Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Solid Waste Management topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Committee votes to adopt Washington County solid-waste plan; implementation to move to DPW
Summary
The Government Operations Committee moved to adopt the County’s updated DEC‑required solid waste management plan and agreed to transfer implementation responsibilities to the Department of Public Works; adoption is required and the county must report progress to DEC every two years.
County staff presented an updated solid-waste management plan that has been under development for several years and said the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) informed the county the plan is acceptable as structured. Staff told the committee that adoption obligates the county to report progress on the plan’s implementation matrix every two years and that some actions may require additional study or funding to complete.
Staff asked the committee to move forward with formal adoption and to transfer implementation and future reporting responsibility to the Department of Public Works (DPW). A motion to adopt the plan was moved by "Bridal" and seconded by "Sue." The chair called for a voice vote; members responded "Aye" and the motion carried.
Staff cautioned there is no enumerated statutory civil penalty for failing to adopt the plan, but the state could withhold other funding streams if the county does not comply. The plan’s implementation matrix lists tasks ranging from simple actions (adding recycling information to county web pages) to complex, costed studies (hauler-permit feasibility and other initiatives) that DPW will review and prioritize.
Why it matters: DEC requires counties to have an adoptable solid-waste plan and to report progress; adopting the plan clears the county to proceed with implementation steps and unlocks the ability to document progress for state review.
Action recorded: Motion to adopt the solid-waste management plan (mover: Bridal; second: Sue). The committee carried the motion by voice vote and staff will transfer implementation responsibilities to DPW.
