Mahoning Township officials have been told a goat slaughtering business will lead to a health hazard.

Pat Seyford, of Palmerton, said last week that she was “absolutely appalled” by the slaughterhouse situation at the former Heintzelman’s Meat Market.

The property is owned by Alif Farms LLC, operated by Alif Meat Packing LLC, which advertises halal slaughter and live animal sales.

“It should never be there,” Seyford said about Alif Farms LLC, 124 Mahoning Drive East. “The individual who is the zoning officer should be relieved of his job, fired.”

Seyford continued, “The current owners are making a fool out of you,” and added “they’ve lied to you repeatedly.”

“A residential neighborhood should not have a slaughterhouse,” she said. “It was a big mistake.”

Seyford added that because this is how they’re going to continue to operate and they’re not going to respect the township’s laws, they have to play hardball.

“They brought in all these animals that have not been treated properly,” Seyford said, noting that the neighbors’ property values are tanking as a result. “Something needs to be done; it’s not getting better, it’s getting worse.”

Supervisors agreed with Seyford’s assessment.

Resident Holly Heintzelman, an attorney, asked if the board has received a report from the zoning officer.

Township solicitor Tom Nanovic said residents bring questions to the board, and the board gives them to the zoning officer.

Supervisor Deb McGowan said she finds its disheartening that a person with a question cannot get a direct answer.

Nanovic said he’s asked that the zoning officer be at all of the board’s meetings to answer questions.

Supervisor Ron Reeser agreed that it’s frustrating that people have questions and the board does not have the answers.

McGowan noted that the residents have been attending the board’s meetings month after month.

“It just seems like we’re not doing anything, and that’s not true,” McGowan said. “We’ve been there, we’ve seen (what needs to be seen).”

Resident Todd Wingert, who lives nearby, questioned whether the operation is common practice.

“This operation should not be there under any circumstances,” Seyford said. “You’re going to start having health hazards.”

Seyford said, “Somebody has to take the bull by the horns and hold them accountable.”

Another resident asked that if the previous owners said they were doing something and they weren’t, can the township revoke the license or permit they got under false pretenses.

“The zoning officer was wrong and he should not be getting a paycheck from you,” she said.

Nanovic said it’s not as simple to say they ceased operation.

“The issue that concerns me is they got a permit from the township; that’s what concerns me,” Nanovic said. “I do think the zoning officer should be here at our meetings so he can answer our questions.”

Supervisor Myron “Zeke” Blahy asked shouldn’t the residents have been forewarned that the operation was coming.

Seyford said the owners clearly expanded the operation beyond what the intent was.

Wingert said he believes the amount of property the owners are slaughtering on is too small.

Another resident noted that they’ve attended township meetings for the past four months and asked how can they advance, and where do they go from here.

Reeser said “it’s beyond frustrating.”

Seyford said “I think the thing should be shut down and the animals confiscated.”

Heintzelman then asked if anyone has made a Freedom of Information request to the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture.

Heintzelman has appealed the zoning officer’s decision to grant a permit for a fence at the former Heintzelman’s Meat Market.

The township’s zoning hearing board will meet at 7 p.m. Oct. 30 on an application by Heintzelman, who is appealing the July 9 decision by the zoning officer to approve a permit for about 600 feet of 4-foot-tall fencing at 124 Mahoning Drive East, next to her home.

She argues the permit was issued in error, citing an ordinance requiring corrals and outdoor animal confinement areas to be at least 200 feet from property lines or road rights of way. The installed fence, she said, is less than 20 feet from the line.

The controversy follows ongoing issues with Alif Farms LLC, which township officials said has been slaughtering goats at the property despite a violation notice.

At last month’s meeting, residents again raised concerns about Alif Farms, 124 Mahoning Drive East.

Wingert said the business is “not very good neighbors,” and Carol Etheridge said visitors confirmed animals are being slaughtered and sold there.

Township officials noted the company missed deadlines to file required waste disposal and odor abatement plans following a June 10 violation notice from LTL Consultants.

The notice cited unpermitted fencing, on-site livestock, and slaughter operations without state approval.

Attorney Adrian Cousens of Gross McGinley, representing Alif, said animals would no longer be kept overnight, though neighbors later shared video suggesting otherwise.

Residents also complained that Alif’s trucks block Route 902.