Local News: November 30, 2023

- Sierra Club raises concerns about proposed waste facility in Steuben County -

A proposed waste facility in Bath would accept sludge and industrial waste. The Painted Post company, Momentum wants to build a facility in Bath that could accept over 100 tons of materials including construction debris, non-hazardous sludges, and contaminated soils. The Sierra Club’s Atlantic Chapter says the waste contains PFAS or “forever chemicals that will threaten the drinking water. Environmental journalist Peter Mantius reports that the Bath sewer system can't remove the chemicals before releasing water into the Cohocton River. The affected aquifers provide water to parts of Painted Post, Corning, residents, and businesses in other parts of the region. The Department of Environmental Conservation extended the public comment period to December 1. 

- $82.7 million Corning-Painted Post capital project to be voted on in December -

Residents of the Corning-Painted Post school district will vote on capital project funding over 80 million dollars on December 19. The superintendent tells the Elmira Star-Gazette that the money will be used to build new learning areas and complete or upgrade other areas of buildings throughout the district. New York state aid will pay over $60 million of the costs. The rest will be paid with local shares, debt service, and capital reserve funds.

- Steuben County repeals measure that required sheriff to buy liability insurance -

The Steuben County Legislature has repealed a resolution that required the county’s sheriff to purchase liability insurance worth millions of dollars. WETM TV reports the vote took place on Monday. The insurance would cover legal fees and liability the sheriff would face while doing his job. The new measure was voted on in September. Sheriff James Allard filed a petition with the New York Supreme Court which blocked it from going into effect. The sheriff is an elected county official.