By DAN HEATH
Staff Writer
PLATTSBURGH — The Town of Plattsburgh has passed a nine-month moratorium on solid-waste facilities.
Local Law No. 2 was drafted in response to the City of Plattsburgh's decision to apply for an amendment of its wastewater treatment sludge processing permit.
The city owns the Clinton County Compost Facility off Rugar Street in the Town of Plattsburgh. The plant has been shut down for years.
The city wants to be allowed to use alkaline treatment at the Compost Facility as a backup plan if landfills are no longer able or willing to accept its sludge.
That process is similar to the N-viro process used before the plant shut down. Area residents had numerous complaints about odors from that process, but the city believes the odor can be contained because far less sludge will be processed and it will be kept in the facility.
Town Supervisor Bernie Bassett said his perception is that the new law prevents any town department from processing permits or issuing certificates of occupancy for a solid-waste treatment facility for nine months.
That would include such filings the town believes are needed before the city's Compost Facility can resume operation or get its permit amendment approved, he said.
Bassett said the town is finalizing submittals to the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation for lead agency in the State Environmental Quality Review Act process for the city's application for a permit amendment.
LAW INCLUDES FINE
The local law is in effect once it is filed with the New York Secretary of State's Office.
Violations are subject to a fine of $1,000 and/or 15 days in jail, with each week a violation continues considered a separate violation.
COMMITTEE PLANNED
The town will soon create an ad hoc committee to study the issues of sludge and solid-waste disposal.
"We acknowledge this is an issue that has to be dealt with," Bassett said.
"I'm optimistic that committee, in studying the municipalities' needs, will be able to come up with a way to address this issue in the short and long term in a way that will have the least impact on health and economic development."
If the Clinton County Compost Facility is seen as a regional plant, Bassett said, the city, town and county should meet to decide the best process and best location.
CITY'S VIEW
City of Plattsburgh Mayor Donald Kasprzak said he doesn't believe the moratorium affects the city's ability to operate the plant if needed.
He said it is unfortunate the Town of Plattsburgh continues to refuse to support the environmentally responsible position the city has taken regarding the Compost Facility.
"It is very easy to criticize and pass legislation without providing any reasonable options for wastewater and sludge removal," he said.
"The town has not offered one single positive suggestion regarding the Compost Facility other than wanting to construct a new plant anywhere but in the town itself."
Kasprzak said it's important to remember the city wastewater plant treats town sewage, as well.
"I hope with this moratorium they contact every town resident and business to ensure they don't flush their toilets too often."
Both the city and the town expect the issue will be decided through litigation.
E-mail Dan Heath at:
dheath@pressrepublican.com
