Pig Farm's Impact Under Scrutiny

US - A dispute between residents of a neighborhood on the southeast side of Tewksbury in New England, in the US, and a nearby pig farm over the stench of manure will not go away any time soon.
calendar icon 24 December 2007
clock icon 3 minute read

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"We're continuing to monitor the situation."
Lou-Ann Clement, Tewksbury health director

Last summer, after the neighbors complained that the odor was so strong they couldn't use their backyards, officials began investigating Krochmal Farm, forcing operators to revamp their storage, treatment, and use of manure.

The overhaul helped, but officials say they want to wait until next summer to see whether the smell is gone for good. The winter cold may mask any remaining problems, so the farm will remain under scrutiny, the officials say.

"The last time I was there, which was the end of November, things seemed to be looking really well," said Lou-Ann Clement, the town's health director, who says she visits regularly. "We're continuing to monitor it."

But David Powers, who lives nearby in a new development, said he believes officials could do more, particularly with respect to safeguards against possible contamination of local wetlands, streams, and aquifers.

Powers created a website called tewksburyodor.org to mobilize others bothered by the smell. In a single week, he said, he collected more than 300 signatures from like-minded residents looking for relief.

Powers said his goal is not to close down the farm, or its petting zoo, pumpkin festivals, and haunted hayrides: "I'm certainly not an antifarm person." Instead, he said, he wants to be able to enjoy outdoor activities with his family on his own property without the pervasive odor. He acknowledged it has diminished since the summer, but he fears its return.

"I'm doing this because it's wrecking my family's quality of life in summer, fall, and spring," he said. "Thank God it's winter."

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Source Boston Globe
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