Sludge Watch ==> Pennsylvania Borough backs biosolids battle -"DEP can't supervise sludge"

[Maureen Reilly]

Borough to back East Brunswick in biosolids battle
Officials say if neighbor loses fight, Tamaqua ordinance banning use of 
sludge is in danger.
By Lisa Price | Special to The Morning Call


May 8, 2008


Tamaqua will back nearby East Brunswick Township in its court fight against 
the state to uphold its ordinance that bans spreading sewage sludge on 
township land.

Tamaqua Mayor Chris Morrison cast a tie-breaking vote Tuesday as Borough 
Council decided to be added as a friend of the court on the Community 
Environmental Legal Defense Fund's brief for East Brunswick.

The state attorney general's office has sued the township over its 
ordinance, saying it's unconstitutional.

The matter will be heard in a June 9 hearing in Philadelphia County Court.




East Brunswick township Supervisor Don Rubinkam and Regina Wiyda of East 
Brunswick Township Concerned Citizens urged Tamaqua council to join their 
case.

The state Department of Environmental Protection ''can't adequately 
supervise sewage sludge sites,'' Wiyda said. ''We need to stand on a united 
front, and we're fighting for our right to self-government.''

Tamaqua solicitor Michael Greek cautioned council on joining a legal brief 
that none of them had read.

''Before you say you want to join in a legal battle -- the brief and its 
arguments are attributed to you -- don't you think you should read it?'' 
Greek said.

But Councilwoman Cathy Miorelli urged members to side with East Brunswick.

Tamaqua in 2006 adopted an ordinance barring corporations, but not 
individuals, from application of treated human waste, also called biosolids, 
within borough limits.

''If you believe what we're doing is right, vote for this,'' Miorelli said. 
''This is a matter of life and death -- if they lose their case, our 
ordinance means nothing.''

Miorelli, Ken Smulligan, and Steve Tertel voted to join the friend of the 
court brief, while council President Micah Gursky, John Trudich and Brian 
Conelly voted no. Councilman Tom Cara was absent, forcing Morrison to vote.

http://www.mcall.com/news/local/all-b7_1tamaqua.6396917may08,0,657684.story