Sludge Watch ==> Pennsylvania: Hearing Concludes on Sludge Ordinance

[maureen.reilly at sympatico.ca]

http://www.readingeagle.com/re/news/1554060.asp



Hearing concludes on proposed sludge ordinance
The new measure would allow Maidencreek Township to enforce existing state 
rules on spreading the sewage byproduct on farmland.

By Rebecca VanderMeulen
Reading Eagle

Maidencreek Township has completed a hearing on a proposed ordinance to 
regulate the spreading of sewage sludge on township farms.
The proposal would allow the township to enforce sludge rules set by the 
state Department of Environmental Protection.

Supervisors voted 3-0 Thursday to have Solicitor Eugene Orlando Jr. review 
testimony and documents from the three-session hearing and revise the draft 
ordinance if necessary.

Township planner David C. Brown asked supervisors to vote on the ordinance 
within 30 days.

Orlando said he wants to make sure the ordinance can stand up to legal 
challenges.

“I believe that this board (of supervisors) is taking this issue extremely 
seriously,” he said.

Cathleen D. Stoltzfus said she lost interest in enrolling her 170-acre farm 
in the Berks County land-preservation program because of the sludge used on 
an adjacent farm.

“I have a right to clean air, clean water, and the right to step out of my 
house and take a deep breath,” she said.

Stoltzfus also is concerned about the stream that flows from the adjacent 
farm to Lake Ontelaunee, which supplies drinking water to Reading.

Supervisors Chairman Roy H. Timpe later asked if it would be possible to 
have stricter enforcement standards for sludge spread on farms within the 
lake's watershed.

“Lake Ontelaunee's water is used for human consumption,” he said. “The other 
water isn't.”

Orlando said the township would have to apply the ordinance equally.

A representative of Synagro, a sludge-hauling company, said he could show 
township officials the process if they visited a sludge-spreading site.

“We can set up a farm tour this fall, this spring, whatever you want to do,” 
said Peter B. Price, the company's technical services manager.

Contact reporter Rebecca VanderMeulen at 610-371-5015 or 
rvandermeulen at readingeagle.com.