RESIDENT PETITION FOR WATER SILICA ABATEMENT EMERGENCY TOWN BOARD MEETING

RESIDENT PETITION FOR EMERGENCY TOWN BOARD MEETING

Concerning Silica Contamination in Household and Municipal Water

Town of Ballston, Saratoga County, New York

Section 1. Purpose

This Petition is submitted by residents of the Town of Ballston to formally request that the Town Board convene an Emergency Special Meeting pursuant to Town Law §62(2) to address the confirmed or suspected presence of silica and silica-derived particulates in household wells, private water systems, and any municipal or district water infrastructure serving Ballston residents. Residents further request immediate water silica level  testing for multiple local well water and municipal water sources (preferably at places where residents have complained of high silica levels), immediate publication of results, and immediate provision of safe drinking water to all who as for it.

Section 2. Findings

Residents hereby assert the following findings:

Silica contamination constitutes a significant public-health hazard. Silica comes in two forms polymeric and monomeric. By nature, silica, cuts like glass and, also, absorbs large amounts of water. Residents reporting severe symptoms including extreme pain, weakened immune function, muscle weakness, and other adverse health effects consistent with prolonged exposure to contaminated water.

No prior Town Board meeting has been scheduled or held specifically addressing silica contamination in Ballston's water sources.

No formal resident request has previously been submitted to the Town Board concerning silica contamination.

The Town of Ballston has statutory obligations under Public Health Law §§201 and 225, and under the Safe Drinking Water Act (42 U.S.C. §300f et seq.), to ensure that residents have access to safe drinking water and to investigate potential contaminants when formally notified.

The Town Board possesses authority under Town Law §§63 and 64 to investigate conditions affecting public welfare, commission studies, and take necessary action to protect residents.

Residents require immediate access to silica-free drinking water, including through a temporary bottled-water delivery program, until safe water-processing technology is established and verified.

Section 3. Requested Actions

Residents respectfully request that the Town Board:

Schedule an Emergency Special Meeting within 15 days of receipt of this Petition, dedicated exclusively to the issue of silica contamination.

Initiate water testing immediately, including private wells (voluntary resident participation), municipal or district water infrastructure, and groundwater sources supplying Ballston households.

Publish all findings within 3 days of receiving laboratory results, in a publicly accessible format.

Provide immediate access to safe, silica-free drinking water through a (polymeric silica-free, plus, low monomeric silica) bottled-water delivery program for all residents until remediation is complete.

Commission and implement safe and effective silica-removal water-processing technology, including engineering evaluation, system design, installation, and verification of silica-free output, and proper silica waste water/silica disposal.

Provide residents with interim mitigation measures, including filtration guidance, point-of-use treatment options, and safety recommendations.

Determine whether long-term remediation or infrastructure improvements are required and publish a timeline for completion.

Section 4. Authority

This Petition is submitted pursuant to:

Town Law §62(2) — Special Meetings

Town Law §63 — General Powers of the Town Board

Town Law §64(5) — Protection of Town Property and Safety

Public Health Law §§201, 225 — Duties of the Department of Health

Safe Drinking Water Act (42 U.S.C. §300f et seq.)

Section 5. Petitioners

The undersigned residents of the Town of Ballston hereby request immediate Town Board action.

Printed Name: __________________________________________ Signature: ______________________________________________ Address: ________________________________________________ Email / Phone (optional): _________________________________ Date: ____________________________________________________

(Additional signature lines may be attached as Appendix A.)

Section 6. Submission

This Petition shall be submitted to: Town Clerk, Town of Ballston 323 Charlton Road Ballston, NY 12027

A copy shall also be provided to the Town Supervisor, Water Superintendent, and Building/Code Enforcement Office.