NORWAY — The Board of Selectmen on Thursday rescinded an earlier vote, allowing manure to be spread in a field at Lakeview Cemetery within 25 feet of the property line.
On May 6, the board extended the buffer to 200 feet after Steve Siskowitz said the manure is running onto his property.
On Thursday, Jerry Cleveland told selectmen he believed their decision was “not fair.” He spreads the manure and harvests hay from the property.
Cleveland showed the board that the U.S. Department of Agriculture determined the necessary setback for spreading manure is a minimum of 25 feet from the property line. He said he has followed every step the USDA required and spent $11,600 to “have that piece (of land) mapped out.”
Further, he said he is actually spreading a full 70 feet from the property line. If he has to stay 200 feet back, he can’t spread anything, which is necessary to ensure a decent crop, he said.
Town Manager David Holt took responsibility for urging the board to approve the 200-foot setback, saying he was trying to remedy the situation.
The board voted unanimously to follow the federal guidelines and rescind its previous vote.
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