FAYETTE – A public hearing on a proposed manure, compost, sludge and septage control ordinance will be held at 6 p.m. Tuesday, April 6, at the Starling Grange Hall.

The ordinance, which is in the exploratory process, would prevent local farmers from spreading out-of-town manure on their lands.

Farmers Berndt and Elaine Graf of Fayette depend on out-of-town chicken manure from companies like DeCoster Egg in Turner. If the ordinance passes, the once free chicken manure would no longer be an option for them, and they would have to buy chemical or composted sludge as outlined in the ordinance, according to reports.

A standard in the ordinance suggests that before farmers could use chicken manure, they would be required to notify adjacent landowners, furnish full “risk assessment data” to the town and possibly require a full public hearing.

“This is a public health issue,” said Planning Board member Clyde Walton.

The ordinance was brought about, in part, because of the odor given off by the particular manure being used and the potential runoff from manure into the town’s lakes and streams.

“We don’t want to hurt anyone during this process, which is why we’re having this meeting in the first place,” said Walton.

While nearly 200 residents have signed a petition supporting the farmers, Walton urges that those concerned show up at the meeting and voice their opinion. In addition, the town will provide a two-week, written comment period regarding the ordinance.

Walton said he expects some experts from the State Department of Agriculture to be on hand, as well as other speakers from throughout Maine’s agriculture industry.

“This meeting is important because it will give the Planning Board some accessibility of views, clarify the issue and hopefully bring it to a head within the community,” Walton said.

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