Like its subject matter, the controversy over horse manure in Wellesley Township has gradually just … disappeared.
The issue of manure on township roads used by horse-drawn buggies was first raised by a Linwood resident last fall. They argued that manure could lead to additional maintenance costs over time, and that horse dropping could spread disease or encourage flies.
Those concerns were refuted in a staff report that concluded no major human disease outbreak has ever been attributed to horse manure, and manure has never been known to have any effect on the longevity of asphalt roads.
The staff report outlined possible solutions, including having buggy drivers stop to scoop up manure, providing cleanup stations with shovels and bins, and use of manure catching devices on the horses. All of those suggestions were dismissed as being to costly, inconvenient or dangerous.
Instead, councillors Jim Olender and Herb Neher organized a meeting between the complainants and members of the horse-and-buggy community earlier this month.
Olender said each side was able to voice their opinions and concerns, and both groups went away satisfied.
“They expressed their concerns and came to a mutual understanding of what the problems were,” he said.
Meeting Tuesday night, Wellesley Township council voted to accept the recommendation in the staff report and take no action on the matter.
