Resident urges Greene County to monitor sewage biosolids and PFAS; cites recent county moratoria

Mary Finner, a resident who identified herself to the Legislature during the public comment period, asked county legislators to be aware of recent actions by other counties related to the spreading and use of sewage sludge (biosolids).

Finner told the Legislature that Albany County has passed a moratorium on spreading biosolids and that Steuben County passed a “memorializing” resolution supporting proposed New York State law to pause spreading until risks can be assessed. She said some biosolids contain per‑and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), and that biosolids have been implicated in agricultural losses in Maine and Michigan.

Finner urged local farmers and county officials to be aware of the issue and noted that biosolids are sometimes processed into fertilizers. She offered to help arrange further information for the Legislature, suggesting Douglas Raines (identified in her remarks as from the town of New Scotland and a dairy farmer) or other speakers to provide more detailed testimony at a future session.

The comment was received by the Legislature; members said they would circulate Finner’s printed materials to legislators. No formal action or vote was recorded on the matter during the meeting.

The caller described biosolids as “the residual that’s left after a wastewater treatment plant” and emphasized community concerns about PFAS contamination and potential impacts on farms and drinking water. County staff or legislators did not record specific policy steps at the meeting; the matter was presented as public comment and informational.