The owner of a Mahoning Township business that slaughters goats said he will remove a disputed fence by the end of this month.

Discussion on Alif Farms was once again front and center at Wednesday’s board of supervisors meeting.

Resident Todd Wingert kicked off the discussion by noting that due to the recent warmer weather, the odor coming from Alif Farms was starting to get pretty strong.

Wingert said what will end up happening if the odor is drifting is that the smell is going to go down to the Lehighton Elementary Center and people wondering what’s going on.

He said one of the goats got away from Alif Farms the other day, and that for safety’s sake, he’s concerned if goats get out onto Route 902.

Wingert also said garbage was starting to set out there again.

“I understand if it’s a slaughterhouse, you’re going to have an odor, but the other neighbors didn’t sign up for that,” Wingert said.

However, Supervisor Mark Schwalm said he visited the property early Wednesday morning, and that the garbage that was out was nothing but basic garbage.

Schwalm said everything is legit and checks out, which prompted him to question why the matter has to be revisited every meeting.

Attorney Holly Heintzelman said they haven’t slaughtered there for 32 years.

Schwalm said that the board of supervisors’ job is to make sure they follow all the laws and the rules.

A township resident said it isn’t that they’re against farmers, but rather the fact that the slaughterhouse is located right next to homes, and that the permit should never have been given.

Moeed Malik, owner of Alif Farms, noted that when Heintzelman’s family had the business many years ago, there’s no doubt they slaughtered.

Malik said that he has approached neighboring property owners about buying their homes.

That response didn’t sit well with Heintzelman.

“You’ve never offered a number, and you don’t have to because we’re never selling to you,” Heintzelman said.

Malik responded to Wingert’s earlier claim about one of the goats having gotten away from the business.

“There’s not been a goat on the run in the last 10 to 12 months,” Malik said. “If there’s anything said that’s not true, I will sue you guys.”

Heintzelman then argued that the permit only gives them the right for a slaughterhouse.

“If it’s a use only and they want to use the buildings for other (purposes), I think they should come back to you,” Heintzelman said. “They don’t have a permit for anything else, just a slaughterhouse.”

But, township zoning officer Ryan Wessner said the use is to the parcel itself, to which township solicitor Tom Nanovic said he agreed with Wessner’s assessment.

Pat Seyford, of Palmerton, asked if the property was fined.

Wessner said there was a notice of violation sent out on June 9 for the fence.

Heintzelman added there was a cease-and-desist order.

Malik said he slaughters in a certain time frame, between 6 a.m. and 4 p.m.

Schwalm said that during his visit, a USDA inspector was standing there.

Nanovic told Malik he appreciated him attending the meeting, and added it would be nice if he could continue to come to the meetings.

Board Chair Deb McGowan said a letter was received from Malik stating that he was dropping his appeal and the fence would be down.

It was agreed the fence would be removed by the end of this month.