The proposal from Aries Clean Technologies for biosolids plant similar to this one in Linden, NJ, will have to wait while the city updates its ordinances. Photo: Aries Clean Technologies
By Lee Burnett
The Sanford City Council is wasting no time in starting the update of its ordinances in the face of a novel biosolids gasification plant proposed for south Sanford.
The council voted unanimously Tuesday to adopt a 180-day moratorium on development of the plant. The council was prompted to act by a grassroots citizens group that had collected 1,035 petition signatures. Councilors had the option of leaving the moratorium up to voters in November or enacting it on its own, which the council did. The moratorium won’t officially take effect until it passes muster at a second public hearing, scheduled for the council’s next meeting on June 16.
“This starts the conversation faster,” said Deputy Mayor Maura Herlihy, noting “these types of topics tend to tear a community apart.”
Immediately after the vote, councilors and City Manager Steve Buck reached out to members of Sanford Clean Air and Water Coalition with thanks, helpful observations and appeals to stay involved.
Mayor Becky Brink urged vigilance in anticipating and preventing harm.
“We need to be very focused on what we’re doing about the environment and just talk about that,” she said. “What is it we don’t want to have happen in our community?” Brink said she has already received an application from one coalition member to serve on an Industrial Development Standards Task Force and said she is looking for more. “We’ll keep hassling people to get on that team,” she said.
City Manager Buck said the advancement of companion moratoriums on two proposed industries in Sanford – the Aries biosolids gasification and data center – is overwhelming. “My head is spinning.” But he said a lot of the ordinance review will apply to both proposals. “We won’t have to recreate the wheel. We’ll spin both wheels at the same time.”
The moratorium requires a review of land use ordinances, zoning regulations,
site plan review standards, and environmental protections, with particular attention to:
- An independent assessment of potential air quality impacts, including emissions and public
health evaluations;
- An assessment of traffic and transportation impacts from heavy truck activity;
- An evaluation of potential impacts to surface water and groundwater;
- A review of operational history and technological readiness of proposed thermal
processing technologies;
- An assessment of impacts to property values, economic activity, and quality of life;
- An evaluation of municipal emergency response preparedness and capability;
- Monitoring and review of Maine Department of Environmental Protection and federal
permitting processes;
- Public hearings and opportunities for public input;
- Drafting and consideration of new municipal ordinances, regulations, or standards
relating to biosolids thermal processing facilities.
Considering the work ahead, Herlihy observed, “it takes a lot of work, a lot of involvement, and a lot of engagement, so I hope you guys are ready. We’re looking for Sanford citizens to stay continually engaged.”
Herlihy likened the situation to the protracted process of developing regulations for the cannabis industry. “The marijuana guys made it through and they often showed up smelling like their job and they made it through. Thanks for doing all the hard work.”
She said the council works well together, and she wants to develop the same collaborative spirit with citizens. “I think by working on this ordinance and seeing where it goes, it’s at least a dialogue as opposed to a campaign, which doesn’t allow for good dialogue.”
After the meeting, the Sanford Clean Air and Water Coalition posted thanks on its Facebook page to everyone who contributed to “a win.”
“We want to express our gratitude to the City of Sanford, Council Members and our Mayor tonight for hearing the community outcry for action on both the data center and the sludge processing plant proposals. Thank you for stepping up to put people over profits, to perform due diligence through research, and to protect our natural resources from environmental harms. We did this as a community! So much effort has been necessary to make this happen. We’ve been working diligently for three months to make all our voices heard. We are celebrating this win, thankful for our community who pushed and pushed for this, while also knowing there is more work to be done.”
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