MONTICELLO — Things are heating up with the proposed county incinerator as Sustainable Sullivan co-founder Rebekah Creshkoff suggested that the Monticello Village Board adopt a stronger clean air law at the recent regular meeting.

She was referring to last August’s approval of a new solid waste management plan by the Sullivan County Legislature.

The Democrat previously reported at the village’s last meeting that a few residents voiced opposition to the project, which would potentially sit on the site of the old landfill in Monticello.

Creshkoff recently submitted a document to Village Attorney Michael Sussman that “makes pretty plain that a county or municipal government can adopt a stronger clean air law than the one the state or federal government has.”

“So there is a way that you guys could nip the incinerator in the bud,” explained Creshkoff. “I hope you find a way to do that.”

Sustainable Sullivan has been outspoken against the proposed waste-to-energy facility, also known as an incinerator, saying it would emit toxic emissions.

Upon Trustee John Barbarite’s request for reaffirmation that Sussman had the document, Creshkoff confirmed and added that Sussman would reportedly “look into it.”

Creshkoff also asked whether the landfill property was owned by the county or if the village was leasing it to the county. Barbarite confirmed that Sullivan County owns the property and that the Town of Thompson has purchased it.

“This I don’t know the answer to,” said Creshkoff. “But obviously, if the village or Town of Thompson is leasing it, then it seems to me that you can do what you want. [That answer] settles that. You can still pass such an ordinance ... the State of New York sets the floor, you can set the ceiling.”

Trustee Gordon Jenkins offered a glimmer of hope to Creshkoff, noting that Sussman would get back to them.

“He’s pretty much on board with the village board and what we’re doing and what we said we’re going to do,” stated Jenkins, referring to board members saying they are opposed to the incinerator.

Trustee Janice Davis also suggested that the incinerator situation would “be a long battle.”

“[It’s gonna be] years and years in courts and out of courts. I don’t think it’s anything that’s gonna happen right away,” speculated Davis. “[Because] so many people are against it, I think it’s gonna be in the courts for quite a while.”