Tempers flared after the results of a study conducted to measure the level of noise generated by a business in Lower Towamensing Township were revealed.

Stephen Ross, representing Great American Pellets, informed the township's board of supervisors on Tuesday of the results of the unofficial sound study he recently performed to measure decibel levels claimed to come from Great American Pellets.Last month, residents Jeff Mizgerd and Dwight Moyer told supervisors the noise levels that arise from the alternative energy firm, located at 2115 Little Gap Road, have become unbearable.Ross said he did the study as a courtesy to the township, and made no guarantee on the results as he is not certified, trained, nor proficient in the field. The instrument used for the study was a Universal Enterprises, Inc., Digital Sound Meter, he said.As per the township zoning ordinance, Ross said that from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., a maximum of 85 decibels is allowed, and that from 10 p.m. to 7 a.m., a maximum of 75 decibels is allowed.Based on his study, Ross said 77 was the highest decibel reading he was able to come up with."With or without the plant running, these are the numbers I came up with," Ross said. "The meter I use doesn't even acknowledge that the plant is running."Mizgerd, who resides at 1660 Little Gap Road, said that doesn't change the fact that the noise that stems from the pellet plant."Evidently, what you say is what you say, but I was woke up at 2 a.m.," Mizgerd said. "And I'm a half-mile away."Moyer, who also resides along Little Gap Road, said a decibel reading of 130 can cause hearing loss."So over a period of time, you're going to have loss of hearing," Moyer said. "It's basically like having a motorcycle going by your place all the time."But, Ross defended the results of his study, and noted that the sound levels are much lower than zoning requirements, with essentially no difference in decibel levels at property lines whether or not the plant is in operation.Still, Moyer wouldn't have any of it."Then it's bogus information," Moyer said. "How can it read the same when it's running and when it's not running."Township solicitor Jim Nanovic told Mizgerd and Moyer that the pellet plant is in compliance with the rules of the township.Zoning officer Duane Dellecker said he has been on location a half dozen times."I cannot distinguish when they are running and aren't running," Dellecker said. "When I was out there on location, I found more noise coming from the street than the plant."However, Mizgerd said the pellet plan is "imposing their noise in a residential area."Not so, according to Dellecker, who said "the regulations say an industrial zoning district allows 85 decibels."Mizgerd said the noise has become a nuisance."The noise is driving me nuts," Mizgerd said. "It's still too loud."Moyer said he believes the township has left itself open to similar circumstances in the future."The township is having a business that's affecting residents with the noise level," Moyer said. "You have to start looking at new laws, because what you've done is open up a can of worms."Supervisors Chairman Ron Walbert said the business has indicated that it "has every intention of planting shrubbery" in an effort to reduce the noise level.Nanovic then told Mizgerd and Moyer the matter was a zoning issue, and, therefore, out of the supervisors' hands."We can only enforce our laws," Nanovic said. "They're complying with our zoning ordinance."Regardless, Mizgerd said he was concerned about his family's health."A constant noise, you never get used to," Mizgerd said. "You get tone deaf."Walbert said instances such as these are the reason why the township is in the process of redoing its zoning and Subdivision and Land Development Ordinance.Things then became heated after resident Herman Bollinger chastised Walbert for being the only supervisor to attend the pellet plant's grand opening last summer.Bollinger said Walbert should have gotten a sense for what the people who live nearby wanted."Don't ever try to sneak out of this," Bollinger said. "Now, we only have you to blame."Walbert told Bollinger "you always come back after the fact."Dellecker noted that all the permits were issued before the pellet plant held its groundbreaking.Mizgerd told Dellecker he still wasn't happy with the situation."I haven't see you there," Mizgerd said. "Give me a call; come up on my property."Dellecker then told Mizgerd he was merely following the rules as listed in the township zoning ordinance."From a regulatory standpoint, what can I do," Dellecker said. "This is a matter that needs to go before the zoning hearing board."Mizgerd said he planned to take the matter above the supervisors.