Public hearing on Washington County biosolids moratorium draws residents and wastewater experts; supervisors table measure for one month

A public hearing on a proposed six-month moratorium on purchase and application of biosolids from outside Washington County drew residents, a wastewater district representative and county supervisors on Jan. 20.

Ronald Atkinson of Hudson Falls told the board he supported the moratorium as a precautionary step and urged more rigorous testing. He cited a July 2023 lab result that showed PFOS at 7.75 and said PFOA was not detected, adding that “low levels can build up” and asking the county to adopt testing and monitoring that would track changes over time. Atkinson also urged inclusion of composted in‑county biosolids in any controls and mentioned state action and grant funding available to support remediation and upgrades.

Matt Fuller, who identified himself as representing Washington County Sewer Districts 1 and 2, said he was not categorically opposed to addressing PFAS but raised legal and operational concerns about the draft local law’s enforcement language. Fuller said the moratorium’s enforcement section “has no enforcement whatsoever” as drafted, questioned how the county would detect violations (for example, inspecting private gardens or farmlands), and noted that many enforcement steps would require warrants or an identified enforcement agency. “If the goal is to make people feel good that we're taking action, then this moratorium will accomplish that task,” Fuller said, adding that it would not on its own create a true ban or practical enforcement regime. He recommended that studies consider disposal outlets (land application, burning, landfill) and upstream sources of PFAS rather than only regulating the end of the pipe.

Ben Bramlidge, a retired DEC police captain and Fort Edward resident, asked the board to oppose a separate but related proposal — an ESMI/Clean Earth RD&D project in Fort Edward — and to press the state Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) to hold a public hearing. Bramlidge described the project as a two‑week test to heat‑treat up to 5,000 tons of PFAS‑contaminated soil and warned that lower‑temperature treatment could form other compounds and release emissions. He pointed to DEC‑required air modeling that predicts increased deposition in a 1.5‑mile radius that includes potentially disadvantaged communities, and asked the county to send letters urging a DEC public hearing while the comment period (extended to Feb. 17) remains open.

After public comment and further discussion, including questions about whether the moratorium would apply to residential purchases of biosolid‑amended fertilizer, a supervisor moved to table the measure for one month and send it to committee for further review and public outreach; Mister Han seconded the motion. The motion to table passed with a majority and one recorded nay. The chair said the item will be considered by committee and may be returned to the board next month.

The board then proceeded with a series of routine resolutions (appointments, budget amendments, grant carryovers and staffing adjustments). Several measures were approved by voice vote; Resolution 27 (establishing the 2026 salary schedule for specified employee categories) was adopted following a roll‑call vote recorded in the minutes.

What’s next: Introductory Local Law I of 2025 has been tabled for one month for further committee review and refinement of enforcement and scope language; DEC’s public comment window on the Fort Edward test project remains open through Feb. 17, and community members asked the county to request a DEC public hearing on that permit application.