Mahoning Township has hired specialized legal counsel to represent it against a controversial meat operation.

On a unanimous measure, the township’s board of supervisors recently appointed Kate Durso as land use attorney at the rate of $250 an hour.

Before the vote, nearby property owner Todd Wingert asked where the township was at on the slaughterhouse.

Wingert mentioned the situation has been ongoing for about two years now and he was just waiting to hear the place gets its license pulled.

“Is there anything going to be done about this?

Neighbor Holly Heintzelman said the notice of violation was issued back in May and that nothing has been done.

“It’s getting worse, not better,” said Heintzelman, who added there are neighboring property owners willing to assist the township zoning officer if he needs help.

Resident Jim Golden said that in its heyday, the former Heintzelman’s Meat Market didn’t have truckloads of animals being dropped off at the site.

Golden added that they have videos of animals being dropped off, and that there’s been cows delivered there in addition to goats, not to mention barrels of waste being removed.

Supervisor Mark Schwalm assured residents their concerns aren’t being ignored.

Schwalm said he’s all about businesses in the township, but run properly.

“I wish I could fix it tomorrow, because I don’t like it either,” Schwalm said. “We’re doing our best in response to the residents’ concerns.”

Supervisor Ron Reeser said there’s no doubt a big mistake was made previously.

Golden said he was thankful to hear the township’s concern, and reiterated his stance that the business does not belong there.

“You can’t have this type of business operating so close (to residences), Golden said. “That kind of business does not belong butting up against a residence.”

Heintzelman said the residents hear that the township is working on it,

Township solicitor Marc Fisher reminded Heintzelman that the township just hired conflict counsel.

Board Chair Deb McGowan said the board plans to have a meeting with the attorney on the matter.

“Just give us time,” McGowan said. “It’s going to be expensive.”

At the board’s meeting in June, township zoning officer Ryan Wessner said he had submitted a three-page notice of violation that consists of an odor abatement plan, storage of animals within setbacks, and a rule within animal husbandry.

Wessner said that if Alif Farms didn’t comply by June 27, he would then send the matter to the district magistrate.

In May, Heintzelman asked whether Alif Farms had applied for any permit or plans to hold another festival in May like it did last year, which she said sparked the complaints, nothing this year’s festival was planned on school days.

Wessner told Heintzelman that he does not believe a permit would be required, explaining the slaughterhouse use applies to the parcel itself. Heintzelman argued the permit only allows operation as a slaughterhouse, and that additional activities could be considered a nonconforming use.