FORESTBURGH — A Local Law, dubbed #2 of 2024, was tabled following a public hearing which heard criticism and concern from a number of residents concerned for their religious practices, which they claim would be negatively affected by the legislation. 

The law in part proposed that there be put in place a five-acre lot minimum for houses of worship in the town. According to resident Yehuda Miller and other public commenters, this would negatively affect the Hasidic Jewish population in the town as they are not allowed to drive on the Sabbath, thus the longer distances would likely drive practitioners of Judaism out of town.

Forestburgh Town Supervisor Dan Hogue Jr. said that out of the 15 towns in Sullivan County, 13 of them currently have stricter local legislation on the subject than they do. However, after listening to the pleas of 10 town and county residents express their concern for the local law, the board moved to table to review the feedback.

Although it was tabled with no action taken, the town board was assisted by Town Attorney Troy Johnstone in completing parts one and two of the Department of Environmental Conservation’s Environmental Assessment Form.

Conversations on the local law are expected to continue at the end of summer, as the town board have canceled their meeting scheduled for July 4, Independence Day.