years.  That was purposely extended from the usual one year to demonstrate the resident support for the notion.  It's not uncommon for a moratorium to sometimes get extended upon expiration if circumstances warranted.  If you do the hard work when it's in place instead of just using it as a delay tactic then extension becomes unnecessary.