by Doug La Rocque
For more than a year now, the Town of Hoosick and Naturae LLC have been at odds over odors emanating from the hemp processing plant. First it came from inside the facility because the doors were left open, something that was prohibited in their site plan approval. New equipment and closing the doors seemed to help, but then storage of bags used to transport the raw hemp created a smell that had neighbors complaining once again. Codes Enforcement Officer Lloyd Moses and Town Supervisor Mark Surdam have made several trips to Naturae to discuss the situation, at one point earlier this year deciding to seek a cease and desist against the owners. That only failed because at the time, the courts were closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
At the Monday, November 8 meeting of the Town Council, a person who identified himself as Connor said he had just taken over as operations manager, and one of the first things he did was to relocate the bag storage area so that the smell from the bags is no longer an issue.
According to Supervisor Surdam, the Council’s issues with the company have been mitigated and he sees no further reason to seek legal recourse. Councilman Jerry McAuliffe expressed his frustration with the entire situation with Naturae and warned they must maintain compliance with Town Code.
More Frustration With the Railroad
Pan American Railway trains continue to move slowly through the Village of Hoosick Falls and parts of the Town because of a 75-year-old culvert under the tracks near Railroad and Carey Avenues the Town and the Village feel is undersized and being undermined. The officials have complained to the Railroad, New York State and Federal officials, with little or no satisfaction. These officials say as long as the trains are not moving more than 10 miles per hour over that section of track, there is no problem.
But there is, according to Councilman McAuliffe and Supervisor Surdam. These long and slow moving trains effectively cut the village in half, creating long delays for traffic, school buses and most importantly, emergency services. There is an underpass at first street, but recent road construction has blocked that. Supervisor Surdam pointed out that if there were to be a fire or medical emergency on the “other side of the tracks,” these trains could force first responders to “take the long way around” and perhaps create needless delays in response times.
The Supervisor says it is not clear if the sale of Pan Am Railways to CSX will see the new owner of the track repair the culvert in question. As to Pan Am, Mr. Surdam told those gathered Monday evening, “they know it’s an issue but they don’t want to spent the money to fix it right.”
One of the biggest fears about the culvert is that it could collapse or see a section of the track give way, resulting in a derailment Town officials fear could be catastrophic.
No Marijuana, At Least Not This Year
The Council discussed New York’s new marijuana laws extensively at the October meeting, particularly in regards to the mandate that municipalities either opt out of sales and on site consumption, or let it default.
The Council members to a person where not opposed to the sale of cannabis products but were concerned about the lack of guidance from the state on the matter to date. At that time, they discussed a possible moratorium on sales until they receive the feedback they need from the State. At their November meeting, a nine month moratorium was approved.
What the Council did opt out of was onsite consumption at a proposed dispensary. They all felt that brought with it a cadre of problems and liabilities.
Other News and Notes
There were no updates on two town highway projects, those being the Cottrell Road bridge and Markers Road water damage repair, as Highway Superintendent Bill Shilled was not present. The Council offered its congratulations to Hoosick Falls’ own Eberle Brothers on their recent induction into the Capital Region Thomas Edison Hall of Fame. The Council members also made several appointments to the staff at the Ice Rink, announced they are seeking a Housing Authority Board member, as well a someone to sit on the Planning Board. They approved a new copy machine contract subject to attorney review and noted that the Woods Brook Flood Mitigation Project off Richmond Avenue is 99 percent complete. Work on the Johnson Hill Road portion may be delayed until spring because of supply problems.