Legislature opposes incinerator

YATES COUNTY--The Yates County Legislature met Monday, April 9 for its monthly meeting.
During the meeting, the board voted to formally oppose the creation of the proposed trash-to-energy plant on the former Seneca Depot land in Romulus. The waste incineration plant was proposed by Circular enerG, a Rochester company.
Prior to the Monday meeting, Seneca Lake Guardian submitted a letter to the legislature regarding the proposed waste-to-energy plant. In the letter, the environmental group said, compared to coal, burning garbage releases 28 times as much dioxins/furans, 2.5 times as much carbon dioxide, twice as much carbon monoxide and three times as much nitrogen oxides. The group also said it releases 6-14 times as much mercury, almost six times as much lead and 70 percent more sulfur dioxides.
As stated in the letter, "The wine, craft beverage, agriculture, and agritourism industry is driving job creation and economic growth in the Finger Lakes, which is home to hundreds of family vineyards and wineries, generates $2.9 billion in economic activity and supports 60,000 jobs in the Finger Lakes alone."
The letter continues, "Visitors are attracted to the natural beauty and rural, unindustrialized character of the Seneca Lake communities and the surrounding area. The proposed trash burning facility's emissions, truck and rail activity, and visible smoke stack will negatively impact Seneca, Ontario, Tompkins, Yates, Cayuga, and Schuyler Counties, clearly making this a regional threat."
The group claims the company is not disclosing the source of garbage for the incinerator, but anticipate it's likely to come six days a week via train from New York City. The board voted unanimously to oppose the incinerator.
To further protect Yates County agriculture, the board approved the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets Farmland Protection Grant Program, pledging to match the investment. The purpose of the program is to protect farmland from development, and the approval granted protection to Robert Henderson Farm. The program will add this land to the already protected 800 acres.
Other news:
• Deputy Sheriff Francis Ryan was named Yates County Sheriff's Officer of the Year.
• The legislature set a public hearing during their next scheduled meeting to discuss prohibiting the use of tobacco, nicotine, and like substances on county property for Monday, May 14 at 1:05.
• May 2018 will be recognized as Older Americans' Month.
• The board authorized the bid for replacement of the Loomis Road bridge.