The noise level at a recently opened alternative energy firm in Lower Towamensing Township continues to ruffle the feathers of several residents.

Resident Jeff Mizgerd asked the township's board of supervisors on Tuesday if it received his letter with regard to his concern over Great American Pellets, located at 2115 Little Gap Road.Mizgerd, who resides at 1660 Little Gap Road, said he disputed the results of a study that was recently conducted to measure decibel levels that emanate from the company."As far as these decibel readings, that looks all fine and good on paper," Mizgerd said. "How can a plant have the same decibel reading when it's running and not running?"Resident Dwight Moyer, who also resides along Little Gap Road, said the report shows "nothing factual.""You have a 60 decibel reading, and it's 72, which is over your [zoning ordinance] limit," Moyer said. "It does not meet your zoning ordinance."However, township officials said the results of the study came back at .72, which was well below the township's zoning ordinance.Regardless, Moyer said that along with not being factual, the report "was not well done.""Someone has played with this," he said. "How can it have the same points running and not running."Moyer said the noise at his home was louder than the vehicles that traveled it."When they're running certain equipment, it's louder," he said. "It was still louder than the traffic going by on the road."Mizgerd said the noise "echoes right through my house; mind you, I don't have my windows open."Further, Mizgerd said that when a company comes into an area, it's normal procedure for them to make a proposal, and added that he doesn't believe the company ever went before the township's zoning hearing board.Resident Pete Terp, a member of the township's Planning Commission, said the business "was close enough to the use there that it was considered a slide-over."Mizgerd then requested a copy of the last proposal of intent, as well as the terms of agreement to allow the company to operate."I'm looking for some sort of variance," Mizgerd said. "I'm just more than curious to see what agreement of terms the company had."Terp defended the planning commission's recommendation."It was a manufacturing business; we did not see any problems with it," Terp said. "I think if anything, if there is a violation of a township code, than [township zoning officer] Duane [Dellecker] would address that."Mizgerd said there are various other businesses along the highway that don't cause nearly the same amount of noise."That is not an industrial park area there; that is commercial residential," he said. "You don't hear a sound out of these buildings."Solicitor Jim Nanovic told Mizgerd the matter should be handed over to Dellecker."If this is a violation, we go to Duane," Nanovic said. "I also find it hard to believe the readings are the same."Also on Tuesday, supervisors agreed to spend $16,000 to have its zoning and SALDO ordinance updated.Penny Kleintop, chairwoman of the Towamensing Township board of supervisors, said she was in attendance to see whether Lower Towamensing would reaffirm to move forward with the Hanover Engineering proposal."We are really anxious to move ahead with it for rewriting the zoning and SALDO in each of the townships," Kleintop said. "It will save each of the townships $4,000 working together."The proposal will cost $32,000, or $16,000 for each of the two townships.Supervisors Chairman Ron Walbert said Lower Towamensing's current zoning and SALDO is from 1978."There's really never a good time to spend taxpayers money," Walbert said. "I think this is the time."Supervisor Todd Solt said the proposal was "very thorough."Kleintop said she believes the action is to "both of our benefits."Terp said "it's important not to get bogged down in nitpicking; we've got to get this done.""I just think it's a good move; long overdue," Terp said. "It behooves us to have zoning that's similar."In other business, supervisors:• Agreed to turn delinquent garbage collections over to CREDITTECH Collection Solution.• Approved the township's emergency operations plan.• Agreed to purchase shingles to replace old ones on the township garage roof at a later date.• Agreed to purchase a 16-inch cut saw at a cost not to exceed $1,600. Before that, they will check with the state contract.• Tabled a request to purchase a jumping jack/tamper.• Tabled a request to purchase a wood chipper.• Tabled a request by the Aquashicola Fire Department for each business to install a lock box.• Agreed to renew the contract of Bobby O' Gurek's Web Design.• Agreed to take out a quarter-page advertisement for Special Olympics.• Agreed to send one township employee to attend a flagger training course.• Agreed to apply for PLGIT P cards (MasterCard).• Rejected a request to have a supervisor attend Government Day 2011.