Plattsburgh task force advances broader food-waste program; resident urges caution on 'No Mow May'

Plattsburgh officials said the city’s Climate Smart task force is preparing a proposal to pursue external grant funding and partnerships to expand food-waste collection beyond municipal buildings, a step task-force leaders said could cover hauling costs for up to a year and allow a wider community rollout.

The work-session discussion matters because the city passed a municipal food-waste policy in 2022 but did not move to pay a hauler to pick up food from municipal buildings. Task-force members said training and materials were completed during the earlier grant, but the step that would have paid a contractor to remove collected food waste never occurred, so the program did not move into regular operation.

Task force coordinator Alicia said the group has been coordinating with county partners and a consultant (identified in meeting notes as Cody) about a county grant the task force could use to expand collection, and that the group intends to develop a proposal and bring options to…