Committee debates resolution opposing proposed county landfill site; final disposition not recorded in transcript

The committee discussed Resolution 33, a measure described as opposing establishment of a county landfill in Wawarsing and urging the Resource Recovery Agency and county to explore alternatives. During the meeting, several legislators said they sympathized with community concerns about siting but urged the Resource Recovery Agency to complete scientifically based site studies before being directed away from any particular site.

Legislator Litts moved the resolution and Legislator Walls seconded; the transcript records an early voice vote that recorded two affirmative votes (Litts and Walls) when the chair called for votes, but subsequent extended debate followed and the transcript does not include a final tally or an explicit statement that the resolution passed or failed in committee.

Speakers emphasized competing priorities: some said the Wolwarsing/Wawarsing area and certain earlier proposed sites (including a previously litigated Plattekill proposal) raised environmental justice concerns and merited opposition; others said the county should not preempt the technical siting process carried out by the Resource Recovery Agency and its consultants.

Director Ryder (UCRRA) told the committee the agency had not sought taxpayer funds since 2011 and that consultants had identified five potentially feasible sites throughout the county, including parcels in Plattekill, Saugerties and Wawarsing; Ryder said further studies and a request for proposals for alternative waste solutions were already under way.

Ending: Because the committee transcript does not record a definitive final vote count or formal outcome for Resolution 33, the resolutionstatus is recorded here as "not specified" in committee minutes contained in the transcript; committee materials should be consulted for the official disposition.