Vote targets waste burners

Ban on incinerators now goes to Mccoy to sign

Albany County legislators voted 32-7 on Monday to ban the construction of any new waste incinerators in the county.

The bill was aimed at preventing a plan to burn used tires to power the Lafargeholcim cement plant in Coeymans. More than two dozen people spoke in favor of the bill prior to the vote.

Proponents of the legislation said the bill would protect surrounding communities from potentially harmful emissions.

“We’re local legislators, our job is to protect the public health of our constituents,” said Joanne Cunningham, a Bethlehem Democrat.

Opponents said the legislation was unnecessary, could potentially lead to a lawsuit and would threaten goodpaying jobs at the plant.

Legislator Paul Burgdorf, a Colonie Republican who voted against the law, pointed out that the plant had received federal and state permits for the tireburning process, calling the law’s intention “well-meaning” but ultimately flawed.

“I personally am going to follow the science,” he said.

The legislature also voted 38-1 to extend a 25-year lease with the Shaker Heritage Society in Colonie. Legislator Frank Commisso Sr., a Democrat from Albany, was the lone “no” vote, arguing that the lease was too long and that he had concerns about whether the county would be liable since the Shaker Historical Society planned to seek a liquor license for events on the property.

Legislator Nathan Bruschi, a Colonie Democrat who sponsored the bill, noted that an outside vendor with their own insurance would be providing any liquor and that the liability issues had been examined.

The bill now heads to County Executive Dan Mccoy’s desk for either signing or veto.