So if you´re really mean, you´ll refuse to make any Italian city a Huge one, thereby stopping your enemies from getting those new better units. Sure you´ll not be able to build omse stuff and you´ll get a hell of a time with the public order, but at least you´ll never have to see a Makedonian Heavy Reformed Phalanx!
There might be a set date when the reforms will trigger anyway, but if it so then I have not heard of it.
Also, I think the March of Time should be added to the reforms in the FAQ, might just cut back on some of these threads.