Petition forces biomass issue

GREENFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) - Greenfield residents have gotten enough signatures to force the town council to revisit a vote that impacts a proposed biomass plant.

Last month the town council voted, 6 to 5, to allow Mayor Bill Martin to enter into a contract with Madera Energy to sell the towns wastewater.

Madera Energy would use the water to cool its proposed wood burning biomass plant.

However Greenfield residents opposed to the plant brought a petition to the town to rescind the vote, forcing the council to either change their vote or go through a town wide referendum.

The group needed 5 percent of registered voters 582 signatures on their petition, they received over 1700.

They're worried that the wastewater, vaporized at the plant, would put harmful chemicals in the air.

"The health issues, the environmental issues, I think thats what prompted people to sign it," said Sandy Kosterman who helped collect signatures at the beginning of the month.

Not everyone shares their opinion.

"I'm for it," said Richard Hague of Greenfield. "The economy around here is really bad, you can't even get a dish washing job. People are on the streets, I think Greenfield needs the opportunity."

Opportunity for both jobs, and millions of dollars for the town.

Some council members like Thomas McLellan say they won't be changing their vote.

"I am totally convinced that the emissions coming from the stack are well within safe limits," said McLellan.

The town has already done one study on their wastewater which showed only one harmful chemical within safe limits if it were to be vaporized.

They're launching other studies to find out about pharmaceuticals and other chemicals in the water.

However organizers against the plant hope these signatures, and an eventual town vote will send a message.

"I think that would be a real touchstone, show the Mayor, and the other elected officials that the average resident in Greenfield doesn't want this Biomass plant," said Susan Weeks, another member of the group trying to stop the plant.

The town council will have to revisit the wastewater issue in February.

Town Clerk Maureen Winseck says she's checking with the towns attorney on when that town referendum would happen.

The town may have to pay for a special election to make it happen.