Public commenters urge pause on waste‑to‑energy; partnership moves to executive session on bargaining and legal advice

During public comment, speakers raised concerns about a county-scale waste‑to‑energy proposal and its potential environmental and health effects. Ken (public commenter) asked for more transparency about the project’s job numbers and the broader decision process, urged officials to consider the full picture of jobs and housing, and criticized planning-board restrictions on small rental properties.

Star Hesse, another commenter, told the Partnership the public has not been adequately informed about risks of waste‑to‑energy and urged officials to “read what you’ve been told” and to reconsider plans that she described as creating a “toxic sludge.” Both commenters said perceived environmental risk could undermine efforts to attract long‑term residents, conferences and tourism.

A different public commenter (identified in the roll call as Walter) asked about employment generated by Holiday Mountain and expressed support for sports-complex development; he urged the Partnership to investigate reasons a college wrestling event relocated away from the county.

After public comment, the Partnership chair requested a motion to enter executive session to discuss collective bargaining and to receive legal advice. A motion and a second were offered; a member later identified as Bridal was recorded as having moved the motion. The chair stated no other business would be conducted in executive session. The transcript does not record a formal roll-call vote or tally for the motion.