by Doug La Rocque
In a joint statement today, Hoosick Town Supervisor Mark Surdam and Village of Hoosick Falls Mayor Robert Allen shared a progress report on engaging community input on remediation of the Hoosick Falls Superfund sites. The Paige Group, an independent third-party facilitator, has been engaged to help form and manage the Hoosick Area Community Participation Work Group (CPWG) and is seeking to convene a diverse group of local community members and business owners interested in participating in the work group.
The CPWG will provide a forum for the greater Hoosick Falls community to receive progress reports on PFOA cleanup and options for the municipal water supply. The Hoosick area Superfund sites include Saint-Gobain-McCaffrey Street; Former Oak Materials-John Street; Saint-Gobain-Liberty Street; Hoosick Falls Landfill; and Alexander Schmigel Property. Investigative work is also being performed at potential superfund sites, or “P” sites, which include Oak Materials-River Road; Interface Solutions; Former Dodge Machine; and Allied-Signal Laminate Systems-Mechanic Street.
“The CPWG is designed to provide local residents with a voice and encourage discussion about the Hoosick area State Superfund Sites and related water quality projects,” said Surdam.
“The group will not serve as a decision-making body, but will make important recommendations and provide relevant community input regarding community concerns and perceptions as the remedial projects are being performed,” said Allen. “It will also fulfill the critical role of communicating with residents and the public regarding the technical aspects of the remedial activities and public health implications.”
CPWG participants will be expected to attend monthly meetings that will be facilitated by The Paige Group. Those interested in participating in this group are asked to submit a one-page letter of interest describing why they are interested and what their particular topics of interest are, as well as any potential conflicts of interest, and send to: Hoosick Community Participation Work Group, c/o The Paige Group, 258 Genesee St., Suite 204, Utica, NY 13502, or submit via email to: info@paigegroup.com. Letters of interest will be accepted through May 17.