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of .arketing.
C. To pay an additional One Dollar and Fifty
Cents ($1.50) per week per calf when the calves are marketed.
3. R!!~slbilities of Feeder. r~t~er hereby agrevsl
A. To house, feed and medicate the calves and to
provide heat if necessary and to otherwise care for such calves
in such a manner that would create a satisfactory environment for
the ralsing of special red veal calves.
B. To allow Owner and/or the agents, servants,
workmen and/or employees of Owner access to the veal barn at all
tim.s for all purposes, including but not limited to the
inspection and/or examination of the Facility and the calves.
C. To pay One Hundred (100\) percent of the costs
of cleaning and disinfecting the said calf pens at the end of
each growing cycle.
D. To furnish the calves with such labor,
supplies and materials as may bo required for their proper care
and maintenance in accordance with the best course of husbandry
practice in the area where the Facility is located.
E. To regularly and systematically inspect the
calves placed in the Facility by the Owner for symptoms of
sickness or disease and to immediately contact Owner upon the
discovery of any such symptoms. Upon receipt of such notice,
Owner shall use his best judgment with regard to determining what
is reasonable and necessary tor the proper care and maintenance
of each calf exhlbltlng sald symptoms.
3
F. To comply with all laws and regulations,
Federal, Stata, County, and MuniCipal applicable to the oparation
ot the Facility and the performanca of this Contract.
4. Record Keepina, In addition to any records
required to be kept by law, the Feeder shall keep and maintain
complete and accurate records showing, among other things.
A. Date ot d~ath tor each calf which dies whiJ~
in the care of Feeder,
B. For each calt culled, a record ot the live-
stock sales slip, date culled, weight and sale price per pound.
The Owner shall have the right to examine at the
Feeder's principal place ot business during normal business
hours, any of the records required to be kept by the Feeder
pursuant to the above section of this Contract, or any other
records kept by the Feeder pertaining to the pertormance ot this
Contract or the calves placed in the Facility by the Owner.
5. Title and risk ot loss. Title to any calves, the
feed and the medication shall remain in the Owner and the Owner
shall bear all risk of loss or damage to such calves except;
A. Loss or damage caused by the breach ot this
Contract by the Feeder, and
B. Loss or damage caused by the negligence or
other fault ot the Feeder or any ot the Feeder's agents,
servants, workman and/or employees.
6. Hold harmless, The Feeder shall indemnity and hold
,
4
the Owner and the property of the Owner, including any calves
placed in the Facility by the Owner, free and harmless from any
and all claims, liability, los., damage or expenses arising,
A. By reason of the injury to or death of any
person or persons, including employees of the feeder or employees
of any Contract or hired by the Feeder or by reason of the damage
or destruction of any property or properties caused by or
connected with tha performance of this Contract by the Feeder,
his agents, contractors, employees, workmen or servants,
B. By reason of any work performed on or any
materials furnished to calves placed in the Facility by the Owner
by any person or entity other than the Feeder at the instance or
request of the Feeder, his agents, servants, workmen and/or
emp loyees,
C. By reason of the Feeders failure to comply
With any requirement imposed on him or his performance of this
Contract by any duly authorized governmental agency or political
subdivision;
D. By reason of the Feeders failure or inability
to pay as they become due any obligations incurred by him in
performing this Contract.
7. Term of Contract.
be from, Jift 3, /cJC:;/
During the term of this Contract
The term of this Contract shall
until ,..d~L ,--1 /99 'i
Owner agrees to place and feeder
'2., "
agrees to accept
number of calves for each of
7
growing cycles. for the purposes of this section a growing cycle
5
is defined as a sixteen (16) week maximum period.
8. Relationship ot Parties. This Contract does not
and shall not be c
to create a relationship ot joint
venturers or partn rs between the Owner and the Feeder. Neither
party to this Cont act shall be liable for obligations incurred
by the other and n ither party shall have power to charge to the
credit of the othe obligations or liabilities incurred by it in
performing this Contract.
9. Miscellaneous.
A. Notices except as otherwise expressly provided
in this Contract or by law, any and all Notices and other
communications required or permitted by this Contract or by law
to be served on, given to or delivered to either party hereto,
Owner or Feeder, by the other party to this Contract shall be in
writing and shall be deemed duly served, given or delivered when
personaJ,ly delivered to the party to whom it 1s addressed or his
agent, servant, workmen, and/or employee at the following
addresses I
1. To the Owner,
Wayne A. Harcho
176 Orchard Lane
Harleysville, PA
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2. To the Feeder. ~~\,\,
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B. This Contract shall be
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binding on the heirs,
administrators, executors, successors and assigns ot the parties
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WAYNE A MARCHO
GROWER/ROOM COMPLETED CONTRACT REPORT
SDMVCONT.RG 08-03-92 Pg - 3
Mareho Vesl 0-08
Grower Number I 010e Grower I SHIRK, JOHN 8.
Stsrt Date I 01/31/92 Slaughter Date I 06/01/92
Desorlptlon Detail
Tetsl Calf Charges.
100 . le9.90
Truoklng/Buylng Expense I
Labor Charges I 99 x 17.43 x
(oalves x weeks x price)
3.00
IBS Charges (calves x fee) I 100 x
10.00
F"ed Costs I Starter
18-18 Grow
14-18
16-18 Build
200 Bags' 31.38
200 Bags' 25.2e
o Bags'
721 Bags' 23.37
Average Bags. 11.32
Total Feed Costs I
Medlcetlon .
Other Inventory Costs I
Veal Cheok Off Program,
96 Weight x
1 Weight x
2 Weight x
We I II h t x
Cu II We I ght
1 Calf Deaths
100 Celves
Prloe
Prloe
Price
Pr I ce
24042 .
167 .
314 .
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Totals,
Bonus
Cull Percentage. 0.00 Advsnced
Murtallty Pet. 0.01
2550.00
Total Weight Gained
Average Da I I Y Ga I ned
29325.52
2.43
Average Weight Gained I
296.21
Feed Oays
Feed Weeks
I 122.00
. 17.43
Dollar Amount Due the Grower.
2628.71
Room I
2
2.03
1. 60
1.50
0.00
Debits Credits
le990.47
600.00
e176.71
1000.00
827e.00
eoeo.oo
0.00
16853.37
--------
28178.37
2184.36
0.00
99.00
4880e.26
267.20
471.00
0.00
0.00
e3228.91 49543.46
Gross (Cr.-Or) I -3885.45
.
WAYNE A MARCHO
GROWER/ROOM COMPLETED CONTRACT REPOAT
Mlrcho Veal 0-06
SDMVCONT.RG 04-10-92 Pg - 3
Grower Number ,0106 Grower, SHIRK, JOHN B.
Room I
Start Date, 12/06/91 Slaughter Date I 04/09/92
Description
Detsll
Debits
Credits
Total Calf Charges.
107 II 171.83
183B6.91l
Trucking/Buying Expense I
619.00
Labor Charges ,96 ~ 17.86 x
(calves x weeks x price)
3.00
6090.10
IBS Charges (calves x fee) , 107 x
10.00
1070.00
Feed Costa, Starter
16-16 Grow
14-18
16-18 Build
200 Bags' 31.38
200 Bags' 26.25
o Bags II
636 Bags' 23.37
6276.00
6060.00
0.00
14843.12
Aver'age Bags, 10.89
Tota I Feed Costs .
26168.12
Medication I
Other Inve~tory Costs,
Veal Check Off Program.
2040.20
0.00
89.00
86 Weight x Price 20289 . 2.03 41186.67
1 Weight x Price 167 . 1. 60 267.20
2 Weight x Price 290 . 1.40 406.00
We I g~,t x Price 0 II 0.00 0.00
4 Cu II Weight 400 II 300.00
14 Ca I f Deaths
107 Calves Totals. 53462.40 42169.87
80nus Gros a (Cr.-Dr) , -11302.63
Cu II Percentage . 0.04 Advanced 2700.00
Mortality Pct. 0.13
Total Weight Gained
Average Dally Gained
24216.69
2.1 e
Average Weight Gained I
272.12
Feed Days
Feed Weeks
I 126.00
I 17.86
00 I I ar Amount Due the Grower I
2390.10
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n UIJHlu oC UI") (l) llh.~h l'..'illq l''1l1dl III 11I1I~ 111111111'1'" (IOU)
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VlJrt:lcnl IMtllm olr )'.;!II, Illluwlll'l I"xJIII" 111'1 dill I
proposed COIlt.OUl.'!i at. lnl'nrvulH ut two (:~) to\"'11
I!, 1\11 l)ruport.y and hlL lilll'ti IIH:LmILlltJ dIIllI'IH.lllllrl, .1'lIl1
tho tJlza uf the u I h~ ,'xl'rtlHH('d I.Il .,,:n't: '" tl'llldl'll runtl
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tl"J lC1cntiul\ of .lIl oxiut.inq :Itn'otu, dl'ivt'!I, IJl'hur
nccotitlW~lyti, ann p.lt'killCl nrtl.lli, w't'.h"iflt'lIl'lIlolliIlH
IH''If\ClJrllill'l wi,lt Iltl, 1','WI..'IIIPIlL I Yl"'~u nlld Clllltil rllI't inll,
.111.1 ltlt.:vdthll\M:
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l.htl locat iOIl ol! allY mdtltinq hod itlU of Will PI' fir
Wlltcrcourscs, builciinqs, ,<Jtr.ucturoB ancl nl.hur pul,ll<J
OL" privata rncili t:iuu, illclutlinq c.J!lrlldd t,....,:ku tJuu
r.lcilitic~, and JOY ~llhlJr lIi1l'lU...l und 1". 11I-lIlold. , rltnt:\lcou
.Jff'l.!ctillC), or nf'((,!ct~'d by, llu.] I,rop<?sncl .Il~t ivll.y at"
,,'eve lopmullt r
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the loca t ion of t IIll flo0<1 1'101 in lJoundury Ii,,,,,
information and spot elevation" concernJII', till' onll-hundred
(100) yaar flood elevations, alld ilformal'I,," """carnin']
the flow of water including direction a"d velocitiesJ
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tile location of all \lroposed buildings, "tru"'tu~es.
utilities, and any othtlr impriJVement!l' fl"eJ
h. flny other information which th.. munlc:lp"lity """oidor"
I\l.!cessary fqr adc4uatc review of thu~a\,pl i ci1Lion.
4. Plant] of all proposed bui ldJ n(J~, Hlr1Jcl'.uruu .lIul j ,1'llur
improvement$, clear ly and legibly drawn ill. ~H1 i t'I,I,}o scalo
showing the following:
,I. ~uf ficlently dota iled archi te!; tural or 011'1 in""ring
drawings includinl) II'Jor pllllU::J, section:., .Jud
exterior building clcvationu, as arpropri,ltl~;
h. for any propoued bui ldinq, thn t!luvi\l" lon .,f 1111.'
l\.)west floor (includinq kJclsomr.nt) ilnn, .w r\'qllirad,
t.he alevation o( any oLhur flt,or;
c. complete information concerl1t,nq f"lood dtqll IH', 1,"us~\lrQ9,
velocities, impact and uplift forces, a,,,1 <111",1' fActorS
associated with I'he one hundred (100) y"ar fl,,,.h
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8'
ORDINANCE NO. ~-75
AN ORDINANCr:: OF ~'HB 1Il0WNSHIP OF NORTH
NEWTON, CUMBr::RLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA,
PROHIBITING THE MAINTENANCE OF NUISANCE
AND PRESCRIBING PENALTIES TH!1:RE01"
BE IT ORDAINED AND ENACTED BY 'L'HE TOWNSHIP OF NORTH NEWTON,
Cumberland County, as follows:
,.
,sECTION 1. DEFINITIONS: The following words as used in this
ordinance shall have the meanings hereby respectively ascribed
thereto:
(a) Nuisance: any use of property within the
" Township of North Newton or any condition upon any property
within the eaid Township that, other than infrequently or
occasionally, shall cause or result in annoyance or
disturbance to persons beyond the boundaries of such
property, interference to the health and/or safety of
persons beyond the boundaries of such property; and/or
disturbance to or interferance ,ith the peaceful use of
the property of others in the Township, in any case taking
into consideration the location of the use or condition,
and the nature and condition ~~ the surrounding neighborhood.
(b)Person: any natural person, partnership,
association, firm or corporation. In this ordinance, the
singular shall include the plural, the plural shall
include the singular, and the masculine shall include the
feminine and the neuter.
SECTION 2. UNLAWFUL TO MAINTAIN NUISANCE: It shall be
unlawful for any person to create or malntuln any nuisance any-
where within the limits of ~he Towndhlp of North Newton.
SECTION 3. AU'l'HORITY FOR 'l'OWN.6iHIP TO AllA'l'E NUISANCE AT
EXPJ:.'NSE 01" OWNER OR OCCUPAN'l'. Any person who shall create ot
maintain any nuisance anywhore within the Town~hip of North Newton
shall, within tell (10) days after notice from the Board of
Supervisors to do so, remove or abate such nuisance. If such
person shall fail, neelect or refuse to remove or abate such
nuiaance within such time limit, the Board of Supervisors shall
have authority, in persoll or by their agents and/or employees, to
remove or abate such nuisance, and, in so doing, shall have
authority to enter upon the property of such person in default.
Thereupon, the Board of Suporvisors 6hall collect the cost and
expense of such abatement or removal, from the person who created
and/or maintained such nuisance. such person havinfj failed.
neglected or rofused to remove or abate such nuisance, in the
manner provided for t.he collection of municipal claims or by an
action 0' assumpsit without the filinG of a claim. Provided:
such coSt and expense may be in addition to any penalty imposed
under the !ourth section of the ordinance.
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In The Court ci C.::mmO:1 ple::s or C~r_::"-::iiri=nd C;,::w:--;~'YI ?snMsyl'Ie:r:i:::
Jack T. Polk and Beverly J. Polk
"llS.
Select Veal Feeds, Inc.
" 94-4767 Ci.vil Term
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AUQust 29. 1994
:9_ r. S:-~R1:::? OF C~GE:=..!.~'ID CO't..i'l':''!. ?~ c!o
==-...!7f c!..;:ue:: cb.: Sl='..:i oi
Montqomery
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direct the odor in a particular direction. Additionwly, the nolsfl of the fans can be heard from
various directions.
33. Denied. The operation of the vew cwf barn in question, and in particular the use of the
fans in the manner described within Plaintiffs' Complaint continues to cause injury, damage and
hurt to the Plaintiffs and does constitute more than mere inconvenience, annoyance, or discomfort,
34. Denied. To the contrary, Defendants' activities preclude Plaintiffs from being able to
make full use and enjoyment of their property, including an outside pool area.
35. Denied, for the reasons set forth within Plaintiffs' Complaint and this Answer.
36. Denied. To the contrary, Plaintiffs have continuwly made suggestions to Defendants 88
to how they could remedy the situation with the least amount of inconvenience and expense.
37. Denied. The noise and odor emitted from the barn would cause a person of normal
sensibilities to be affected in the ways set forth within Plaintiffs' Complaint. Plaintiffs" Complaint
does not wlege that the effect is solely upon Plaintiffs, but that the effect is a generw one, flowing
from Defendants' wrongful activities.
38. Admitted that Plaintiffs have averred no such facts. Denied that such facts must be
ave.-red. Additionally, Plaintiffs do hereby allege that their sensibilities are those of normw personll
and that the activities complained of within their Complaint are not related to the question of
whether those affected have normal or other types of sensibilities.
39. Admitted that the raising of veal cwves on the farm constitutes a normw agricultural
operation. Denied that the fashion in which Defendants are undertaking this activity i8 considel'ed
normal.
40. Admitted,
41. Admitted.
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JACK T. POLK,
BEVERLY J, POLK
: IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF
: CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
1)laintitTs,
-VS'
NUMBER: 94-4767 Civil Term
MR. & MRS. JOHN B, SHIRK,
RUFUS H. SHIRK,
SELECT VEAL FEEDS, INC.
Civil Action - In Equity
Detendants,
ANSWER AND NEW MATTER
COMI'; NOW, the Defendants, Mr. & Mrs, John B, Shirk, Rufus H, Shirk and Select Veal
Feeds, Inc., by and through their attorney, Sally J. Winder, Esquire, and answer PlaintitTs'
Complaint as tollows:
I. Admittcd,
2. Admitted.
3. Admitted,
4. Admitted
5. Admitted in part and denied in part, It is admitted only that Defendant Select Veal
Feeds,lnc., is a for profit corporation with a corporate address at 176 Orchard Lane, Harleysville,
Pennsylvania 19438, and that this Defendant was highly involved in the design of the barn in
question, All of the remaining aspects of this averment are denied, To the contrary, this
Defendant does not contract with Detendant John B. Shirk tor the raising of veal calves in said
barn,
6, Admitted,
7, Denied, To the contrary, the municipality of North Newton Township, in which
both propertics are locatcd, has no zoning ordinancc,
8, Admittcd,
9, Admitted.
10, Denicd, liS aller rcasonable invcstigation Defendant~ are without knowledge or
Information sutllcientto limn a bcliefas to the truth of this averment.
\I, Admillcd,
12. Admilled.
13. Denied. To the contrary, the calf barn constructed by Defendants is located
approximately One Thousand (1,000) feet from the boundary line between the Shirk property and
the Polk property and is located even further Iromthe Polk house, which appears to be set back
approximately One Hundred (100) feel from the boundary line,
14, Admilled in part and denied in part. It is admilled only that Defendants' calf barn
contains various tiers oflims which serve the purpose ofvenling the barn. All of the remaining
aspects of this averment are denied, To the contrary, the fans which vent the barn are not high
powered. The smallest fans (14 inches in diameter) are operated by one-sixth (1/6) horsepower
motors; the larger fans (18 inches and 24 inches in diameter) are operated by one-third (1/3)
horsepower motors; the fans are low powered. The fans vent in the direction which is at least
forty-five (45) degrees olT of a line drawn from the corner of calf barn nearest to the Polk
property to a point approximately in the center of the rear property line of the Polk property.
15. Denied, as aller reasonable investigation Defendants are without knowledge or
information sutlicient to form a belief as to the truth of the this averment.
16, Denied To the contrary, no loud noise is connected with the Defendants' barn, the
calves therein, and the resulting use of fans. No odor which could be termed or defined as
objectionable or noxious is connected with Delendants' barn, the calves therein, and the resulting
use of fans. There exists no reason, connected with Defendants' bam, the calves therein and the
resulting IIse of fans, why Plaintills should be unable to quietly enjoy their property in the manner
in which they have become accustomed and in the manner expected for the location of Plaintiffs'
property,
17. Denied. On the contrary, the fims which are fourtccn (14) inchcs in diameter and
run by one.sixth (1/6) horscpower motors run continuously at variable specds. the speeds being
selected according to thermostatic controls inside the calf barn. The larger fans, being the fans
with diameters ofcightcen (18) inches and twenty-four (24) inches run at a single spced,
whenever thcrmostatic controls inside thc calf barn, reacting to thc ambient temperature inside the
barn, turn on thcse larger fans.
18. Denicd. To the contrary. the sound coming from the fans in question is the sound ,
of fans. Thc sound of the fans does not have a high pitch; thc sound of the fans does not rescmble
the sound of a forage harvcster.
19. Denied. To the contrar;, Defendant John B. Shirk has never acknowledged or
admilled that the sound of the fans resembles a high pitched electric motor or a forage harvester.
Defendant John B. Shirk did on one occasion statc to Plaintiff Jack T. Polk that the sound of the
fans was similar to sound of a forage harvester being operated a mile or morc away from location
of the person listening.
20. Denied. To the contrary, no intrusive noise and odors are emilled from
Defendants' property which the Plaintiffs, or anyone of normal sensibilities, should have to toke
any action to avoid. As to the averments of behavior modification on the part of Plaintiffs as
alleged in this paragraph, said averments are denied, as aileI' reasonable investigation Defendants
are without knowledge or information sutlicient to form a belief as to their truth.
21. Denied. To the contrary, there are no mailers described in the Complaint which
Plaintiffs, or any persons of normal sensibilities, should have to take action or allempt to resolve.
There are no conditions which Defendants should, undcr any reasonable circumstances, have to
take action to alleviate. As to the conduct and behavior of Plaintiffs and counsel stated in general
terms in this paragraph, they are denied. as after reasonable investigation Defendants are without
knowledge or information sumcientto form a belief as to thcir truth.
22. Denied. To the contrary, thcre are no problcms which it is necessary to alleviate.
Defendants have installcd hoods constructed of a solid insulating material over top of and along
the sides of the largest Twenty-four (24) inch diameter Ii\ns, and allege that a reduction in $Qund
coming from said fans may have been achieved, although Defendants can not distinguish any
difterence in the level of sound before this Illoditication as compared with the level of sound after
this modiOcatioll.
23. Admilled in part and denied in part. It is lldmilled that Defendants have removed a
number of trees between the barn and the Polk property, which removal has been necessitated by
wind damage to said trees. All of the remaining averments of said paragraph are denied. To the
contrary, there cxist no noise and odor problems associated with the barn in question, and the
removal of trees has not made the sound and smell associated with the barn change in any respect.
24. a. Admilled.
b. Denied. On the contrary, the sketch allached to the permit application
shows a distance of Two Thousand Five Hundred (2,500) feet between the barn Bnd the Eastern
boundary of the Shirk property and a distance ofTwo Thousand Five Hundred (2,500) feet
between the barn and the Western boundary of the Shirk property and a distance of One
Thousand ( 1,000) feet between the barn and Springfield Road as measured along the land leading
from S, :'1"field Road to the calf barn. The sketch nowhere suggests that the barn would be
located Two Thousand Five Hundred (2,500) fcetfrom the Plaintiffs property line.
c. Denied. To the contrary, the permit application complies properly with
Township's standards as those standards have been historically applied, and a valid building permit
was issued in response to the permit application and allached sketch which were submilled to the
Township Building Permit Ollicer.
25. Denied To the contrary there is no noise or odor problem connected with
Defendants' calf barn which needs to be alleviated. and there are no reasonable methods of
reducing the sound of thc fans and the smcll associatcd with the calf barn.
a, Denied. To the contrary, it would not only require an unreasonably
expensive and major change and modilication of the barn to relocate fans to other side of the
barn, but also the other side of the barn faces the prevailing winds in this geographical location,
and the siting of the barn and the location of the fans was determined in part due to the direction
from which prevailing winds blow.
b, Denied. To the contrary, no nuisance exists on the Shirk property which
needs to be blocked out. As to whether any type of wall near the barn would reduce the sound of
the fans, Defendants deny these aspects of the averment, as after reasonable investigation
Defendants are without knowledge or intormation sufficient to form belief as to their truths.
c, Denied. To the contrary, no veal calf operations are located on any
neighboring farms in the area, Larger lans could not be used in this calf barn, since the ventilation
system with the fans that are in use is a system to exhaust heated air from the interior of the calf
barn and creates a low pressure within the calf barn causing cool air to now into the barn from the
other side by virtue of the prevailing wind patterns and the lower pressure inside created by the
operation of the exhaust fans. Larger fans than those currently used in the Dellmdants' veal calf
barn; would not provide the required vcntilation, and would not efficiently remove warm air and
direct cooler air into the barn the larger lans would also not allow additional cooling of the veal
calves by the continuing movement of air across their bodies as is currently the case with the
ventilation system as now installed and operating.
26, Denied, To the contrary, Defendants deny that there is any noise situation which
needs to be solved. As to the investigation of the Plaintiff Jack 1. Polk and the learning he has
done regarding fans, these aspects of the averment are denied, as aller reasonable investigation
Defendants are without knowledge of in lor mati on sullicicntto lonn a belief as to their truth,
Wm;/U';FO/U\'. Dellmdants demand judgment in their favor and against Plaintiffs, together
with reasonable costs,
NEW MATTER
27, I)aragraphs 1-26 of the Delendants' answer are Incorporated herein by reference as
if fully set torth.
28. A valid building permit lor the calf barn in question has been obtained Irom the
North Newton Township Building Permit Onicer.
29. The construction of the calf barn has been done in conformity with the terms and
conditions of the building permit which was issued by the North Newton Township building
permit ollicer.
30. The conduct of Defendants in designing and constructing the veal calf barn in
question has not been unreasonable or unlawlul in any respect.
31. The opcration of the veal calf barn in general and the operation of the 'ventilation
fans in particular, by Detendants Mr. & Mrs. John B. Shirk has been done in a reasonable and
proper manner, considering the fact that the historical charactcr of the neighborhood has been
agricultural tor many years and continues to be agricultural in nature.
32. It is impossible for the ventilation fans used in the veal calf barn to carry any smell
associated with the operation of the veal calf barn as Iiu as the Plainlill's' property line. At a
distance of One Hundred (100) feet from the ventilation fans, no movement of air caused by the
operation of the fans can be detected. At a distance of One Hundred (100) feet or more from the
veal calf barn in question, no smells associated with the operation of this barn are detectable.
33. The operation of the veal calf barn in question by Defendants Mr. & Mrs. John B.
Shirk has not caused injuries, damage or hurt to the Plaintill's and, if any inconvenience,
annoyance or discomtbrt has been caused to Plaintitl's, such inconvenience, annoyance and
discomfort is minimal and does not constitute conduct or behavior on the part of the Defendants
Mr. & Mrs. John B. Shirk which would give rise to injunctive relief on behalf of the Plaintiffs.
34. The manner in which the activities of operating a veal calf barn are maintained or
conducted by the Detendants Mr. & Mrs. John B. Shirk does not constitute a substantial invasion
of the propeny rights of Plaintills, and the veal calf barn is not unreasonably maintained by
Defendants Mr. & Mrs. John B. Shirk.
35. The Plaintitfs are not entitled to any injunctive relief against the Dettmdants.
36. None of the requested varieties of injunctive relief sought by the Plaintil1's in their
Complaint could be given to them without substantially and unreasonably prejudicing the propeny
rights of the Defendants Mr. & Mrs. John Il Shirk.
37, The conduct and behavior of Defendants Mr. & Mrs. John B. Shirk in operating
the veal calf barn in question would not cause any inconvenience, annoyance or discomfon in
terms of noise or odors to any persons of normal sensibilities.
38. Plaintills have averred no facts which would warrant them being treated as other
than persons of normal sensibilities.
39. Defendants Mr. & Mrs. John B. Shlr:t's raising of veal calves on the farm
constitutes a normal agricultural operation.
40. Defendants Mr, & Mrs. John B. Shirk's raising of veal calves Is conducted on real
estate which is more than ten( I 0) contigous acres in area.
41. The veal calf operation of Defendants Mr. & Mrs. John B. Shirk had lawfully been
in operation for more than one ( I ) year prior to the commencement of the instant civil law suit,
which was commenced on August 23, 1994.
42. Plaintill's action is barred by the provisions of 3 P. S. sections 95 I through 957,
entitled" All Act protecting agricultural operations from nuisance suits and ordinances under
circumstances," 1982, June 10, P. L. 454, No. 133.
.
JACK T. POLK,
BEVERLY J. POLK,
IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF
CUMBERLAND COUNlY, PENNSYLVANIA
Plaintiffs
v.
No. qlt - L/7 fD -, Ell. kr (\'')
CML ACfION - IN EQUITY
MR. AND MRS. JOHN B. SHIRK,
RUFUS H, SHIRK,
SELECf VEAl. FEEDS, INC.
Defendants
~
You have been sued In coun. If you wish to defend against the claims set fonh In
the following pages, you must take action within twenty (20) days after this Counterclaim
and Notice are served, by entering a written appearance personally or by anomey and
fUlng In writing with the Coun your defenses or objections to the claims set forth against
you. You are warned that if you fail to do so the case may proceed without you and a
judgment may be entered against you by the Court without further notice for any money
claimed In the Counterc:laim or for any other claim or relief requested by the Plaintiff.
You may lose money or property or other rights Imponant to you.
YOU SHOULD TAKE THIS PAPER TO YOUR lAWYER AT ONCE. IF YOU DO NOT
HAVE A LAWYER OR CANNOT AFFORD ONE, GO TO OR TELEPHONE THE OFFICE SET
FORTH BELOW TO FIND OlIT WHERE YOU CAN GET LEGAL HELP.
Cumberland County Court Administrator
Cumberland County Counhouse
Third Floor
Carlisle, PA 17013
(717) 249-1133 or 697-0371
3. The Defendllnt~ Mr. 1111I1 MI'Il. John B. Shirk, hu~bllnd IInd wife, currently
re~hling at :\85 Springfield HOlld, Shippen~burg, Cumberland County, Penn~ylvllnill 17257.
4. TIll' Defendant Hufus H. Shirk i~ Ihe reeord(!d owner of the property locllted lit
385 Springfielll HlllUl, Shippl'n~burg, Cumberlllnd County, Pl'nnsylvllnill.
5. The Defendant SEU:CI' VEAL FEEDS, INC, b a for profit corporation with a
corporate IIddr~~~ at 176 Orchard Lane, Harlt~y~ville, Penn~ylvllnia 19430. Thi~ Defendlllll
WIIS highly involved in the dlsign of Ihe bllm in que~tion, and continue~ to contract with
Defendant John B. Shirk for the rui~ing of vl'al calf in ~aid ham.
6. The Defendants Mr. lInd Mrs. John n. Shirk haYt' resided at the ahove address
for at lea~t the last tlm'e years.
7. The land on which the proPl.rties of Plaintiffs and Defendant~ Mr. and Mrs.
Shirk are situated i~ zoned Agricultural.
O. The propertie~ of Pluintiffs and Dl'fendallts Mr. and Mrs. Shirk arc immediately
adjacent to one another.
9. The approximate acn'age of Pluintiffs' property is 4.5 acres, and the
approximate acreage of Defendant Mr. and Mill. John B. Shirk's property is 175 acres.
10. Plaintiffs huilt the homl' described ahove approximately twelve (12) years ago,
specifically because of tilt' rural, peact'ful und secluded nature of the surroundings.
11. Whl'n Plaintiffs purchased the above property and built the horne, there wa~
nota cnlf barn locuted on Defl'lldunt Mr. and Mrs. John B. Shirk's property.
2
12. Since Plalntifl'~ built their hOllie, oml within the pa~t two yeol'\l, Defendant~
hove con~tructed, or hove had con~trucled, a large calf barn on Defendont Mr, and MI'\I. John
B, Shirk'~ property.
13. The calf bum con~tructetl by Defendollt~ ill located approximately 500-600 feet
from the Polk houlll'.
14. Defenduntll' cull' bum containll vurious tiel'\l of high-powered fails which serve
the purpose of venting the barn, whidl fOils ven! in the direction of Plailltiffs' property.
15. Until Defendllnts' construction of the calf barn, Plainliffsand their family had
olwaYIl enjoyed spemling time oUI~ide in their yord, in the swimming pool area located on
their property, or thc ~creened porch orea, in order to allow them the eounlry selling of the
property.
16. Due to the loud noise und odor connected with DefendulIls' barn, the ealves
therein, alld the rcsulting use of failS, Plaintiffsure ullablc to quietly clljoy the:r property in
the manner to whieh tht'y have bccomc occustomcd and in the monner expccted for the
locution of this property.
17. During thc wintcr monlhs, lhe fons dCllcribed obovc ure utiliz('d by Dcfendallls
on a daily bosis from upproximlltely 3:00 p.m. 10 11:(){) p.m. During lhc lIummcr months,
the funs run much of the duy und cvening, and ut 0 highcr inlcnllity than during the winter.
18. The noill(' cmiUing from the fallll dCllcribed obove illloutl, rellembling the sound
of n high pitchcd electric motor or foruge harveslcr.
3
19, In a (lrevlolJ~ di~cu~~ion bctween Jack T. Polk and John B. Shirk, Defendllnt
hu~ acknowledgcd amI Ulhnilled thatthc de~cri(ltionabov,' of the noi~e emilled from the fans
is an accurate description.
20. Plllintiffs huve nUlll,' various allempt~ to uvoid the inlru~ive nature of the noise
IInd adOi'll emilled frolll Defendants' property, but haY<' be,'n unuble to do so, short of
Plaintiffs remaining in~ide their home with th,' windows clo~ed.
21. Plaintiff~ have mllde numerous allelllpt~, both pel'llonally und through countlel,
to resolve the muliers described above but, to dute, Defendants huve tuken no action to
alleviute these condition~.
22. Defendants have Illude very minor efforts to ulleviate the problem with no
results produced.
23. Since constructing the calf barn, Defendants have removed numerous large tree~
in the barn area, which has ,'xu,:erbated the noise and odor problems as~ociated with the
burn.
24. The circulllstances surrounding the August 27, 1991 building pennit applicution
(copy ullu(:hed) of Def"lulant John B. Shirk for construction of the barn at issue demonstrate
the following:
II. The p'~nnit application fllils to revelll that any fllntl would be instlllled,
and the pennit did not include funs.
b. The pennitapplication sugge~t8 that the barn would be locuted 2500 feet
4
from Ihe Plainlifl'~ properly Ihll', wherell~ the dislulI<:e it! ~igllifiellnlly Il'S~.
e. TIll' pl'nnilappliculioll fuiltl 10 clJlnply prop,'rly with lown~hip stulldurdJo,
in Ihul un uppli,:ulion for such U permit rl"luiretl II plun of tla: ~ile, showing Ihe exucl ~i7.e
und locution of the proposed construction, 1101 well us uny l'xisting buildillg~ III' tllnwture~ on
Ihe property (~2.02, Ordilluncc 8:1-:1, ellltl:led Murch 7, 198:1 (ulladll'd)).
25. There ure u nUlllber of ways in which Ihe noise and odor probll'lII could be
allevialed. Those knowlI to Plaintiff 01 include Ihe following:
a. The funs could be rdocaled to Ihe other end of the bam ~o Ihul Ihey
blow in a different dircctioll;
b. A lIois,' reducing wull could be built lieuI' Ihe burn in order 10 block oul
Ihis portion of Ihe nuitlullc,~; and
c. Larger, low-noise fllllS could be intltalled with venling 10 redirect the
emi~tli()ns, which type of 1'111101 Plaintiffs know 10 be ill plllCe ill neighboring farms in Ihe area.
26. Upon invetlligation, till' Plaintiff, Juck T. Polk, has leurned Ihatn tloluliolllo Ihe
noise silunlion is readily IIvnilable; that being till: illstallntion of larger bladed fans which are
less noisy Ihan Ihe Sill nil ,'I' size funs which Defenuunl uses in his ham.
WHEREFOHE,for the nbove-refemlCed reasons, Plailltiffs respeclfully requesl of this
l1olloruble Court thnl it exercise ils e'luilabl,' powers 10 direct Defendants 10 take appropriale
aclion in nn expedited milliner, to nll,'villte the eOllditiollS which inlerfere wilh Plninliff~'
quiell'njoyrnent of Iheir properly. Such rdil'f should include taking uppropriule aclion such
5
I verify thutthe ~lull'lllcnt~ Illude jlllhi~ COlllpluintllre lrue and correct, I undel'lJtand
thut ful~e ~tutelllent~ herein life Illude ~ubjt!Cl to the pellllhie~ of 18 Pa.e.S. Section 4904
relating 10 un~WOnl flll~ificlltion 10 IIUlhL)ritie~.
7
.
/
.~
mLlCATlOII lOR BUILOINO PERMIT
SI/pm4sors Of Nor/b Nelli/Oil TOWluhip
M. 0.2, BOX..6 82
r.; N~WVILL~, PENN5VLVIINIA 17241 I rJ '.;
OAT[) A1PLICATlOlt NQ. /l.'i!
Apjlllellt to ~.rt(y ..d. to th. Town.~lp of tlort~ lI..ton lor. B.tldlng P....., t 'n
confO,.tty wHh the r.qutrtmtnU of the Building Permit Ordln,nc. of the Town.hlp of Harth
Newton .nd .ny Imln~mtnt, thereto for the fOIIOW,ng.delcrlb.djOrk:
Prop.rty Location .. i L /7, ,t' 1:/1 ,,( I. A:~
"I '-4 ~ ,- -
The und.rltgn.d .ppllcent hereby appll.5 for. permit to: I 6c)
Ertet . Wueturt 1/ Eltlmtt'd eDIt I ,<1'). ()/J/)
Add to . &tructurt I ' '~ ' ,
Alter.ltrlOctur. --.- 'tt S;;-::~... ' \J:;.-" 1
Repatr. Itructurt .: "-..'-' '(.).1
(rect I stgn i."__O).""",: L J J
Oth,r /J ~
Present un of Property: ..... I l .'
Proposed list of Proplrty: t:' ~. ,'r ..0"')1' ./ ...
Submttted h.rfWlth is I dimensional ph" of the lot showing propo5ld work .nd/or I.hting
Itructure and ut-blc~ or yard lines, numb.r of housekuping \/n111 th.fUt1dinQ h design.d
to .eeOlll11. Od.to:. .. >, . ....:./i ,~
tlAl1E OF' ' , . . (/ ,.
o.n.. .' k '" ....J<..I,A .k Add"'. ~', - ...,.J.,r^,-~, (. .i~ - //,(;j
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Contractor .' ,J . ,. Addr.u
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Signature of Appltcant Addre~s
BUILOING PERIlIT OFFICER'S REVIEW
.~etl Ordinance ~tquirtmtnts
Ves _~
No
DATE OF ISSUANCE
R.no" for Dental
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PERIIIT NO,
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Permtt Eftecth, 'or 6 months
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.,. BU!LOINO PERlIIT fleER -:,' )
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AN ORJ)XIfANCE REQUT~~NG M.L PERSONS,
PARTN~RsIIIPS, BUSINk:SSES, AND CORPORM'TONS
TO OBTAIN A BUIUlING PERMIT POll ANY CUN-
STRUCTION OR OEVEUlI'KENT, PROIIIDINCl FOR TnFo
ISSUANCE OF SUCH DUIUlINCl Pt~RMITS, sr.l"rU<<l
FORTH CERTAIN MINIMUM REQUIRDlENl'S FOR N!:oW
CONSTRUCTION AND DEVEUlPMElfl' WITKIN MEAl!
Of' THE: TOWNSHIP Wlllcn ARI~ SUBJECT TO FLOODII<<l.
AND ESTABLISHING' PENALTIES FOR ANY PERSONS
WHO FAIL, OR IU:FUSE TO CQlPLY WITH, TilE
REQUIREHENl'S OR PROVISIONS" TillS ORDINANCFo,
IS IT ENl\CTf.'O /\NO ORdAINED by the Township of North Newton
A. It shall be unlawful for any person, partnership,
buRin..s or corporation to undertake, or cause to be
undertaken. any construction or development anywhere
within the Township unlese a Buildinq Permit has buen
obtained frQII the Buildinq Permit Officer.
,
Qlnlbllrland County, ponnsylvania, and it ill hnreby enactod an" ordaln~ bV
the authority of the same as follOWS'
ARTICLE I CENERAL PROII ISIONS
Section 1.00 Intent
The intent of'this Ordinance iy t.OI
A. promote the general health. welfare. and satety of the
cCJlllllunity.
,
B. Encourage the utilization of appropriate construction
praotices in order to prevent or minimize tlood damaqe in
the future.
C. Minimize danger to public health by protecting water
supply and natural drainage.
D, Reduce financial burdens imposed on the oanmunity, its
governmental units, and ite residents, by preventinq
excessive development in areas subject to tlooding.
Section 1,01 APplicability
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B. A Building Permit shall not be required for minor
repairs to existinl) buildings or structure..
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n UlJall.l of Ullt} (I) a lid. 11."011 "lIltdl ll. I"I'~ 1111Iult'1'11 lIOU)
f"'I,I' ur hHIH, tilluwil\lj 11,,- fl_llnw.II'U
d. Ihll'lh an'lIW, tw,d.. dlld d,d,':
h. Il'IM1oI...."phy h.llU'" 11111111 II...,' NIl' illllolt li,...h I i.'
Vurtical Patum of I'.;.!", t1huwil\ll I')(iut ill" dlld
proposed cont.OUI'1I lit. I III "rvllI" lJl two C'l ,,,...1 I
If. ..,11l'r4)pol'IY Dud h)L Jilll'd illl'llldlwJ diulI'ln.illll~l, :t'tlll
tho ttize of tho tll h! ,,,)CPI..trUI..,, in .".'n':i ,., tlqu....n funt,
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lit thu lClCllt.ion of lall mdut.inq Ul:I'I'olu, dI'IVI'tI, ul"hur
n(:cOtHIW"Vti, and IMrkill(J .u....Uti, wit.h t'lf'unu.11 iun
nnncurnSuq wiltt IUI, p.'W~III1'''l I YIIl,a; ,alld ('''11111 nll'l iou,
,u1'1 ttluvl,t hlfH"
4J. tho location of' ,lilY uxjutinll hocli(H~ of Wo,t c'r 0['
watercoursos, bulldlll<]fl, strcucluro" and Ill.hu. 11l11.11c
O~ Ilrivate faciIHilJ", Includl"" tail",,,,, I'r...:kll ..",J
f.1cilititJti, and tJny ut hur lIi&llU'id and 1...III-II,,&dl' t"uiaturnu
af(octinq, or affect,.t hy, lh" I'ropq,"xl ,,,'llvILy or
developmentr
f. the location of tho flood pl.dn hound....y 1111''',
information and spot .'Icvatlon~ conccrldll'l Ih.' OIlC-hllndn.od
(lOO) year flood elllvations, dnd illforll\al'lIIII "onccrninlJ
the flow of water including direction allll velllcitioa.
q. the location of all proposed buildings, Iltructll~cS,
utilities, and any othllr imprllVementHI 11,.1
h. /lilY other information which the municll'illtty """older"
nacesaary for adequato review of the i'}Il'licilLlon.
4. plana of all proposed bulldln<JH, "trucl',llr"" ,'1Il1 ..I lour
improvement~, clearly and legibly drawn ill ",,11'0,,01.. sCI.lo
showing the following'
.1, flutficiently dctalled architectural or 01l'lin"'Jrln9
drawingfl includlnlJ Iloor 1'1,)1111, ..octlon.., alld
exterior building olevationu, as appro!,r;"I"r
h. for any propo"ed bulldinq, the "lev.,t Ion Ill' I h.,'
l,,')wcst floor (includinll basornent) il,nd, .an n>lllltrcd,
the clevat Ion of any other f )o"r.
c. compl.ete information conccrlliwl flood (hq'th~i, 1'~'OHH\lrC9,
velocities, impact allll uplift forco.., ill'" 011..,1' ("clora
associated with the one hundred (l00) y,'ar flll..1I
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BBVBRLY J. POLK,
Plaintiffs
IN THB COURT OF COMMON PLBAS OF
CUMBBRLAND COUNTY I PBNNSYLVANIA
v.
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CIVIL ACTION - BQUITY
MR, and MRS, JOHN B. SHIRK,
RUFUS H, SHIRK, SBLBCT VEAL
FBEDS, INC"
Defendants
NO. 94-4767 CIVIL TERM
IN RE I DEFENDANTS' MOTION FOR JUDGMENT ON THE PLEADINGS
BEFORE HESS and OLER. JJ.
ORDER OF COURT
2.'itL day of March, 1995, upon careful
AND NOW, this
consideration of Defendants' Motion For Judgment on the Pleadings,
along with the briefs and oral arguments presented on the matter,
Defendants' motion is DENIED,
BY THE COURT,
...
J.
Samuel W. Milkes, Esq.
52 Bast High Street
Carlisle, PA 17013
Attorney for Plaintiffs
Sally J. Winder, Esq.
701 East King Street
Shippensburg, PA 17257
Attorney for Defendants
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JACK T, POLK/
BEVERLY J. POLK/
Plaintiffs
IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF
CUMBERLAND COUNTY / PENNSYLVANIA
v.
CIVIL ACTION - EQUITY
MR. and MRS. JOHN B. SHIRK,
RUFUS H. SHIRK/ SELECT VEAL
FBEDS / INC. /
Defendants
NO. 94-4767 CIVIL TERM
IN REI DEFENDANTS' MOTION FOR JUDGMENT ON THB PLEADINGS
BEFORE HESS and OLER. JJ,
OPINION and ORDER OF COURT
Oler / J.
This action in equity for injunctive relief arises out of an
alleged nuisance in the form of noise and odor emanating from a
veal calf barn operated on land next to property of Plaintiffs.
For disposition at this tims is a motion for judgment on the
pleadings filed by Defendants. The motion is based on a statute of
limitations contained in a certain Pennsylvania law relating to
agricultural operations. For the reasons stated in this Opinion,
the motion will be denied.
Facts
The Plaintiffs are Jack T. Polk and Beverly J. Polk, husband
and wife, residing at 409 Springfield Road, Shippensburg,
Cumberland County/ Pennsylvania. They own a residence located at
that address and have lived there for the last twelve years.
Defendants John B. Shirk and Rufus H. Shirk, husband and wife"
reside at 385 Springfield Road, Shippensburg, Cumberland County/
Pennsylvania; they have lived at that address for at least the
past three years. Defendant Select Veal Feeds, Inc., is a for-
NO, 94-4767 CIVIL TERM
profit corporation with a corporate address of 176 Orohard Lane,
Harleysville, Pennsylvania.
The properties of Plaintiffs and of Defendants-Shirk are
immediately adjacent to one another. The approximate acreage of
Plaintiffs' property is 4.5 acres and the approximate acreage of
the Shirk property is 175 acres, Defendants-Shirk raise veal
calves on more than ten contiguous acres of their property; the
role of the corporate defendant with respect to this operation is
in dispute.
When Plaintiffs purchased their property and built a home upon
it, there was no calf barn located on the property now owed by
Defendants-Shirk. Within two years preceding the filing of the
complaint, Defendants-Shirk constructed, or had constructed, a
large calf barn on their property. Defendants' oalf barn contains
various tiers of fans which serve the purpose of venting the barn.
Plaintiffs allege that serious noise and odor problems are
associated with the barn, depriving them of the quiet enjoyment of
their property.
Plaintiffs further allege that the barn was not constructed in
accordance with a permit application filed with the township
wherein the properties are located. In a reply to new matter
Plaintiffs admit an averment of Defendants that the "veal calf
operation of Defendants[-Shirk] had lawfully been in operation for
more than one (1) year prior to the commencement of the instant
2
NO, 94-4767 CIVIL TERM
civil law suit ..,." However, Plaintiffs deny "that the fashion in
which Defendants are undertaking this activity is considered
normal, "
Statement of Law
It is well settled in Pennsylvania that a motion for judgment
on the pleadings should be granted only in cases where there are no
issues of material fact and which are so free from doubt that a
trial would clearly be a fruitless exercise. 3 Goodrich Amram 2d,
S1034(b)12 (1991). It has also been said that where the rules of
law are not clear, the court should be "especially wary" of
granting a motion for judgment on the pleadings. Id.; Jeffries v.
Hoffman, 417 Pa. 1, 5 n.1, 207 A,2d 774, 776 n.1 (1965).
"A motion for judgment on the pleadings is in the nature of a
demurrer in which all of the opposing parties' well-pleaded
allegations are viewed as true, but only those facts specifically
admitted by the objecting party may be considered against him."
Ithier v. City of Philadelphia, 137 Pa. Commw. 103, 105, 585 A.2d
564, 565 (1991). "In ruling on a motion for judgment on the
pleadings, [the court] must limit [its] review of the facts to
those appearing in the pleadings themselves, keeping in mind that
the moving party admits the truth of all allegations of his
adversary and the untruth of his own allegations that have been
denied. Kline v. Pennsylvania Mines Corp., 120 Pa. Commw. 7, 9,
547 A.2d 1276, 1277 (1988).
3
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JACOBSEN & MILKES
52 E~st High Street
C~rllsle. PA 17013-30tl5
Tel 717 249.6427
Fax 717 249-8427
Samuel W. Milkes
Andrea C, Jacobsen
March 28, 1995
Honorable J. Wesley 01er
Cumberland County Courthouse
1 Courthouse Square
Carlisle, PA 17013
ael Polk v, Shirk
Dock.t No. 9.-.767
Dear Judge 01er~
You may recall that on December 22, 1994, I praeciped to list
this CaBe for trial. Scheduling was deferred pending resolution of
Defendants' Motion to Dismiss, which has now been denied. As an
action in Equity, I am therefore requesting that the matter be
scheduled before you at your earliest convenience. Thank you,
Very truly yours,
JA~~;C~~~
~ w.-Milkes
SWM\can
cc I Sally Winder, Esq.
Jack '1', Polk
(corr)03l60ler.pol
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JACK T. ~ULK owl
8~V~;IU. Y J, l'III.K.
I'Lalnllrla
IN l'U~; CUUI\'r OF CUMMON PLE^S OF
CUMIlF.RI,^Nll COUN'l"t. P~NNSYLVANr^
Numbur ~4-4/b7 Civil rerm
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MR. AND MI\S. .JoIlN SUllO<, CLvll A<:tlon - In Equity
RU~'US II, SIIIRK, nntl
5ELI>C'r VEAL n;ws, INC"
l>of~lldants :
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D~fI>ND^Nl'S' BRIEf SUR
llEH:NOANTS' ~1()TlON FOR JUOOMEN'r ON TilE PLE^IlINGS
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History of thu Cos..
PLalntHls II Lll,1 LhuLr u'luLty ocllon against defendonts on August 23,
1'19/.. TIi., "olllplalnL IIvurru<l LhnL pLolnUlis, Lonll-tim" residunt,' st. 409
SpringfLuLd Roo<l, ShLppunsburll' PI. 17257, cannot quietly anjoy thair
propurty In nil IIpprul'l'late monnur, bu<:ausa of snd due to noise snd odor
"
'I omsllBting [roln II ,:nll.' barn opuratud by del.n<lont.s, Hr, and Mre, John 8,
,
Shirk, on a fsrm which bor<lers plsintLffs' property.
I,
Pis Int Lffa' prayur for equLtoblu reUef requests the Court order snd
direct doC..n<lonLs to tsk~ appropriato acllon (with respoct to the noise snd
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odor .'Ranotlng rrom thu caLf barn) to alLuviate the conditions which
Lnterrore wiLh plalnLlffs' quiut cnjoymunt of their property,
Deren.lanls f.' ll'!'.1 an answor, containing new mstter, to the plaintiff.'
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compislnL, 'I'hu porL Lon ot Lhu new matLer llerman.. to the issue befare tho
Court ralsu<l AS n <I'lfllns" tho nppLlcabLLlty of tho statute entitLed "an Act
"
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protocting ngricul LllfOL opcraLLons (ruin nulsance sults and ordinance undor
clrcumsLano.:es," 1~!j2, .Juno 10, P.L. ,.51" No, L33, The now matter av,"-rod
the folLowlnil ta"tSl
39, Dero.:n<lulltq Mr. .. Hrs, John Shlrk's ralsing of veai cslves on tho
fllnn cunstLtutus a normal 8ilrl"uLtursl overation,
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.:!.:.S. I'unlluy Can.!. !!.!!!~ Co" nil 1'... Sup,)r, 267, 476 A,2d 1322 (984).
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I)efllndnnl~ cunlonol Lh..t lhls In just such a Cas8,
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'rho 0I0C""110 rnlno<l I.n lhls cnso \, u..slcally a atatut.. of limltation.
'rhe atntut., ""y.' chnt If . "Ilorlllol lI11rlcuLtural op"rotlon" has ll!xisted Cor
t) yunr IJl' rnor...., prLor Lo 0 IHll~tJlh':l..! !full boln~ broughL against Ll, thtt
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nulsonc.! suiL ls harrod. I'lo1lnlHls h"vl! admitted the fact t.hat defondants'
vllo1 calf opuratlon hod lawfully boen in ol'oration Cor mol''' than a yeor
b"fore L1", lnw sult ',,,rnmunced, nnd lhoy hava admltted the fact thal
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deCundanls' vUlll cnll ol'oration is conductod on more than ten contlguouo
ocrus, thls largo on 01'00 buing ono ol the criteria imposed by lhe
legisloturo on lho duflnLtlon of "normal agricultural operation",
Plolntiffs also admlt that thu roislng of veal calves on the form
constitulos " normal agricultural oporation, Thus, 011 of the legislatlve
criterin havu ueen met, and the Court should conclude lhat plaintiffs' law
suit ls borru<l by thu stotutu, an.J thot dofendonts sre entitled to judgment
un lhe pleadings os a motteI' of law.
1'101.ntHfs hnve, howovor, thrown a clinker in the works. 'ies, they
I i say, Wt.} admit lhuL dl!(endonts' vl,'ol calf opuration constitutes 8 noemal
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agrlcultural operation,
But, Lhuy s"y, we duny that thuir normal
agrlcultural OporOl1.0n ls ulldurtokun in 0 normal Cashlon, And, they say,
theruCoru, thu statuLo doos not ..pply, and defendants should not hove
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judgmont on Lhe pLuadinSs ~rontod in their Caval',
(,oSicolly, what ore the plolntlffs saying? They aI''' saying that the
defund..nls' normal a~rlculLural operation is conducted ln an abnormal
mallller, What thoy ol'e saying is potently ridiculous, Tho plaintiffs are
trying to havo their cake ond eat it, too, They cannot do this, 'rhe
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I%\H'II'I', Hilt LISTING CASE I'OI( AlHil.!:\IE~
lMlhl he IYIl~",llIell alld Nubllllll~d III tlullllclIl~1
TO TilE I'ROHIONOTAltY ;01' CUMIlUH.ANIJ COliN IY:
"Iou," "" III. wllllln 1111111\'1 fllr III~ noxl:
I ~ I "r~,ltllll ArgulllolIl (""111
)( Arglllnon'l'lIulI Februury 1, 1995
C AI'TlON OF C ASI
(fnllr~ cUI"hlllIlIUN' ho ,'utod 1IIIIIIIl
JACK T, POLK, BEVERLY .1. POLK,
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MR, AND MRS, JOHN B, SHIRK,
RUFUS H. SHIRK, SELECT VEAL
FEEDS, INC,
-
40
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( llefendulIl)
v..
NO, 94-4767 CIVIL TERM
CIVIL ACTION EnUITY
- '
lIIIaXX1(lIl1l1l1XXxxxt~XXXXXXXXXlOOO{XXXJtltxxxx
I, Slale mallo' '" he urgued (I. e.. plalnlif!", 1111111011 for lIew Irlal.
defendulIl', delllurrer 10 complaint, 0'0.):
Defendllnts' Motlon for Judilm(tnt on the Plendlnp; 's
2. Idenllfy counsel who will argue ca,e:
(a) for plalnllff: Samuel W. N 11 kes
(b) fo, defelldanl: Sa 11y J. Wlnder
J. I will nollfy all parlle! In writing within Iwo d.ys Ih.,lhls case hu been
listed for argulllenl._
J/)JrA~_____
Def endant
(Ju'e": December 23, 1994
,
.
JACK '1', POLK,
B!VERLY J. POLK,
Plaintith
IN TH! COUR'l' OF COMMON PL!AS or
CUMBBRLAND COUNTY, P!NNSYLVANIA
v.
CIVIL ACTION - EQUITY
MA. AND MRS. JOHN B. SHIRK,
RUFUS H. SHIRK,
SBLECT VBAL FEEDS, INC.,
Defendants
NO. 94-4767 CIVIL TERM
ORDER OF COURT
AND NOW, this \ ,tl.day of March, 1995, upon consideration of
Plaintiffs' Motion To Dismi.s Defendants' Motion for Judgment on
the Pleadings, and it appearing that the Motion for Judgment on the
Pleadings has already been briefed and argued by the parties and is
pending disposition by a court en bane, the motion to dismi.e
Defendants' motion is DENIED.
BY THE COURT,
,-J ti,( , -~)1
CXJ u-<(... .
J ealey O~ Jr.! J,
Samuel W. Milkes, Esq.
52 Baet High Street
Carliele, PA 17013
Attorney for Plaintiffs
Sally J. Winder, Esq.
701 Eaet King Street
Shippensburg, PA 17257
Attorney for Defendants
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I IN TBI COURT OP COMMON 'LIAS or
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I
I NO. 9'-'767 CIVIL TIRN
I
I CIVIL ACTION - IN IQUITY
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JACK T, POLK,
alVlRLY J. POLK,
PlaJ.ntift.
NR, AND MRS, JOHN B. SHIRK,
Rurus H, SHIRK,
SILICT VIAL PIID8, INC.,
Defendanb
CERTIFICATE OF SIRVICI
I, Samuel W. Milkes, hereby certify that a true and correct copy of the
Plaintiffs' Notice to Attorney General of Challenge to Constitutionality of
Statute and Plaintiffs' Brief in Response to Defendants' Motion for Judgment
on the Pleadings, was furnished by U.S. Mail, registered, retu~ receipt
request, postage prepaid, upon the following, this ~~ day of
--
~ "",,-l'Vo..r'l , 1995:
/
Ernest D, preate, Jr., Esquire
Attorney General
Office of the Attorney General
Strawberry Square
Harrisburg, PA 17120
and a true and correct copy of the Plaintiffs' Notice to Attorney General of
Challenge to Constitutionality of Statue was served on this date tOI
Sally Winder, Esquire
701 E. King Street
Shippensburg, PA 17257
Attorney for Defendants
Respectfully submitted,
~7
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BY: Samuel . Milke~Sq.
JACOBSEN & MILKES
52 E. High Street
Carlisle, PA 17013
(717) 249-6427
Attorney No. 30130
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AI/orney UII.tlw
701 1;. ~INli STMH I
SflIl'Pl:NSDURO. I'A 17l~7
rEl.EPHONE 1717) lJ2.~476
"AX (717) 132..1713
August 24, 1995
THE t10NORADLE J. WESLEY OLER
CUMBERLAND COUNTY COURT HOUSE
1 COURTHOUSE SQUARE
CARLISLE PA 17013
RE: POLK v. SUlRK
NO, 94 . 4767
Dear Judge Oler:
This leller will conlirm that Samuel Milkes and I are requesting a view of the site in the
Polk v. Shirk maller, As discussed with your secretary, we will meet at the Shirk property
at 9:00 A.M. tor the view.
The easiest way to get to Mr, Shirk's farm IS to go U.S. Routc 11. It is approximately
nine (09) miles Irom Carlisle to the intersection of State Route 233 which goes into
Newville and which is controlled by a nashing tratlic light. Continue on U.S. Route II tor
4.0 miles from the nashing light to the Oakville Road. Turn right on the Oakville Road
and proceed nine-tenths (.9) ofa mile to SJlringlield Road. Turn right on Springfield
Road and proceed six-tenths (.6) of a mile to Shirk's farm lane on the right. The barn sits
a little than two-tenths (.2) ora mile back the lane trom Springlield Road,
If you need any further directions or these are not clear, please feel free to give my otlice a
call and we will provide yuu with belle. dircctior.s.
Very truly yours,
c~4(l )/11 'J
!)(..U.L,(- l/V (., ~."'-..,
Sally J. Wi~}Ier
SJW/ash
xc: Samuel W. Milke!
o,<.Jt
Plaintiffs' property. cau~ing di~ruptive noise and odor, affecting the ability of the Polka to
quietly enjoy their propel1y, including the outdoor pool uren. 111114-18. The noi~e wa~
admilled by Mr. Shirk ag being loud and resembling u high pitched electric motor or forage
harvegter (111118,19).
De~pite Plaintiff~' various allempts, they have been unuble to uvoid the intrugive
nature of the noise and odors, ~h011of remuinillg insidl' their hOllle with Ihe windows clo~ed.
Degpite repeated allemptg of the Plaintiffg to resol ve these problem~, the Defendantg have
taken no action to alleviate the condition~, aside 1'1'011I very minor efforts. 111120-22. Actually,
the Defendllnt~ have cut down numerou~ tree~ ill the hurn area, lIluking the prohlem worse.
1123.
In obtaining a building pennit for the construction of Ihis ham, and in the
construction it~elf, the Defendants misrepresented their intentions and violated the temlg of
the permit itself, in the following manner:
A. The permit application fails to reveal that any fan~ would be installed, and the
permit did not include fans. The Township requires a brief de~cription of the propo~ed work,
in conjunction with the building pennit application. The application, found at Attachment
1 to the Complaint, contains no such description. ~2.02, Ordinance 83-3, enucted March
7, 1983 (Attachment 2 to Plaintiffs' Complailll).
B. The permit application ~uggests that the barn would be located 2500 feet from
the Plaintifrs property line, whereas the distance is significantly less. The Complaint asserts
that the distance is approximately 500-600 from the Polk House. 1113.
C. The permit application fails to comply properly with township standards, inthot
/In application for such a permit requires a plan of the site, showing the exact size and
location of the proposed construction, as well as any existing buildings 01' structul'es 011 the
property. ~2.02, Ordillance 83.3, enacted March 7, 1983 (Attachment 2 to Plaintiffs'
Complaint). 'Il'll24(a)-(c).
Finally, as to Plaintiffs' avennents, the conditions found at the Defendants' barn con
be readily alleviated, with several options, as outlined at 111125-26 of the Complaint.
A. The Statute At Issue Should Not Be Consll'ued To Bal' Plaintiffs' Complaint
While Defendants' are correct in asserting that 3 P.S. ~954 bars nuisance actions
against an agricultural operation after the passage of one year, there are several relevant
conditions on this bar.
1. The Defendants' Operation has not Lawfully Been in Operation.
3 P.S. ~954(a) requires that for the limitations on actions to apply, the operation must be
lawful. Because of the violations in the obtaining of a building permit and in the
construction of this barn, the operations are not in compliance with North Newton Township
Ordinances and are therefore not lawful.
This analysis also requires reference to ~954(b). which reads as follows:
The provisions of this section shall not affect or defeat the right of any person, firm
or corporation to recover damages for any injuries or damages sustained by them on
4
operated a ~eal calf operation for more than one year prior to the commencement of this civil
action, they did not admit that the operation wa~ a lawful one through u~e of the newly
constructed bul'll, nor did this re~pon~e sugge~t the timing of the construction of the bem or
the beginning of operution~ out of the newly con~tructed barn. To the contrary, as
~ummarized above from 1I1124(a)-(c) of their Complaint, the Plaintiffs aver that the barn is
unlawful, as out of compliance with Township Ordinances. Thi~ was a key element of the
Plllintiff~' action from the beginning.
While the Defendants dispute the Plaintiffs' allegations that the barn is out of
compliance with 10cIII Ordinanccs, this is a matter to be detemlined at trial. Based upon
Plaintiffs' allegations, it must be accepted os true that the building pennit application
improperly failed to state that there would be fans installed in this barn; that the distance
of the barn from the property line was not os stated in the building pemlit application; and
that the building pennit application failed to show the precise location of the buildings on
the property, as required by the ordinance.
Accordingly, at a minimum, Plaintiffs ore entitled to proceed with this Complaint until
such time as Defendants may establish that they lawfully undertook an agricultural operation,
through use of the newly-constructed barn, for a period of at least one year preceding the
filing of the Complaint,
6
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SAUl' J, WINut:R
AlIo,ney ut l.uw
701 L Kill)! Streel
Shiprcll~hurll, PA 17B1
5. Paragraph 40 of I)lnintillil' rcply to ncw mnllcr admits Defendants' allegation that
Dclcndnnts Mr. and Mrs. John B. Shirk's ruising ofvcal cnlvcs is conducted on relll cstnte which
is more than ten (10) contigous ncrcs in arca.
6. Parngraph 41 of 1)lnilltill's' reply to new mailer admits Dclcmlants' allcgationthat
the venl cnlf opcrntion of DefenJunts, Mr. and Mrs. John D. Shirk, had lawlltlly bccn in operation
for more than one (I) year prior tuthe conUllcncelllent of the instant civilluw suit, which wa,
commenced on August 23, 19').1.
7. 1)laintill's' compluint delincs Defendants' veal cnlf operution as n nuisance and
allempts to enjoin, or ullcviulC in ~Oll1e degree, the manner in which it is now utililed and
opcrntcd.
8. The provisions 01'3 Pa.C.S. Sections 951-957, cntitled "an Act protecting
agricultural operations Ii-om nuisance suits and ordinances under circulllstance~, " 1982, June 10,
P.L. 454, No. 133, bar the inslitution of a nuisance aClion against an agricuhuml operation such as
that engaged in by the Defcndants. A true and corrcct copy of this statute is allached as Exhibit
"0".
9. Plaintill's have failed to sctlbrth any facts which would negntc the applicability of
the aforesaid statute to the illstant equity action, and the delcnse of said stntute is accordingly
sullicient as a mailer oflaw to bar Plaintill's' action.
10. The pleadings are closed and timc exists within which to dispose of this motion so
as not to delay trial.
II. Thcrc are no genuine issues of material fact to be tried.
12. Defendallts are entitled to judgment as a mallcr of law onlhc plendings.
JACK T, POLK,
BEVERLY J. POLK,
IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF
CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
Plaintiffs
No. ql/_ L/ 7 (p 7 t:.t. TtJm
v.
MR. AND MRS. JOHN 11. SHIRK,
RUFUS H, SHIRK,
SELECf VEAL FEEDS, INC.
Defendants
CIVIL ACTION. IN EQUITY
~
..
You have been sued in court, If you wish to defend against the claims set forth in
the following pages, you must take action witilin twenty (20) days after this Counterclaim
and Notice are served, by enteting a written appcarance personally or by attorney and
filing in writing with the Court your defenses or objections to the claims set forth against
you. You are warned that if you fail to do so the case may proceed without you and a
judgment may be entered against you by the Court without further notice for any money
claimed in the Counterclaim or for any other claim or relief requested by the Plaintiff.
You may lose money or property or other rights important to you.
YOU SHOULD TAKE nIls PAPER TO YOUR LAWYER AT ONCE. IF YOU DO NOT
HAVE A LAWYER OR CANNOT AFFORD ONE, GO TO OR TELEPHONE THE OFFICE SET
FORTII BELOW TO FIND Oill WHERE YOU CAN GET LEGAL HELP.
Cumberland County Court Administrator
Cumberland County Courthouse
Third Floor
Carlisle, PA 17013
(717) 249-1133 or 697-0371
TIW';: COpy Ff-10M HECOnO
In Toallm,!\l'f WIIIJUlOI, 11~1r.1 lIol" (iI1t my ".m!!
;'.'.;~11l1~ ~~ (JI/ said COllrt at ('.a[II., PI, if
l.h3. J3 ..da oL ,19 9
.. .
-
Prothllootary
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a. The DcfcndunlK MI'. und Mrll. John U. Shirk, hUllband and wife, currelltly
residillg ut 3U5 Sprilll5ficld Houd, Shippenllburg, Cumberland County, Pennsylvania 17257.
Il, The Defendant Hufus 11. Shirk ill the recorded owner of the property located ut
385 Springfield I~oud, Shippenshur~, Cumberlullll County, Pennsylvania.
5. The Defendant S~LECT VEAL F~EDS, INC. ill a for profit eorporution with u
corporate nddress ut 17Cl Ol'l:hurd I.une, Hurleysville, Pmlllsylvania I 943B. This Defcudunt
was highly involved in Ihe desil\n of the born in quelltion, and continues to contract wilh
Defendant John U. Shirk fur the robing of veul cull' in Iluid barn. ."
6. The Ucfcndullls 1\11'. and Mrs. John B. Shirk hove rellided at the above address
for at least the lust three yeurs.
7. The IUlld on which the properties of Plaintiffs and Defendants Mr, allll MI1l.
Shirk are situated is zoned A15ricullurul.
8. The properties of Plaintiffs and Defendants Mr. and MI1l. Shirk are immediately
adjacent to one another.
9. The approximate acreage of Plaintiffs' property is 4.5 acres, and the
approximate acreage uf DefendanlMr. and MI1l. John B. Shirk's property is 175 acres.
10. Plaintiffs built the home described above approximately twelve (12) yeal1l ago,
specifically because of the rural, peaceful and secluded nature of the surroundings.
11. When Plaintiffs purchased the above property and built the home, there waa
not a calf bam located on Defendant Mr. and Mrs. John 8. Shirk's property,
2
l2, Slncc Plaintiffs hnilt Iheir homc, and within the past two yeurs, Defcndunts
havc consll'Ueh'd, or havc had ,:lIn8truetcd, ulargc calf bul'll un Defcndant Mr, uno Mrs. John
B. Shirk's prupcrty,
13. '1'1\1' cull' hUI'III'oll~tnu:h'd hy J)d'clldanls is locllte<! upproximlltcly 500-600 fcct
frum thc Polk hOllsl:.
l'~. Deft'lIdallls' cull' balll euntuills variuus ticrs of high-powcred fans which serve
the plHJlose III' velllln~ the ham. which fUllS vcnt in the dirccliun of Plllintiffs' property,
15. Unlillld'clIllallls' cunstruetion of the cull' bUnl, Pluintiffs'lIno their family had
always cnjlly.:d slJl'lIdin~ tilll<' IIl1lside in their yard, in the swimming pool area locuted on
theil' propcrty, Ill' Ihe scrcclld porch arca, in urdel' tu allow thcm the cuuntry selling of the
property.
16. Duc 10 thc loud noise IIl1d odor cunnectcd with Defendants' burn, the calves
therein, and Ihc I'l'sultill~ IiSC of fans, Pluintiffs arc unable to quietly enjoy their property in
the lIIanllCI' 10 wh:ch thl:y havc bccomc accustolllcd and in the manner expected for the
location of this pruperty.
17. During the winler munlhs, thc fans described above are utilized by Defendants
on a daily busis f1'll1ll approxilllately 3:00 p.lII. to 11:00 p.m. During the summer months,
the fans ruallluch of the day alld cvening, und at a higher intensity than during the winter.
lB. The noise emiuing from the funs described above is loud, resembling the sound
of u high pitchcd clectric mol<)r or roruge harvester.
3
19. III U 1'1"'Villlll; dis'~lIsslol1 belweell Juek T. Polk uml John D. Shirk, Defenoant
hus IIcknowledK,'d lIItd udmill,'d Ihullhe ul'seriplillnubllve of the noise emitteu from the fans
is un uccul'llle descl'il'liulI,
:W, l'luilllilf" huv,' mud.. vuriOIl. ullempl. III uvoiJ Ihe intl'usive nulure of the noise
ulld odul's I'lIIill,'d 1'1'11111 1>I'/"'lIdulIl,' I'ruIH.'l'ly, bUI huve been unuble 10 00 .0, shorl of
Pluinliffs J'l'IIU1illillfl illsid,~ IllI'il' hOllw wilh Ihl' willdows c1oseu.
21. l'luinlilfs IIIIV'> Illude 1I.11I11I'I'IlUS UII'!lIIpIS, bolh pel'sonully uno through counsel,
10 l'esulve Ihe 1111111.'1''' d'>:"~l'ilH'd ubove bUl, to dnle, DefcnJunl8 have laken no action to
IIlleviale lhese clllldilillll..
22. Ddl'lldullts huv., lIIud.> vel'Y lIIinor dfort. 10 ullevillte the problem with no
results produced.
23, Since ,:un.lllletilll\ Ihe cull' bUrll, Ddcndunts have removed numerous large trees
in the barn Ul'CU, whit:h hus cXIll~erbllleu lhc noise and ouor problems associated with the
barn,
24. The cil'Cll1ll8111nccs surrounding Ihe August 27, 1991 building permit application
(copy attached) of Defendunt Juhn 11. Shil'k for consll1JClion of the barn at. issue demonstrate
the following:
a. The pennit upplicalion fnils tll rcvcallhat any fans would be installeo,
lInd the permit tlitl not include fans,
b. The p'mnlt nppliclltion suggests thlltlhe barn would be located 2500 feel
4
fromlhe Plnilllifr~ pruperly lillI', whel'l'n~ the di~tullce i~ ~iglllflcuntly le~d.
,~. The JIl'l'IlIiluppli<::lliulI fuilK to comply pruperly with tuwllship stamlul'ds,
ill that 011 appliculion fIll' IHI"h a pl'I'IIIit rC'luil'e~ n pll1n of Ihe ~ile, showing lhe exact size
and 10catiuII uf tilt' pruflo"l'd l'''n~lnlcli''II, as wl.1I u. UIIY l'xisting buildillgs 01' stnletures oil
the property (*:l.02, Ordinallcc B:l.;l, l'lll\(ll,'d !\lurch 7, 1 <JU:1 (uuncheu)).
25. Tllt're mc iI 1IIIIIIb.~r of way. ill which th.. lIuise alld uuor prublem could be
alleviated. Tho~e klluwlI to Plailltiffs illclude the fullowing:
a. The fillls could lw 1'I,lul'uted tu the ulher end of the balll so that they
blow ill u uiffel'cllt uirecliulI;
b. A nuise rl.ducilll'; wnll cuuld be built lieuI' the bul'll ill order to block out
this portioll uf the lIuisunl'e; alld
':. Lnl'gel'. 10w-lIuise fnlls could be illslnlleu with vellting to reuirect the
emissions, which type of failS Pluilltiffs kllow to be ill place ill neighboring fanlls in the area.
26. Upon illvesligation, the I'luilltiff, Jaek '1'. Polk, has leallled that a solution to the
1I0ise situation is reudily nvailable; thut being the illstallalion of lurger bladed fans which are
less noisy than the slllaller size funs which Defenuunt uses ill his bUrrI.
WHEREFORE,for the ubove.referenced reasons, Plaintiffs respectfully request of this
Honorable Court that it exercise its cquitable powers to direct Defendants to take appropriate
action ill on expedited malineI', to ulleviate the cOllditions which interfere with Plailltiffs'
quiet elljoyment!)f their pl'llpcrty. Such relief shuuld include taking appropriate actioll such
5
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APPLlCATlOll fOR BUILDING PIKNIT
SUp'.,1Jisors oj Norlb N,.,IIIQII TOlll7Jship
K, o. 2, BOX.U &2
'.' '" NIWVILLE. PENNSYLVANIA 17241 I r ,,~)
DAlE 1 'I I '/ AJlPLI~ATlOll NO. ~ :r ~
App1tutl is h.r'(ylft.d. to th, TDWnlh'p of rlorth rltwtor) for I lut leUn; ',mlt In
con'o""tty .Un th. r.qulrtfl\fnh of the BL,llldlng P,rllllt Ord'n'nu of th, Township 0' Horth
N.wton .nd .ny .m.ndment, tn.relo for the fOII~'"9Id'lcrtb'd'Jork:
Pr1lptrty loclt.lon ._~" '1_;' I '. (;. kc.
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lhlt und.,slvn.ej .pplh:.nt hereby .""lln for I permit tOI I rClc)
[rtet I Itructur. _ {/ hUmUtd Cost S ~..(I'? 1)/1/)
Add to . structur. / '~.. \ .
Alttrl,trl.ictur. ---- FtlS,./ _0 . \j,....-"1
R.p.l, . \tructur, .:. (l.t/ ',' J .f
Erect I Ilgn J'''--;;Jv U
Oth" 11
PrtSlnt list of Prop,rty: ..... I ( ,;
Propoud l;u Of Prop~t)': $". t"( 'I.....,.., ./ -'"
Submttttd herewUh h . dimension. I ph" of th, lot Ihowtn9 propoud work Indlor uhUng
,tructur. Ind ut.b"k or y.r.j llna" number of houukuplng unttl, lht)utldtn'i1 II dlstgnld
to'l;CotTJllodHe: ,....) ._' I :/~ "'_,,,
tlAME OF ' '. . ~"", ' I.
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OwMr ---:i.1! )0 ': \.,..-(<-,/,.~_ Addrus .::aL....L'J '-7,/\.",,,-,'J ,..Jf. .'#i~
Contractor . (J '.. /' Addr", '
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~n.turt of Applicant
Add"u
BUILDING PERIlIT OfFItlR'S RmlW
.1UU Ordtn.nct ~lqulrtmlnti
VII ..J.L..
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DATI 0' ISSUANt!
PIRMIT NO.
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(~L. Q
R.nl)n for Oental
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Plrmlt [(fICt.h, for 6 months
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.. ',. BUILDING PIRlIlT 0 fltlR -:)
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O. I'rior t;o thu iSIl'''u,cu of .l"Y I"., hll"'1 I'urmit I'h,' 11,,1101111'1
"uL'onl I orticur ult"ll ruvlllw tllu 1If1f1IJci.ltLon for ,,'rmll
I'n ,h,.t,'Lmino if ill 1 l)thcw ul,"'UUH.ll'Y '"warunlon. 'tl'nnll r.
1"'lJU kr...d hy Statu ,'lid ,.....,1.'1.111 l.awN IhlVl' hOCII "id ..IIIP",
IlIh'lI ,'H thOflU n.'cluin.uJ uy llt,-, l'ltuuHylv,lIli", UUWiI'Il' I"dl'l III h:u
^I'l' (^cl; lV(jo...!j),1, au iUIIUflflt..IJ, 1111' l'unlluvJvwll,. 11.1111 :;.I'ltr~'
.Illll f:"cr'OoldlJnulltu Act (Act I'rlll-l:!~l, "" .lmulldud), 1110' '
I'UIlIll'lylvnnin Clunn Stream.. Act (Act 1937-394, olll ,lIn'II101c<l),
tho U. S. Cloan W,ttor ^ut, Suction 404, 31, lI.fi.l:. 1114.
No pUl1llit allu11 Ill' iua",,1 until thill <Il1tormlnul I till 1t'1II lIuoll
madu.
C. Nil oncrn.lchmollt, "It.C/rnt lOll, <II' improvulIlunt or ;lllY k J ,.1
1111,,11 I", mOllo to ""Y waturcIKll'lIu Ullt I I 1111 ad 1."."11"1 mllllJclplllitios
which may bo affactod by such IIcLi"" IIlIV" bUll II 1I01.Hillll hy tllo
"''''"11hll', <In,1 IIntil all ,'o'llllr"rJ 1"'rmll.lI or ""plnv,ll" 1"'Vll boo"
...,irHt uhl'iJinccJ froln thu lh.'IMrLlnuul:. ul HtlvirulllnlJld.ld IlvtlllUrcos,
IIlIrllOU nf Darns and Woltllrw.1Y M.II',l<,Omullt'.
111 udd it ion, tho Federal IlIsur.ancu Admin IlItrator .lIId
l'llnnsylvi.lllia Department ot Community AtI',lirK, IIl1tuau he
Communi ty Planninq, shall bo noti t iad by the '1'"wIIlIh II' "dor
to uny altoratioll or rolocation ot a"y wlltercOuru(I.
Sect 1,," 2.02 ^pplic3t ion Procedllroll and Roquirementfl
A. Application tor such a buildinq permit shall bu moldo, In
writing, to tho Oui1dlnq Permit Otticer on torm/l Hupplied by
the Townuhlp. Such application shall contain thll tollowinq,
I. Name and address of applicant.
2. Namo and address ot ow....r ot land on which propound
COII/llluction .is to occur.
1. Namu and addreas of contractor.
4. Site loca tion.
5. Listinq of other pormita required.
6. Briof description ot proposed work and estlmoted cost,
7. ^ plan ot tho site showinq the exact size .1IOd l..'''tlon
of the proposed conatruction as wull as allY 1l"llItl/lq
bulldinqs or structurea.
B. If. any proposed construction or develorment III locllt.ed
ll11tirely or partially within any IdontiCied (loodplain area,
"pplicants tor BuUdinq perml tll sha 11 provide a II thu /lccllssary
Information in sutticiu"t dotail and 'Jlarity to unablo the
Build illg Permit OfUcor to determine that.
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.I. II pl.1Il <If 111,' ",,1.1.,.. ,Ill.., ..1"'lt'\Y .1I"j 'l''1ild,(.lrilWlI nl
i' tiDal'" oL' unll (L) 111,-11 IIl.illll "'1"..1 ll, 11111,111..1111'.... (IOU)
t'".,tt' ur h.HIH, l~huwil\q I h~' rid lnwllt'lt
.I. IlIlI"" .11"1'11',01, 1~l'.1I" dlld "_11"$
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1., t 111"","P'dl'hy IhUIl'd 11111111 III''' N.d i','I".1 1:"'111. Ii,'
vlIrt:ical n,1tll"1 of l't;!lt, f\lIl.w~"'1 I'xilll' IlIq .lIl1l
pru[loacd Ctll\t.OUL't1 lit. Illl<'rvllll' ul twO (;!\ Iml"
,'. ,\Ii 1)rOpul'ty Dlld lul Jilll'u illl~lmlllll.J IlluH't1t,iOIllI, ,'t'u,'
tho ui:o uf tho ~dht l')CI'I.I~Hth'll lo .:u:rplO III /11111,"'4) runt,
,_,t'.
d. thu locl1til)l\ uf ,dl nxhlt.illll Htn'lllu, ell'lvl-tl, .)llllJr
iH.:COUtJW,IY~, and p.lrktnq "n....u, wit.h.iul'ua'lu.aa IIIIl
llClllcuruJIlQ widllln, p.1V'.'UH'ul I YII\.ti nllll crl,,,,,I rllI'l lun,
,"Id ltluv.allul\uJ
u.
Iln! loc.:lttl1l\ of ,any I:xlutill(1 laoclttlu uf Wi,'.'r nt'
watcrcourseG, bul1lUnqn, 6tr.uctur'o~ unci nt.hur pul,llc
nL' privdte t;tei lit"iuB, luclu(linq t'alln'J.lft '"r,ll:ku lJllll
f.lcLlilictJ, .ll\cJ dllY ~)I hur l1.llIU'-') and,''',IH-lIhldl' t"1Ii1turnu
~lffuctiB(J, Qt" a(r(Jct~'d l)y, lillo' propqt:l(lcl ~1I~t ivil.Y ot"
~icvc lopmunt 1
L
the location of thu no",1 p1.dll houlld,."y 1111'"
illtormatitln ann apot t'luvationu concc:rllJIl'1 11\0' ollu-hundrt.od
(100) year flooo.l eluvationa, ..lid luform,," IlIlI l:Cllll,.'ernin'l
the flow of water lnclollinq diroction .111'\ volocitioll'
q.
thu location of all proposed bui Idinqs, :;truct\lros,
utilltil!s, and auy otllur iml'r;,vcmentH' 1lI.1
h.
OilY other intorl1\i1tlon which thll municlpillity t:tIl1"ldurtl
lIl!ccusary for ade<juato revicw of tho....!'!'! "'"Lioll.
4. plan" of all proposod buil.lin<JIl, Illrucl'.ur..lI ,..,,) ..1'I..,r
improvcmcntll', clearly and loglbly drllwn Ill. n..lhll,\'l sCllle
showing the following:
". Huff icielltly dota !led architoctural or 011<1 iu(wr in\l
lIrawlngs includllllJ Iloor p1.1IIU, Ilcct]""", allll
exterior building eloval'.iouu, as appropri"t..,
h. for any propoued bulldlnq, thn e1uval' Ion or I h,..
hlwcst floor (lncludinq thlSUIRCnt) and, ,." r'~'ltlircd,
I.lte olovat ion of any olhur t JIl"r,
c. complcto informat.ioll cone et"1l l 11<) rload ell 1I " l'~l, l,t'UsHuro9,
velocitios, impact anti uplift t<lrcos, ",,01 nil".,. r..clors
associated with the tlne hundred (100) y,'nr f Im.J,
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f, tho al'l','oprialu CUlnI"Ill'"'\: IIf tllo flllp... IIl1l'nt lIf "nviron-
mUlltul IlusOUrCUll' "1'1,11I11 III" M,"lulu 1'" I.,nd llevelop-
lIIuulll,
CJ. whct:u .:tny f..lXC.'Vitl'\!m II" IJl',lllinq itt 1111I1.nt~I'd. 'I plan
. muot.incI till! L'uquirullwlIl:H of' lit,. 1I0P/lfllll""1. fl' I;:nvirun-
nU.mt'-l1 RUHourCUH lu llllpll'lIIlJllt. IHid mtJilll...iu ,',u.wlun.
alld ~ullilll<mtal.lulI "ulIlIul,
h. /lny othur apl,I ic:itltll1 1"'"1111'11 fII,,:h all, I,"\: n"t limited
to, a permit for allY .",tlvity rU'IIlI"',,,1 IIy llou lJopartmunt
of EnvlrolunolltdL HOUlIUL"UUU undur :ioc.:thm lU:l of ^t.:t
1970-1GG, and
i. an evacuation plan wllich fully oxpllllnfl tllu mllnnar in
which tho sito will bo IJiltuly avo"u"...,,1 h"r"nl or
during tho courqu of a OIlU Itullorad (111111 yu,lY tloll<l.
.'
Illlclloll ~.OJ Rllviow by County Con~urv..t.i,," lliqtrict,
^ copy of /lll applications alld plllnq t'lr any pro,"\nuo ""'llItrucLlon
ur duvullll'mcllt in allY idontHiud floooll'l.111I ara.. tll h.. ""l1qidered
(01' ,,!,('roval .allall bo subnittod hy thu lIulldillC) 1'lIl'mil: II' nl:ur to
IlIu County L:onuervation oilltr1<:t for ruviuw and CI~lIInunl ,.rlor to
tho 1.lluuilnCC of a buildinq pflnnll. Thu "'Clanmolul;.II"n" ..r tit"
Conqm'vo1tion Oiatrict shall bu conuiderud by tit" 111111<1111'1 I'lIrmit
OfficClr for pODsiblo incorporation inl:o tilt! prol'Cl/l\ld 1'''"1.
Stlction 2.04 1I0viow of APplication hy Others
A copy ot all plans and applications tor.: any pro(ltllllld cunqtruction
or dovolOlll\cnt in any identitied floodplain area to iln considored
for approval may be submit.ted by the Bui Irling Formll: or f Illor to
o1ny otllor o1(1p1'opriate agencitls and/or individual" (".". pli.lllnin9
conuniqsion, municipal enginoer, etc.) tor ruvitlw ,llId comllltlnt.
Section 2.05 Changes
Aftor the issuance of a buildin'1 permit by t.he Ilul.ldlll<j I'ormit.
Officor, no changes of any kind ..hall be made to tho appUcation,
pormit, or any of the plans, spacifications or ot.hflr documents
sullmittod with tho applicat ion without the wr ittell con"ullt or
approval of the Building Permit offLcer. Requents tor any such
cltall<Jol shall be in writing, and shall be submitted by lito
applicant to Fuidlin9 Pe~it Officer. for con..ideratlon.
Section 2.06 I'lac.ll'ds
III addition to the building permit, thl' Duilding I'm,.",t officer
Sh.ll1 i9SUO a placard which ailllll he ,jlllplllyed 011 tlttl p""ml,ses
dur lllg tile timo construction is in prCKjross. Thl S (llacnrd shall
show the number of the building permit, the date ot it.. issuance
alld be signed by the Building Permit officer.
'.
---......-- ._.._.._~ ..-.----
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9, Admilled,
(0, Deniell, liS utler lellsonu~le invesligntion Defendanls ore wilhout knowledge or
inlollnllllun slIlIkielll III 1<1111111 belief liS lulhe imlh of Ihls avermenl,
II, Admilled,
12, Admilled,
1.1, Denied. To thc conlrary, the cnlfbnrn conslrucled by Defendants is localed
npproxinllllcly Onc Thullsand (1,000) Icclliomlhe l)Oundary line belweenlhe Shirk properly 811I1
ihc I'ulk plllpl'!ly alld is localed cvenlill'lhcr li'OInthe Polk house, which appenrs 10 be sel back
nppro,~imlltely Onc 1 "mdled (100) Icelli'omlhe boulldary line,
I-I, ^dmilled in pllrlllnd denied in pnrl. It is admilled ollly Ihal Defendanls' calf barn
wnluins variulls licls uflillls which scrvc Ihe purpose ofvenling Ihe barn, All oflhe remaining
aspecls uflhis IIVellncntlllc dcnicd, Tulhe contrnry, Ihe fans which venllhe barn are nol high
powelcd, The smallcst lillls (I <I incllCs in diumeter) lire operaled by one-sixlh < 1/6) horsepower
molols; ihc IlIlgellillls ( I!I inches IInd 2.1 inches in diumeler) are operaied by one-Ihird < 1/3)
horsepower mulors; the lillls arc low puwered, The Iillls venl inlhe direclion which is alleasl
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!!
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II flll'ly-Iivc <<15) dcglces ull' of a linc druwnli'omlhc corner of calf barn nearesllo Ihe Polk
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propclly tu a poinlllppluximalcly inth,) cCllter of the rear properly line oflhe I'olk properly,
15,
Dcnicd, liS aileI' rcasonablc investigalion Delcndanls are wilhoul knowledge or
informalion sullicienltu lorm n belief as io ihe irulh oflhe lhis averment.
1 (j, Oenied, To lhc contrary, no loud noise is connected wilh Ihe Defendanls' barn, Ihe
calves ihclcin, and the rcsulting usc of lans, No odor which could be lermed or defined as
objcctionable or no,~iolls is cunnccled with Oelcndallts' barn, Ihe calves Iherein, and Ihe resulling
usc uf lans, Thelc e,~isls no rcason, con nee led with Defendanls' barn, Ihe calves Iherein and Ihe
reslIhingllse of lilliS, why I'lainlills should be unllble to !JUiCily enjoy Iheir properly in the manner
" in which Ihey have het:\lllle accuslollled IInd inlhe manlier expected fur Ihe location of I'laintill's'
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propelly,
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17.
DCllied Ulllhe CUIlIIlIlY, the Iillls which arc fourleen (14) inches In diameler And
I, IUlIlJy ulle-sixth (1/0) hili scpowel' 1II0tors lun continuously at vulialJle speeds, the speeds lJeing
Ii
selech~\llIccol\lillg 10 Ihclllloslalic conlruls illside Ihe calflJorn, The Inrger fans, beillg Ihe fans
"
" wllh dialllclcl s or eighlcen ( Ill) inchcs IInd I wellly-lilur (24) inches rlln al a single speed, I
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, whellevcr thclllloslalk C\llIlIols illside ihe cllU'lJanl. rellclillg 10 the IImlJienttemperallll'e Inside the I
j' I
bani, turn onlhese IRlger lilliS, I
III Denied To ihe cunlrnry, Ihe sound coming fromlhe fans Inl\ueslion is Ihe sound I
" of lilliS, Thc SOli ad or lhe lilllS dues nol have II high pilch; the sound of the fans does not resemble
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Ihe sou lid of 1I10l'llge harvesler,
II),
Denicd, To the cunll'llry, Delcndllnl John U, Shirk hos never acknowledged or
IIdmilled Ihallhe sound or Ihe HillS resemlJles a high pilched electric motor or a forage harvesler,
II
i I Delcndllnl John II, Shilk did 011 olle occllsiou slllle 10 Plalnlin'Juck T, I'olk Ihatlhe sound oflhe
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rllns WllS silllilar 10 sound or II lillllge harvestcr beillg opcralcd lImile or more away Irom loeallon
oflhe pel'sunlistenillg,
20,
Dcnied, To Ihe conlrary, no inirusive noise and odors are emilled from
Delcll\lanls' property which the I'laintil1:" or allyone ornormnlscnsibilities, should hAve to take
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i I any IIclionlo avoid, ^s to the IIVerlllents ofbehllvior 1II0dification on the narl ofl'Iollllln5 as
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allcged illlhis plll'llglilph, slIidllvenncnls arc dcnied, as oller reasonable investigation Defendants
:,
i I arc wilhollt kaowledge or inlolllllltioll sullidelll io lorm a belief as 10 their trulh,
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21
Denied, Tuthe cOlllrnry, Ihere lire 110 lIIallers described in Ihe Complaint which
l'lainlills, or any persons of nOrlllal sellsibilities, should have tu lake action or allempt to resolve,
There arc 110 cOlI\litiolls whidl Delclldllllts should, under any reasonable circumslances, have to
tllke actiun io alleviate. ^s 10 ihe cumlucl and lJehavior of PlaintilTs and counscl slated in general
I'
I: lerms inlhis pal'llglUph, Ihey lue denied, as ancr I'easunable invesligation Defcndants al'e wilhoul
II knowledge or illlilllllaliun sulliciellllo 10lln n belief as io their lrulh,
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n IJellied Tu the ~lIIltllllY, ihere me 110 problems which it is nccessary 10 alleviale,
Oelcmlllllls hllH' insllllkd hllllds cUlIsllucled ufll SlIlid insullltillllmntelial over top of and alonll
the sides IIflhc 11I1I',l'sl T\ICllly-Jillll' (2'1) illch dinlllcler lims,nlld lIJ1elle thai a reduclion in sound
cumillg limll silhllilllS IlIilY hllve beelllll:hieved, nlthuugh Delcndanls l:lInllot distinlluish any
': dillclenl:e ill Ihc Icvclllfslluml bclillllthis n,udiliclIliulIlIS compared wiih ihe level ofsuund nller
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this modilklltiulI.
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2l
Adlllilled illPUlllllllldenicd ill parI. It is admitted thnt Defendants have removed R
numbcr uflrccs bCllVl'L'lIlbc 1IIIIIIlIIId thc Pulk pl'\Jpcriy, which removal has lleennecessitated by
I, wind dlllllilgC lu silid II ccs. Alluf the I elnaininllllverments of said parallraph are denied, To the
! I cunllllry, lbcle exislnllnoisc ami odor pwblcms IIssodllled wilh the bnrn in question, and the
II
Ii removlll of IIccs has nlll lIIalle the sound alld slllell associateu wilh the barn chanlle in any respecl.
24,
a.
Admitted,
II
DCllicd, Onlhe conirary, the skelch allached 10 the permit npplication
d
i i shows II dislllllCC ufTwlI Thllusllmll'ive Ilundrcd (2,500) feel belweenthe barn and the Eastern
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boundary uf Ihe Shirk plOpel'ly IInd II distanl:e of Two Thousand Hve Hum/red (2,500) feet
belwcenthe blllllllnd the Weslelll boulldllry of the Shirk property and a distance of One
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, Thousllnd (1,000) Icel betweenthc barn IInd Sprillglicld Road as measured alonllthe land leadin8
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i I Ii-om Splinglield Ruad 10 the l:alf barn. Thc sketch nowhere sUllllests that the barn would be
(ocllled Two Thllusand Fivc Ilulldred (2.500) lcelli'omthe Plainlil1s property line,
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c, DCllicd, To the contrary, the permit application complies properly wilh
Township's slillllllllds as Ihose sllllldards have llcell historicully applied, and a valid lluilding permit
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WllS issued ill I espullse 10 the pellllituppli~lllionlllld llttaehed sketch which were submitted 10 the
Township Uuildillg I'ermil omcer.
25.
Dellied. T\llhe cuntrary there is no noise or odor problem connected wilh
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I' Uelcllllnnls' cilli'llllln whidlllccds lu lJe nlleviated, nnd there arc 11\1 reasonallle methods of
Ii ledudllg Ihe suund ufllre IllllS alld the SlIIellllssocillled with the calf barn.
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, e,~(lellsivc ulld IIl11jlll' chullge UlIIlllIUdilkuliun oflhe lIurn 10 relocole lilllslo other side of the
U,
I)ellied, To Hill conlflll'Y, it would 1I0t only require 811 unreasonobly
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:: bUill, hUllIlslIlhe IIlhcl' side IIflhe 11Iuulilces the pl'evllilinll winds in this lleOllraphienllocBtion,
, : IInd the sililllllll' Ihc 1lI1nlllllllhe IlIclllillnllf thlllilns WIIS detenllined in pOli due tu Ihe dhectilln
11'0111 which plevllilill winds bluw,
h DCllied, To the cOlllrnry, no nuisullce exisls 011 the Shh'k properly which
I: lIecds 10 be hloch,d 1"11. As 10 whellll.'I' nny iype of walllleor Ihe lIam would reduce the sou lid of
II the lilliS, Iklclldllllls Icny Ihese nspects oflhe uvermenl, as oller reasollable illvestigatioll I'
I:
I UelClldunls III'C wilhout knowledge 01' inliJrlnatioll sul1icientto form belief as to iheir trulhs,
I C Dcnied, To the conlrlny, no veal calfoperatiolls are localed 011 Bny
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i i IIdllhllUlillg lilllllS in the lll'ell, l.al'ger lillls could not be used In this calf barn, since the venlilation
syslel1l wilh Ihe liulS Ihatlll e in use is U syslelll io ellhuusl healed air from the illterior of the calf
born olld creules ulow p,essure withilllhe colfborn cuusing cool air to now into the bam I'romlhe
other side by viltue uf Ihe prevoilillg wind pallerns ond Ihe lower pressure inside created by Ihe
. i opernlionllf the exhllllsl liuls, Lurgel' fillls illOn lbose currelllly used In the Defendallts' veal calf
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bUill; wuuld not pl'llvide the I'el)uired ventilaiion, and would not efficienlly remove warm air alld
, direct cooler ail' IlIlu the bnlll the larger fillls would also nol allow addilional cooling of Ihe veal
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culves by Ihe conlinuillg movement of nir acmss iheil' bodies as is currelllly the case wilh the
velllilalioll systelll us uow illstalled and operatillg,
26, Dellicd. To the conlrary, Delclldanls dellY that there is allY 1I0ise situation which
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II needs 10 he solved, As 10 Ihe Invcstigntionllfthe I'lnintill'Jack '1', I'olk and the learnillg he has
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done ICglllllillg lilliS, Ihese IIspe~ts oflhe overmclli llle denied, os oller reasonable invesligalioll
Dc!cndllnlS llle withuut knllwledge of inlollllolioll sullicientlo form a belief os to their trulh,
W"F/II',FOIlJo:, DcJclIllllnls lIcmilllll judgmcnt in iheir (avol' alld againsll'lainlifis. togelher
with I'ellsonllble ~llsls
NEW MATI'EII
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oflllc properly lights ufl'luinlill's, uml the veil I cull' born Is nol unrcasonably maintaincd by
Delcndunts Mr. & MIs, John U, Shirk,
.15, Thc I'luinlills UIC not cntitled to any injunclive reliefal!ainstlhe Defendants,
.Ic" Nunc of Ihc ICllUCSICd vUlicties ofinjunclivc relief soullht by the Plalnlifii In their
Compluinl wuld bc givcn 10 thcm without subslanliolly and unreasonably prejudicinl! the prol'clly
lillhls oflhc Oclcndunts Mr. & Mrs, Johnll Shilk,
37, Thc conducl and behavior of Defendants Mr, & Mrs, John D, Shirk in operatlnll
the vcul colfbtllll inllucslion would not cuuse any inconvenicnce, annoyance or discomfort in
tenus of noisc oludols 10 any pcrsons of normal scnsibilities,
38, I'lulniill's huve avcrred no facls which would warrant them being treated as olher
than pClsons of nOli no 1 scnsibilitics,
39, Dclcndllnts Mr, & Mrs, John U, Shirk's raising of veal calves on the farm
constitutcs a nUl'mal agricuhural operation,
40. Dcfcndants Mr, & Mrs, John U, Shirk's raising of veal calves is conducled on real
eslale which is nlOlc tlllln icn(IO) conligous acrcs in area,
41, Thc vcal coif opcralion of Dcfendants Mr, & Mrs, John D, Shirk had lawfully been
in opcration lor mOlc tlllln one (I) year prior to ihc conunencellleni of Ihe inslant civil law suil,
which was connncnccd on August 23, 1994,
42, I'laintill's action Is barrcd by thc provisions of3 P,S, sections 95 I through 957,
entillcd "^" Act protccting ngrlcuhural opcrations from nuisance suits and ordinances under
circumslanccs," 1982, June 10, p, L, 454, No, 133,
direct tho odor in u pm-liculur dirl!ctioll. Additionnlly, tho 110ise of the fans can be heard from
various directiol1~.
:.1:.1, Dl!nil!d, Thl! Opl!l'ution uf the veul cull' bm-n in question, and in particular the use of the
fanB in the mannoI' dl.lBcribed within Pluintiff~' Coolplaint continueB to cause injury, damage and
hurt to the Pluilltiff~ und dues constitute more thwI mere ioconvenience, annoyance, or diBcomfort,
:H, Dunied, '1'0 thl! contrul'Y, Dufundunts' activitie~ preclude Plaintiffs 1'1'001 being able to
mo.ke full USl! and el~oYll1ellt uf thdl' property, including an out Bide pool area,
35, Denied, 1'01' thl! l'l.lusons set forth within Plaintiffs' Complaint and this Answer.
:.16, Denied, '1'0 thl! (:ontruI'Y, Pluintiff~ huve continunlly made suggestions to Defendants as
to how they could 1'l!llIedy the situutiun with thl! leust amount of inconvenience and expense,
37, Denied, 'I'he noise und udor emitted from the barn would cause a person of normal
Bensibilitics to be ut'f'l!ctl!d in the WUYH Sl!t forth within PluintirfB' Complaint, PlaintiffB' Complaint
does not allege that the effect is solely upon Plaintiffs, but that the effect is a general one, flowing
from Defendants' wrongful activities,
38, Admitted thut Plaintiffs have averred no Buch facts, Denied that such facts mUlt be
averred, Additiouully, Plaintiffs do hereby allege that their seusibilitieB are thoBe of normal persona
and that the activitieB complained of within their Complaint are not related to the question of
whether those affected huve nOl'mal or other types of senBibilities,
39, Admitted that the raising of veul calveB on the farm constituteB a normal agricultural
operation, Denied that the fashion in which Defendants are undertaking thie activity il conlidered
normal,
40, Admitted,
41, Admitted,
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,
JACK T. POLK,
BEVERLY J. POLK,
Plaintiffs
IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF
CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
v.
CIVIL ACTION - EQUITY
MR. AND MRS. JOHN B. SHIRK,
RUFUS H. SHIRK,
SELECT VEA~ FEEDS, INC.,
Defendants
94-4767 EQUITY TERM
DECREE NISI
AND NOW, this ~(~t day of August, 1995, upon
consider.ation of Plaintiffs' complaint in equity, and following
a trial on Wednesday, August 30, 1995, which included a view of
the properties involved in this litigation, the Court finds that
the veal operation being conducted on the Shirk property at 385
Springfield Road, Shippensburg [North Newton Township],
Cumberland County, Pennsylvania, is a normal agricultural
operation, is on ten or more contiguous acres, and has lawfully
been in operation in its present form since at least December 6,
1991. The Court furth9r finds that the said operation, which is
located in a generally agricultural area, is not unreasonably
noisy or unreasonably odorous so as to rise to the level of a
nuisance with respect to the property of Plaintiffs at 409
Springfield Road, Shippensburg [North Newton Township],
Cumberland County, Pennsylvania~
lIn so finding, the Court does not intend to imply
a finding that there is not, at certain times, some noise and/or
odor from the operation which can be p~c~ived on the
Plaintiffs' property, I ' 'n 11 f,"(",
" I