Cohoes will vote on Norlite tax

Proposal would place 4 percent assessment on hazardous waste

The city’s Common Council on Tuesday will vote on a proposal by Mayor Bill Keeler to impose a 4 percent assessment or tax on the gross receipts of hazardous waste collected by facilities in the city including the Norlite aggregate plant.

Keeler suggested the tax to offset the costs he says the city has accrued since news broke last winter that Norlite had been burning hazardous firefighting foam in the kilns they use to process rock into construction and road building aggregate.

Among other wastes such as used solvents or paint thinners, Norlite had been accepting and burning Aqueous Film Forming Foam to burn and power its kilns.

That’s become a concern because the foam is made with PFAS, or per- and polyfluoroalkyl compounds which are associated with illnesses such as thyroid disorders and cancers. In announcing the meeting, Keeler also released a letter to Tradebe Co., which is Norlite’s parent company rebutting an earlier letter the firm sent to him.

In that earlier letter, Tradebe said they were open to the idea of a hazardous waste tax but they took exception to Keeler’s statements that news of the AFFF incineration had cost the city money.

Keeler in his letter said the AFFF affair has highlighted years of questions and concerns that city residents have regarding the incineration and aggregate mining that takes place at the Norlite facility.

Norlite’s incineration of AFFF was legal. But the state has since banned the practice amid worries about the health effects.

The Common Council’s meeting will start at 7 p.m.

The meeting will begin with an opportunity for public comment. Members of the public may participate virtually through their smartphone, computer, or tablet via this link: https://global.gotomeeting.com/join/625670701 or listen via phone by dialing: 646-749-3122 Access Code: 625-670-701.