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Residents, Sustainable Sullivan urge Thompson board to consider Monticello Clean Air Law amid proposed incinerator site
Summary
Residents and Sustainable Sullivan asked the Town Board on June 16 to review and consider adopting a version of the Village of Monticello's "Monticello Clean Air Law" to regulate gasification and incinerator facilities after notices about a proposed site outside the Village. The Board said it will review the law with the Town Attorney.
At the Town of Thompson board meeting on June 16, 2026, speakers representing Sustainable Sullivan and neighborhood associations urged the Town Board to consider adopting a version of the Village of Monticello's "Monticello Clean Air Law" as a way to regulate gasification and incineration facilities proposed outside the Village limits.
Eric Feinblatt, speaking on behalf of Sustainable Sullivan, read a prepared statement urging the board to "consider supporting and adopting a similar law." He told the board the measure establishes an enforceable baseline for air-quality monitoring and accountability and said the county has been "un-communicative" about the proposed site. "This law is not anti-development, but provides a legal standing that establishes a baseline to protect the health and safety of the public," Feinblatt said.
Rebekah Creshkoff, also of Sustainable Sullivan, said the law parallels existing federal and state clean-air protections and thanked the board for considering it. She told the board the group is not advocating a blanket ban on development but wants regulatory tools to ensure new facilities meet strict air-quality standards. "We are not saying no development or incineration, but if you are going to do it protect the health of our citizens and do it the right way," Creshkoff said.
Other residents who addressed the board included Linda Wright (Sustainable Sullivan), Henry Wiesel (president of Beaver Lake Estates), Jim Powell (Sullivan County resident), Dawn Lashansky, Grayson LaFonce (Wanasink Lake), and Caroline Kauflen (Wanasink Lake). Speakers emphasized environmental and public-health risks, the area's natural and recreational value, and the opportunity for the town to use its home-rule authority to set local standards.
A resident who did not give a name asked whether the town would receive revenue from the proposed project; Supervisor Scott S. Mace replied the project is a County initiative and the Town is not aware of receiving any revenue.
Supervisor Mace said the Town Board will review the local law and discuss it further with the Town Attorney. The board took no formal action on the proposal at the June 16 meeting; public comments were provided to the record for board consideration and potential future discussion.
