New Hempstead residents and elected officials are taking a stand against a proposed 26,000-square-foot chicken slaughterhouse.

Althea Mundy, of New Hempstead, is afraid that if the facility is built in the neighboring New Square, animal waste may get into the town's water supply and contaminate it. Other concerns include potential noise and odor.

The New Square community had received a $1.6 million grant from the state to build a new chicken coop despite the fact it has never been approved by the county. Ramapo Town Supervisor Chris St. Lawrence is calling for a full environmental review of the proposed project.