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Residents press Goshen to escalate response after DEC says stop‑work not necessary at Outer Ring landfill site
Summary
Neighbors and town officials said they remain concerned about explosive gas readings at the Outer Ring/Alteri landfill and urged the town attorney to press the DEC for follow‑up; DEC staff told the town a stop‑work order was unnecessary during a Feb. 26 conference call, officials said.
Residents and board members raised safety concerns about the Outer Ring (Alteri) landfill during public comment, citing a notice of violation and readings indicating explosive gas at a portion of the site. Speakers said they had asked the DEC for a stop‑work order; town officials said DEC staff told the town on a Feb. 26 video call that a stop‑work order was not necessary.
Susan Hayward and other residents told the board they remain alarmed by the DEC’s response and asked why the town had not issued a local stop‑work order. "We have the power to have a stop work order," one resident said, adding that a stop order would at least focus enforcement while the hazard is addressed. Town officials said the DEC is the lead agency for the site and that the town’s legal options and permitting history would need review; the town attorney participated on the Feb. 26 call and the board said it will instruct the attorney to follow up with the DEC.
Nut graf: Residents and several board members said the town should take a stronger legal/administrative stance because explosive gas readings and repeated violations pose a liability and safety risk; town staff said they are seeking written documentation of DEC findings and that the town attorney will prepare follow‑up actions.
Board members asked staff to request written summaries of the Feb. 26 call with DEC Region 3 and to have the town attorney prepare any necessary legal correspondence. No stop‑work order was issued by the town at the meeting; the board directed staff and legal counsel to press for written DEC determinations and to consider legal options if the hazard is not promptly addressed.
Ending: The town said it will share written responses from DEC with residents and may pursue legal steps if the town remains on notice of a hazardous condition without adequate remediation.
