Some residents of the west end of Schuylkill County are raising a stink over a stench.

The county commissioners got an earful Wednesday from residents about the air quality in their backyards.

“It smells like a cesspool,” one woman said. “We can’t go outside. We have no quality of life. We are at our wit’s end.”

Commissioner Chairman Larry Padora said he and Commissioner Gary Hess met last week with representatives of three companies - Liberty Soils, Stavola and Natural Soil Products.

“There are two different things going on on the west end - biosolids and land mining,” Padora said. “They offered to let us tour. I said I will tour there, but I will let them know five minutes before I do. I want to see their daily activities.”

Hess echoed what Padora told the companies.

“He (Padora) told them they need to be good neighbors,” Hess said.

“One of the companies goes over and above answering all complaints - Liberty,” Padora said, “Liberty has been outstanding in their follow-ups. The others didn’t have that.”

Commissioner Barron “Boots” Hetherington, who is a farmer by trade, said the smell is beyond what a farm gives off.

“Your complaints are not falling on deaf ears,” Hetherington said, “When a farmer spreads manure, it (the smell) is for two days. The neighbors accept it. It’s not 24 hours a day, seven days a week. These companies are not good neighbors. This is not acceptable.”

“The next step is to meet with the companies and DEP (the state Department of Environmental Protection),” Padora said, “Then we get the legislators, maybe even the governor involved. We are doing everything in our power to fight this. They have to stop doing it. We will keep the pressure on. After the DEP meeting, we will have a public meeting.”

On another matter involving the governor, Padora said Gov. Josh Shapiro is considering taxing Pennsylvania skill games.

“I hope the money stays in the municipality or in the county and doesn’t just go to Harrisburg,” Padora said.

Other business

The commissioners made a number of appointments.

McAdoo Fire Chief Robert Leshko was one of six appointed to the executive board of the Schuylkill County Fire Chiefs’ Association, along with: Frank Zangari, Girardville, chairman; John Blickley, Frackville; Gary Witmier, Pottsville; Dave Sattizhan, Pine Grove, and Scott Krater, Port Carbon.

Appointed to the same organization’s advisory board: Art Connely, Tamaqua; Jack Messner, Pottsville; John Kellman, Minersville; Ronald Radel, Sacramento, and John Matz, Deer Lake and West Brunswick.

Other appointments made were:

Jonathan Biros, Sheppton, to the Schuylkill County Zoning Hearing Board Feb. 28 to Dec. 31, 2028.

Appointed Francis Spokas, Tamaqua; Timothy McGinley, Ashland; Denise M. Moore, Auburn, and Anthony J, Prudenti, as the alternate to the Schuylkill County Board of Tax Assessment Appeals.

Recommended the appointment of Mike Tobosh, retired elected official of the City of Pottsville, to the NEPA Alliance Board of Directors.

Recommended the appointment of Noble C. “Bud” Qundel of Minersville to serve on the NEPA Alliance executive committee.

Noted the commissioners have changed the dates for their night meetings, each to be held at 6 p.m.: March 20, June 12, Sept. 11, and Dec. 11.