A West Penn Township man said he’s concerned with the lingering smell of ammonia that exists at a neighboring property.

Carl Greves told township supervisors Monday morning about the manure piles across the street from his residence.

“I did a little research, and I’m particularly concerned about the smell of ammonia,” Greves said. “It’s worrisome; anytime you get winds, you can smell this stuff.”

Greves said the stench affects he and his wife in many ways, including they can’t have certain visitors over because of the smell.

“We can’t open our windows during day or night,” Greves said. “We can’t sit on the porch.”

Of even more concern, Greves said they worry about the long-term effects of exposure to ammonia.

Greves said the fertilizer has been in the neighboring yard for 75 days.

“The quantity of manure matters, the (length of) exposure matters,” he said. “Please figure out some way to make the individual a better neighbor.”

Greves asked the board if it could consider having the neighbor cover it with a tarp, or have him use another fertilizer.

Supervisor Tim Houser attempted to address Greves’ concerns.

“I think the issue here is storage and how soon should it be on the field so (the odor) dissipates,” Houser said. “I think the big issue here is how soon does it have to be spread on the fields.”

Houser said that the township is an agricultural community, and added that the Right to Farm Act “makes things very difficult. It’s a little bit of a difficult problem.”

It was noted that the owner doesn’t live at the property across the road from Greves.

“We’re kind of hand-tied because of the farmers Right to Farm,” said Houser, who added it’s similar to the issues the township has with water extraction and manure management. “We’re restricted.”

Greves said he understands, but that when it becomes almost a permanent fixture, that’s when he takes exception.

Resident Brian McQuillen told the board he has experienced a similar thing.

“It is the long-term industrial storage; it was never a problem before,” McQuillen said. “I think this is going to be something that’s going to increase rather than decrease.”

McQuillen asked if there’s a way to limit something that can be considered an industrial operation.

Houser said that’s where a manure management plan is going to come into play.

“We don’t know if we can regulate that or not,” Houser said.

McQuillen asked if the township can check with the Pennsylvania State Association of Township Supervisors to see if there’s another way so it does not counteract the Right to Know Farm land.

Board Chairman Tony Prudenti said they must comply with all state and federal regulations.

Houser suggested that perhaps the township could check with Lehigh Township or South Whitehall Township to see what kind of ordinance they have.

McQuillen said all he was asking is to include that in the township’s new ordinance as a way to protect from industrial operations.

Houser took a rather direct approach to explain how he sees things.

“There’s a difference between good farming and farming,” Houser said. “I will protect the good farmer.”