Hus atonic regional authority seeks ordinance update; New Milford schedules public hearing

Jen Heaton Jones, executive director of the Husatonic Resources Recovery Authority (HR), told the council Feb. 9 that HR is proposing three local ordinance amendments: (1) switch HR voting from a weighted model to one-town/one-vote, reflecting that the historical —put— contractual obligations ended in 2019; (2) update the town—s longstanding solid-waste ordinance to reflect modern state law; and (3) adopt enforcement authority to address noncompliant haulers operating in the region.

Heaton Jones said HR has identified multiple haulers operating without required registration and permitting and that a local enforcement mechanism would allow municipalities to ensure insurance and licensing compliance and reduce safety risk. "We continue to see more and more non-compliant haulers," she said, citing two recent regional fatalities involving haulers and urging the town to adopt enforcement tools and a more current ordinance.

Councilors discussed next steps and unanimously approved setting a public hearing for March 9, 6:30 p.m., to consider the proposed ordinance amendments. Town staff will circulate HR—s draft language and coordinate with the recycling committee and relevant departments before the hearing.

What changes: The proposed enforcement amendments include a notice-and-hearing process, penalties, and the ability for police to issue citations; towing and impoundment are listed as extreme remedies but HR said the preference is for compliance through notice and due process.

Next steps: Staff will publish the draft ordinance, coordinate with the recycling committee and schedule the March 9 public hearing for deliberation and public comment.