 Williamstown Town Meeting Facing Bylaw to Ban Agricultural BiosolidsLast year, concern over PFAS, which has been linked to cancer in humans, drove a large public outcry over a Hoosac Water Quality District's plan to increase its composting operation by taking in biosolids, or sludge, from other wastewater treatment plants and create a new revenue stream for the local facility.  North County Biosolid Waste Costs Jumping Up in Fiscal Year 2027Sewage disposal fees for North Adams, Clarksburg and Williamstown residents are set to rise 17 percent in fiscal year 2027 because of the cost of compost disposal incurred by the Hoosac Water Quality District.  HQWD Rescinds Proposed FY26 Budget Over Sludge Disposal ChangesThe HWQD's board on Wednesday voted to rescind its approved $1.5 million budget after Casella Waste Management withdrew its option to truck untreated residential sewage from other communities to the Williamstown facility and then distribute the composted product elsewhere.  Golden Eagle Restaurant in Battle over Toxic Chemicals ThreatThe owners of the Golden Eagle Restaurant say they have been dealing with the negative affects of a gasoline spill that happened decades ago.  PFAS Issue Splits Williamstown Select Board on Sewer RateAbout 20 residents and the majority of the Select Board on Monday sent a message to the Hoosac Water Quality District: importing sludge and converting it to compost is a bad deal and unethical.  Concerns Over PFAS Spark Sewage Debate in WilliamstownSome members of the community, including a member of the Select Board, say the district is choosing a course of action that is at odds with the environmental principles that the town espouses. |
