A plan to use treated sewage sludge, known as biosolids, as fertilizer on an East Penn Township farm has been put on hold until at least July, as a court injunction remains in effect.

The East Penn Township supervisors filed a suit against Synagro Inc. and a local farmer who proposed to use the material as fertilizer. Judge Steven R. Serfass granted the emergency injunction prohibiting the use of biosolids until the case is heard.

Serfass originally scheduled a hearing on the suit for May 11, but both sides requested a continuance.

The case will now be heard at 9 a.m. July 17.

The supervisors have accused Synagro and farmer Dennis Cunfer of failing to submit an application to use biosolids under township ordinance No. 77.

It would not be the first time a farmer in the county has used biosolids, but neighbors are concerned about potential negative health impacts and runoff carrying the material into the Lizard Creek. They have packed town hall meetings and erected signs opposing the planned use of sludge.

Cunfer and his son, Justin, operate a farm located off Lizard Creek Road in the township. The farm is owned by Cunfer and his sister, Wanda Crostley. The state Department of Environmental Protection has approved their application to use biosolids.

The state Attorney General’s office is currently renewing the township’s ordinance after Dennis Cunfer’s daughter-in-law wrote a complaint that she believes it violates state law. While no legal action has been taken, the township did respond to the relative’s allegations through a law firm they hired to fight the sludge proposal.

The law firm also appealed DEP’s approval of Synagro’s application.

Representatives from Curtin and Heefner are scheduled to speak at a town hall meeting regarding the biosolids plan this week.

The public meeting will take place at 6:30 p.m. Thursday at the East Penn Social Hall, 403 Blue Mountain Road, Ashfield.

It’s the fourth meeting scheduled to discuss the plan since it was proposed in February.

Representatives from the Community Environmental Legal Defense Fund, who are drafting a new ordinance for the township, will also be on hand.