CORNWALL — The Housatonic Railroad Company’s (HRRC) legal team has responded to letters from local governments and concerned citizens regarding the spraying of herbicide along the track.
During the April 4 meeting of the Cornwall Board of Selectmen, First Selectman Gordon Ridgway reviewed a conversation he had with HRRC’s general counsel, Parker Rodriguez, for a long-awaited update on the issue.
“He informed me they had received our letters in years past and did say that they have cut back their spraying on the tracks,” said Ridgway.
Concerns about environmental and human health impacts have mobilized a group of citizens to form the Housatonic Herbicide Working Group (HHWG) in hopes of establishing a collaborative dialogue with HRRC.
“People are concerned. It is the contention of the science-based investigation of our group that it’s best to err on the side of safety,” said Heidi Cunnick, HHWG member and Cornwall’s Conservation Commission chair.
In addition to Cunnick, HHWG’s leaders include Kent Tree Warden Bruce Bennett, and Chair of Cornwall’s Town Commission Anna Timell. The group’s members represent five towns in the Northwest corner including New Milford, Cornwall, Kent, Falls Village, and North Canaan.
At the April 4 meeting, Ridgway said that he got the impression HRRC has sprayed less in the last two years than in previous years and that they have adopted a practice of mowing along the perimeter of the track. HRRC maintained that is still necessary to spray the railbed itself because of the impractical nature of mowing over gravel and rail ties.
“I do think there are issue beyond spraying that we should also be concerned about,” said Ridgway.
As discussions with HRRC move forward, Ridgway said curtailing the spraying of herbicide remains a top priority, but he would also like to discuss railway safety and hazards. Ridgway stated that he has expressed support for HRRC’s application to the state for more funding to repair the aging track.
The board planned to move forward with a meeting between HRRC, State Rep. Maria Horn (D-64), State Sen. Steve Harding (R-30), municipal leaders from the area, and a group of concerned citizens.
“I have talked to Maria Horn about getting a meeting together,” said Ridgway. “Trying to create a dialogue as opposed to passing conversations is good.”
“I wonder if there’s an opportunity to better partner with the railroad,” said Selectwoman Janet Carlson. “I have gone out there and weed whacked. We have to step up too.”
The newly formed HHWG has been working with representatives from the towns through which the railroad runs to advise on best practices in herbicide spraying. HHWG has recommended a two-pronged approach consisting of short-term and long-term solutions.
In the short term, they suggested halting the use of Method 240 herbicide due to its potential for contaminating surface water. They also requested HRRC clearly notify residents of spraying times, develop no-spray zones along sections of track, and communicate the type and amount of herbicide being used.
“Let’s have a dialogue so that we know what it is you’re doing,” said Cunnick.
As for long term solutions, HHWG recommended the introduction of state legislation similar to Massachusetts’ policies on the issue.
“If other states are successfully implementing practices that both keep the right-of-way clear of vegetation, and the methods that they use have been shown to be less impactful, than those are the chemicals and methods we recommend,” said Cunnick.
HHWG said they hope to work collaboratively with HRRC but have thus far not heard back on their letters.
Cornwall’s Board of Selectmen has stated intentions of including HHWG in future meetings and conversations with the railroad.
HHWG hopes to address their concerns prior to June, when HRRC plans to resume herbicide spraying on the track.
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