Resident urges county moratorium and testing for biosolids land application

Ron Atkinson of the town of Kingsbury urged the board to revisit a proposed moratorium on the land application of biosolids (sewage sludge) and to resume or require testing at the county composting facility. Atkinson said prior local resolutions and testing proposals were tabled, that biosolids from other municipalities are arriving in the county for composting, and that states’ interim policies are in flux, so local action is warranted.

Atkinson urged supervisors to discourage land application of biosolids and to exercise Washington County’s home-rule authority to protect farmland, tourism, and public health. He also noted that remediation and research efforts are underway in neighboring locations and asked the board to take a leadership role rather than waiting for state guidance.

What happens next: No immediate local moratorium was adopted during the meeting; Atkinson urged supervisors to act but no formal direction or vote was recorded on this issue in the meeting transcript.