from the basement:

Memo to: E Jane Crocker, Earl Baxter and Laura Hoag

CC: Select Board

Date: July 15, 2020

Re: Norcross Hill – Complaint

On Saturday, July 11, 2020, I received an email from April Cover @ 9:10 a.m. This email pertained to the presence of a Casella vehicle around Norcross Hill and alleges that some type of “sludge”, prohibited by our new by-law, was being spread by said Casella vehicle.

After receiving the email, I contacted both Brian Postale, Bureau of Air and Waste at MassDEP and James Talvy of Casella Organics. On Sunday evening Mr. Postale reached out stating that Casella has not delivered anything to Norcross Hill or Templeton in the last year and that Mr. Talvy would be contacting me on Monday.

On Monday morning at 7:49 a.m. James Talvy of Casella Organics contacted me and provided the following information: Mr. Talvy was at the property of Red Tolman, as a longtime friend and fellow farmer, to introduce Mr. Tolman to a young man who can provide services for haying his fields and baling his hay, as Mr. Tolman is now 81 years old and needs help. Mr. Talvy also stated that he was there approximately 15 minutes and is very upset. Mr. Talvy also stated that as farmers they have rights and he will not abide by the harassment of individuals that have his cell phone number and could simply call and ask him why he was in the neighborhood.

Mr. Tolman and all agricultural entities have the right to fertilize with approved products, this does not include “sludge” based products that require special permitting from MassDEP. I have provided a copy of this memo to the Agricultural Commission.

I will continue to monitor the situation, and I will send MassDEP a copy of the re-instated/expanded by-law regarding “solid waste management”. At this time, I will not be taking samples of approved fertilizer that does not require special permitting by MassDEP

Templeton Health Agent.