To: Local Government Officials, Planning Boards, Environmental Agencies, and Community Leaders

We, the undersigned residents, parents, educators, and concerned citizens of Hurley and surrounding communities, strongly oppose the proposed construction of a lithium-ion battery plant at the site of Coleman High School, located at 430 Hurley Avenue, Hurley, NY 12443.

Our concerns include:

1. Safety Risks:

Lithium-ion battery facilities are known to pose serious risks, including the potential for thermal runaway, fire, and explosion. These dangers threaten not only the workers at the facility but also the surrounding community - especially concerning due to the site's proximity to residential areas and a former school.

2. Environmental and Safety Impact:

The manufacturing, storage, and handling of lithium-ion batteries create a significant environmental hazard. Fires and explosions at such facilities can release toxic chemicals into the air, soil, and water, endangering local ecosystems and public health. The long-term environmental consequences of such incidents are well-documented and unacceptable near a populated community.

3. Missed Opportunity for Community Development:

The Coleman High School property is a large, valuable space that could be repurposed for housing, education, recreation, or local business development - all of which would benefit the community long-term. Turning it into an industrial site sacrifices those possibilities for private profit.

4. Traffic and Infrastructure Strain:

Industrial operations at the scale proposed will result in heavy truck traffic, increased noise, and strain on local infrastructure. Our roads are not designed for the level of industrial use that such a facility would bring, further jeopardizing public safety and quality of life.

5. Lack of Community Involvement:

Residents were not properly notified or involved in the planning of this project. Decisions with serious implications for public health, safety, and the environment must not be made without full transparency, independent review, and robust community engagement.

We demand:

- An immediate halt to all planning and permitting related to this project.

- A full public disclosure of the project's scope, environmental assessments, and risk mitigation strategies.

- A series of open town hall meetings to ensure that community voices are heard and respected.

- A commitment from local leadership to preserve the Coleman High School site for safe, community-oriented use.

We urge our elected officials and decision-makers to act in the best interest of Hurley's residents, children, and future by blocking the lithium-ion battery plant from being built at this location.