State reps take on herbicide issue

LAKEVILLE ­— At long last, there is progress to report on the subject of spraying herbicides along the Housatonic Railroad Company (HRRC) tracks.

State Representative Maria Horn (D-64) and State Senator Steve Harding (R-30), interviewed on Sunday, both said that language was added to proposed bill 5219 requiring railroads to use the same herbicide standards in Connecticut that they use in Massachusetts, in accordance with that state’s regulations.

Horn said “it’s been very difficult to pin them down” regarding a meeting with railroad officials and a group of legislators and first selectmen.

But after the committee added the new language, the railroad agreed to a meeting on March 26.

Horn said, “It’s clear they are complying with Massachusetts regulations,” Horn said. “So, let’s do the same thing here.”

Harding said he and Horn “are on the same page” on the issue and looked forward to a satisfactory result for his constituents.

Both legislators are on the Environment Committee, Horn as a regular member, Harding as ranking member.