As of next year, people who drop manure in fields in West Penn Township will only have so long to leave it there.

Supervisor Tim Houser said at Monday morning’s board of supervisors meeting that they need to “notify these people” that they aren’t going to be able to drop manure in a field have it stay there.

“I’m not thrilled about biosolids,” Houser said. “Synagro has convinced our state (legislators) it’s OK.”

Houser reiterated that people who are bringing fertilizer in need to be notified.

Board solicitor Paul J. Datte concurred, and added that it isn’t that they can’t apply it during the winter.

Houser then asked whether the township should talk to the state Department of Environmental Protection about proper storage of manure.

Resident Carl Greves, who said the matter he has been dealing with has been addressed, believes it’s a difficult situation to deal with.

“The laws are all over the place,” Greves said. “It’s really complicated.”

Greves told the board last month he was concerned with the lingering smell of ammonia that existed at a neighboring property, specifically the manure piles across the street from his residence.

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

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

Greves said the fertilizer had been in the neighboring yard for 77 days.

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

Houser said at that time 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 Greve.

Resident Brian McQuillen said at that meeting he has experienced a similar thing, and 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.

McQuillen asked the board at that meeting if the township could 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.