The residents of the western end of Schuylkill County took the opportunity of the Schuylkill County Commissioners first night meeting of 2024 Wednesday evening to reiterate their complaints of a foul odor outside their homes.

“It’s horrible, just horrible,” one woman said. “I can’t go outside my home.”

The complaints made the public comment portion at the beginning of the meeting to last approximately 35 minutes.

Commissioner Chairman Larry Padora questioned why the smell has gotten worse recently, while the suspected source - biosolids - has been present for many years.

One resident said the number of trucks bringing in the material has increased recently.

Padora said he intends to find answers to the problem at a meeting scheduled for April 15.

Renovations

One action the commissioners took at the work session was to approve renovations at the county Mental Health/Developmental Services/Drug and Alcohol office.

Cresswell Brothers General Contractors, Pottsville, will add three workspaces, one new office, one additional intake room, one photocopy area and a larger storage area for the prevention program under a contract not to exceed $155,308.

Due to permits received and construction planned for March 25, the commissioners approved the contract.