Read the full article by Josh Landes (WAMC Northeast Public Radio).
“On May 19, Williamstown voters ushered in a new era for Massachusetts when they approved article 19 on the annual town meeting warrant – a citizen petition to ‘prohibit the land application of sewerage sludge derived materials.’
‘This local vote and bylaw introduction is a big deal – it’s the first of its kind in the state,’ said Berkshire Environmental Action Team Executive Director Brittany Ebeling. ‘This discussion about sludge and the wastewater treatment plant’s role in the supply chain of sludge distribution to other communities came up in a big way last year when the water quality treatment district shared between Williamstown and North Adams began entertaining a proposal to import sludge from other communities, and folks who had never even heard of sewage sludge supply chains came out to stand out and oppose this proposal out of feelings of moral conviction, about the implication in contamination to other communities.’
Backlash to the sludge importation plan – including from the Williamstown Select Board, which voted against backing it – prompted the Hoosac Water Quality District to scuttle it before the 2025 town meeting. This year, that same body unanimously endorsed the sludge ban heading into the historic vote.”…