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#1
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I have a friendly helpful next-door neighbor here in the woods (PA)
where the zoning ordinance does NOT prohibit open burning. This is a lifelong neighbor (30+) who grew up along with us and with whom we have up until now been on very good terms. (The good terms do not extend to neighbor's wife.) For the past month, our home has REEKED of whatever it is that he has been burning. We live on a dead-end road, but I don't want to give the impression this is, like, Deliverance-style territory. It's just a 70's-era development in the Poconos. We're not concerned that he's burning something necessarily illegal as we are that our home is becoming uninhabitable because of the smoke. I phoned two Saturdays ago. Neighbor's gnarly wife answered, claimed "We've burned twice a week for ten years!" (patently untrue), and that "*I* don't smell a thing." The response, while not out of character for this woman, was a bit more unfriendly than we're used to, even for her. The smoke got even worse, so we actually phoned neighbor's mom, who lives in a house out of line of the drifting smoke. Result was that smoke stopped, and next day, neighbor drives over to apologize and give me a hug. I thought the problem was solved. Two days later, the burning started again. Because neighbor is extremely well-employed, I could see it wasn't a matter of his burning on yet another Monday mid-morning, and I started to wonder if he installed some sort of wood-burning device inside his home whose vent is aimed directly our way. What if anything can we do to settle this nightmare? This would be like something from Seinfeld if it wasn't causing such pain. If we contact him again (and we'll have to do it when we're sure we won't instead get wife-from-Hades), we'll 1) "take back" the friendly reception of our complaint to his Mom, or 2) show that we don't believe his explanation of "just extra wood left over from chopped trees." He would have had to cut down half his lot in order for the burning to be going on this long. Any advice--mechanical, structural, legal, seasonal (!)--desperately needed and appreciated. |
#2
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![]() wrote in message ups.com... I have a friendly helpful next-door neighbor here in the woods (PA) where the zoning ordinance does NOT prohibit open burning. This is a lifelong neighbor (30+) who grew up along with us and with whom we have up until now been on very good terms. (The good terms do not extend to neighbor's wife.) For the past month, our home has REEKED of whatever it is that he has been burning. We live on a dead-end road, but I don't want to give the impression this is, like, Deliverance-style territory. It's just a 70's-era development in the Poconos. We're not concerned that he's burning something necessarily illegal as we are that our home is becoming uninhabitable because of the smoke. I phoned two Saturdays ago. Neighbor's gnarly wife answered, claimed "We've burned twice a week for ten years!" (patently untrue), and that "*I* don't smell a thing." The response, while not out of character for this woman, was a bit more unfriendly than we're used to, even for her. The smoke got even worse, so we actually phoned neighbor's mom, who lives in a house out of line of the drifting smoke. Result was that smoke stopped, and next day, neighbor drives over to apologize and give me a hug. I thought the problem was solved. Two days later, the burning started again. Because neighbor is extremely well-employed, I could see it wasn't a matter of his burning on yet another Monday mid-morning, and I started to wonder if he installed some sort of wood-burning device inside his home whose vent is aimed directly our way. What if anything can we do to settle this nightmare? This would be like something from Seinfeld if it wasn't causing such pain. If we contact him again (and we'll have to do it when we're sure we won't instead get wife-from-Hades), we'll 1) "take back" the friendly reception of our complaint to his Mom, or 2) show that we don't believe his explanation of "just extra wood left over from chopped trees." He would have had to cut down half his lot in order for the burning to be going on this long. Any advice--mechanical, structural, legal, seasonal (!)--desperately needed and appreciated. I would maybe ask him if he could move his burn pile to amother location on his property (so you are NOT downwind), or, seriously, move......... |
#3
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First you have to watch the movie,"Neighbors" to see how good you've got it.
Then I'd probably write him a note to explain how bad the smoke bothers you and appeal to any sense of compassion he may have. I was in a similar situation some years back and I did the wrong thing which made matters worse and ultimately moved. wrote in message ups.com... I have a friendly helpful next-door neighbor here in the woods (PA) where the zoning ordinance does NOT prohibit open burning. This is a lifelong neighbor (30+) who grew up along with us and with whom we have up until now been on very good terms. (The good terms do not extend to neighbor's wife.) For the past month, our home has REEKED of whatever it is that he has been burning. We live on a dead-end road, but I don't want to give the impression this is, like, Deliverance-style territory. It's just a 70's-era development in the Poconos. We're not concerned that he's burning something necessarily illegal as we are that our home is becoming uninhabitable because of the smoke. I phoned two Saturdays ago. Neighbor's gnarly wife answered, claimed "We've burned twice a week for ten years!" (patently untrue), and that "*I* don't smell a thing." The response, while not out of character for this woman, was a bit more unfriendly than we're used to, even for her. The smoke got even worse, so we actually phoned neighbor's mom, who lives in a house out of line of the drifting smoke. Result was that smoke stopped, and next day, neighbor drives over to apologize and give me a hug. I thought the problem was solved. Two days later, the burning started again. Because neighbor is extremely well-employed, I could see it wasn't a matter of his burning on yet another Monday mid-morning, and I started to wonder if he installed some sort of wood-burning device inside his home whose vent is aimed directly our way. What if anything can we do to settle this nightmare? This would be like something from Seinfeld if it wasn't causing such pain. If we contact him again (and we'll have to do it when we're sure we won't instead get wife-from-Hades), we'll 1) "take back" the friendly reception of our complaint to his Mom, or 2) show that we don't believe his explanation of "just extra wood left over from chopped trees." He would have had to cut down half his lot in order for the burning to be going on this long. Any advice--mechanical, structural, legal, seasonal (!)--desperately needed and appreciated. |
#4
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RBM wrote:
First you have to watch the movie,"Neighbors" to see how good you've got it. Then I'd probably write him a note to explain how bad the smoke bothers you and appeal to any sense of compassion he may have. I was in a similar situation some years back and I did the wrong thing which made matters worse and ultimately moved. wrote in message ups.com... I have a friendly helpful next-door neighbor here in the woods (PA) where the zoning ordinance does NOT prohibit open burning. This is a lifelong neighbor (30+) who grew up along with us and with whom we have up until now been on very good terms. (The good terms do not extend to neighbor's wife.) For the past month, our home has REEKED of whatever it is that he has been burning. We live on a dead-end road, but I don't want to give the impression this is, like, Deliverance-style territory. It's just a 70's-era development in the Poconos. We're not concerned that he's burning something necessarily illegal as we are that our home is becoming uninhabitable because of the smoke. I phoned two Saturdays ago. Neighbor's gnarly wife answered, claimed "We've burned twice a week for ten years!" (patently untrue), and that "*I* don't smell a thing." The response, while not out of character for this woman, was a bit more unfriendly than we're used to, even for her. The smoke got even worse, so we actually phoned neighbor's mom, who lives in a house out of line of the drifting smoke. Result was that smoke stopped, and next day, neighbor drives over to apologize and give me a hug. I thought the problem was solved. Two days later, the burning started again. Because neighbor is extremely well-employed, I could see it wasn't a matter of his burning on yet another Monday mid-morning, and I started to wonder if he installed some sort of wood-burning device inside his home whose vent is aimed directly our way. What if anything can we do to settle this nightmare? This would be like something from Seinfeld if it wasn't causing such pain. If we contact him again (and we'll have to do it when we're sure we won't instead get wife-from-Hades), we'll 1) "take back" the friendly reception of our complaint to his Mom, or 2) show that we don't believe his explanation of "just extra wood left over from chopped trees." He would have had to cut down half his lot in order for the burning to be going on this long. Any advice--mechanical, structural, legal, seasonal (!)--desperately needed and appreciated. fed EPA does not allow open burning anymore,call them call fire department, he must have a permit to burn grass or leaves nothing else is allowed |
#5
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On 15 Dec 2004 02:45:30 -0800, "
wrote: I have a friendly helpful next-door neighbor here in the woods (PA) where the zoning ordinance does NOT prohibit open burning. This is a It is against the law to create a public disturbance. lifelong neighbor (30+) who grew up along with us and with whom we have up until now been on very good terms. (The good terms do not extend to neighbor's wife.) For the past month, our home has REEKED of whatever it is that he has been burning. We live on a dead-end road, but I don't want to give the impression this is, like, Deliverance-style territory. It's just a 70's-era development in the Poconos. We're not concerned that he's burning something necessarily illegal as we are that our home is becoming uninhabitable because of the smoke. I phoned two Saturdays ago. Neighbor's gnarly wife answered, claimed "We've burned twice a week for ten years!" (patently untrue), and that Even the die-hards had to give up painting their houses with lead paint, tell her to get with the time, it's winter time, don't burn on stall air days or when you are down wind. "*I* don't smell a thing." The response, while not out of character for this woman, was a bit more unfriendly than we're used to, even for her. Respond with, from your personal habits, I guess nothing else does smell to you. :-P JUST Kidding. Document on your calendar this call, time and date. Keep this calendar into 2005. The smoke got even worse, so we actually phoned neighbor's mom, who lives in a house out of line of the drifting smoke. Result was that smoke stopped, and next day, neighbor drives over to apologize and give me a hug. I thought the problem was solved. Two days later, the burning started again. Because neighbor is extremely well-employed, I could see it wasn't a matter of his burning on yet another Monday mid-morning, and I started to wonder if he installed some sort of wood-burning device inside his home whose vent is aimed directly our way. If it's a piece of equipment that is installed, it doesn't seem very well 'drafted' might want to pry and find out if it was under permit and inspection. If not, and he becomes a problem, give the city and his insurance company a call. ![]() muhahahahahah What if anything can we do to settle this nightmare? This would be like something from Seinfeld if it wasn't causing such pain. If we contact him again (and we'll have to do it when we're sure we won't instead get wife-from-Hades), we'll 1) "take back" the friendly reception of our complaint to his Mom, or 2) show that we don't believe his explanation of "just extra wood left over from chopped trees." He would have had to cut down half his lot in order for the burning to be going on this long. Any advice--mechanical, structural, legal, seasonal (!)--desperately needed and appreciated. If you his smoking problems are creating a serious problem, maybe when you smell the smoke again, call the fire department. A few calls about you smell something, or it's so much 'smell' it might be out of control calls, he will be shut down. BUT..... even though he instigated the problem, and continued after you asked him to stop, you will be seen as a bad boy. So, you might want to get advice from adjacent neighbors before you make your decision. IMHO, tom @ www.ChopURL.com |
#7
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![]() wrote in message ups.com... I have a friendly helpful next-door neighbor here in the woods (PA) where the zoning ordinance does NOT prohibit open burning. This is a lifelong neighbor (30+) who grew up along with us and with whom we have up until now been on very good terms. (The good terms do not extend to neighbor's wife.) For the past month, our home has REEKED of whatever it is that he has been burning. We live on a dead-end road, but I don't want to give the impression this is, like, Deliverance-style territory. It's just a 70's-era development in the Poconos. We're not concerned that he's burning something necessarily illegal as we are that our home is becoming uninhabitable because of the smoke. Invite the neighbor (or his mother) into your house when the problem is bad. If they experience it, they might help to solve it. Bob |
#8
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Bob wrote:
Invite the neighbor (or his mother) into your house when the problem is bad. If they experience it, they might help to solve it. Bob I agree with this as a final attempt to get them to respond w/o bringing authorities into it. If it fails (as it porobably will, given the history), you'll have to decide which you value more; the "good will" of this apparent clod, or the air you breath. Seems a no brainer to me. As someone else mentioned, you WILL be seen as the "unreasonable one" in the minds at least of this individual & his family. Unless they're paying your bills my sentiment would be "So what?" Dan |
#9
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fsteddie posted for all of us....
call fire department, he must have a permit to burn grass or leaves nothing else is allowed Not necessarily local laws dictate. EPA is withholding grant money to force municipalities into "their" thinking. I'm not clear on this problem; is it a burn 'pile' or a wood burning stove giving off the odor? -- Tekkie |
#10
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Tekkie wrote:
fsteddie posted for all of us.... call fire department, he must have a permit to burn grass or leaves nothing else is allowed Not necessarily local laws dictate. EPA is withholding grant money to force municipalities into "their" thinking. I'm not clear on this problem; is it a burn 'pile' or a wood burning stove giving off the odor? It sounds like he's burning styrofoam, vinyl siding, and old tires in a solid fuel (wood-burning or coal-burning) stove. Bob |
#11
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zxcvbob wrote:
Tekkie wrote: fsteddie posted for all of us.... call fire department, he must have a permit to burn grass or leaves nothing else is allowed Not necessarily local laws dictate. EPA is withholding grant money to force municipalities into "their" thinking. I'm not clear on this problem; is it a burn 'pile' or a wood burning stove giving off the odor? It sounds like he's burning styrofoam, vinyl siding, and old tires in a solid fuel (wood-burning or coal-burning) stove. Bob Actually, it could just be household garbage and he's not mixing enough cardboard and dry wood with it to get it to burn cleanly. Bob |
#12
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![]() wrote in message ups.com... What if anything can we do to settle this nightmare? This would be like something from Seinfeld if it wasn't causing such pain. If we contact him again (and we'll have to do it when we're sure we won't instead get wife-from-Hades), we'll 1) "take back" the friendly reception of our complaint to his Mom, or 2) show that we don't believe his explanation of "just extra wood left over from chopped trees." He would have had to cut down half his lot in order for the burning to be going on this long. What would happen if you called the local fire department to come and check out a possible structure fire? Maybe if the local FD came out with the sirens going thinking that the house was on fire he might stop? |
#13
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On 12/15/2004 10:06 PM US(ET), Tracey took fingers to keys, and typed
the following: wrote in message oups.com... What if anything can we do to settle this nightmare? This would be like something from Seinfeld if it wasn't causing such pain. If we contact him again (and we'll have to do it when we're sure we won't instead get wife-from-Hades), we'll 1) "take back" the friendly reception of our complaint to his Mom, or 2) show that we don't believe his explanation of "just extra wood left over from chopped trees." He would have had to cut down half his lot in order for the burning to be going on this long. What would happen if you called the local fire department to come and check out a possible structure fire? Maybe if the local FD came out with the sirens going thinking that the house was on fire he might stop? In NYS, that would be 'falsely reporting an incident'. |
#14
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On Thu, 16 Dec 2004 07:37:06 -0500, willshak
wrote: On 12/15/2004 10:06 PM US(ET), Tracey took fingers to keys, and typed the following: wrote in message roups.com... What if anything can we do to settle this nightmare? This would be like something from Seinfeld if it wasn't causing such pain. If we contact him again (and we'll have to do it when we're sure we won't instead get wife-from-Hades), we'll 1) "take back" the friendly reception of our complaint to his Mom, or 2) show that we don't believe his explanation of "just extra wood left over from chopped trees." He would have had to cut down half his lot in order for the burning to be going on this long. What would happen if you called the local fire department to come and check out a possible structure fire? Maybe if the local FD came out with the sirens going thinking that the house was on fire he might stop? In NYS, that would be 'falsely reporting an incident'. IMHO: If you report it as such yes, but if you report a smoke condition, and explain your neighbors burns stuff, but there's so much smoke you think it might have gotten out of control..... basicly as long as you aren't saying anything with false facts, how can they cite you? later, Tom @ www.BookmarkAdmin.com P.S. I am nieve, I actually trust my city officials most of the time. ![]() |
#15
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![]() wrote in message ... : If you report it as such yes, but if you report a smoke condition, and explain your neighbors burns stuff, but there's so much smoke you think it might have gotten out of control..... basicly as long as you aren't saying anything with false facts, how can they cite you? Well, this is more what I meant, I just didn't state it as clearly. |
#16
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On Thu, 16 Dec 2004 15:16:19 GMT, "Tracey"
wrote: wrote in message .. . : If you report it as such yes, but if you report a smoke condition, and explain your neighbors burns stuff, but there's so much smoke you think it might have gotten out of control..... basicly as long as you aren't saying anything with false facts, how can they cite you? Well, this is more what I meant, I just didn't state it as clearly. Ah I understand. Then I didn't understand at first. thanks, tom @ www.WorkAtHomePlans.com |
#17
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That's what I was thinking, it sounds like burning garbage. I hate
that smell with a passion. Does your neighbor have stuff out by the road on trash pickup day? The folks that owned our place before us didn't think it was worth paying for trash removal when they could just pile it up and burn it in the pasture...same pasture the horses were in no less. We spent a lot of time cleaning that and other junk up to make it safe for horses and cattle. |
#18
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Tracey posted for all of us....
What would happen if you called the local fire department to come and check out a possible structure fire? Maybe if the local FD came out with the sirens going thinking that the house was on fire he might stop? That sir/madam is exactly the WRONG action to take. That is called a malicious false alarm. -- Tekkie |
#19
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wrote in message
ups.com... Update-- Zoning Officer came (the most useless piece of humanity I ever met in my life, a decrepit tax-sucking hypocrite) and agreed smell was "real bad, but there's nuttin' I can do. Call D.E.P." Called DEP-- Was told by woman smoke from excessive burning is an "unregulated problem" and agency can do nothing. "Go to the magistrates." I left voice message on neighbor's phone, thanks to brilliant idea from mom, currently in Florida. I said "Mom wants to know if this situation is temporary or permanent, because if it's permanent, she will not return to her home." Mom's 75 and handicapped. Last night, the smoke seemed less. The tragedy of this--and it IS a tragedy--is the good relations we've always had with the *husband*. The situation didn't improve until he came home from work. The gnarly wife... I don't think she's going to let peace on earth, if you know what I mean. Mom will probably dance on my grave, she's a tough old lady. She said if we have to sell the house because of them, we'll sell privately and bring in the LOUDEST, PARTY-HARDYEST family of thirty and cram 'em into this three bedroom ranch. Thanks, everybody. Just reading the posts encouraged me and made me laugh. soundem like wife make much smoke while hubbyman at work mebbe do nothing mebbe getem hubbyman and wife in you house at same time while smoke bad mebbe givem wife electric blankey to replace smoke while hubbyman at work mebbe have em wife holyman/woman visit you house while smoke beum in air much mebbe move into house upwind mebbe install "stop the smoke" protest signs mebbe some, all, or none of the above but in you title, you call them neighbor, so mebbe bottom line be nice |
#20
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twstanley wrote:
Does your neighbor have stuff out by the road on trash pickup day? The folks that owned our place before us didn't think it was worth paying for trash removal when they could just pile it up and burn it in the pasture...same pasture the horses were in no less. We spent a lot of time cleaning that and other junk up to make it safe for horses and cattle. THAT'S IT! Thanks to you and Gino, I figured out what it was, because when I called Gnarly Wife, she said "We've been burning garbage twice a week for the last ten years." They're the richest people on the road, but they are the only ones who don't have garbage pick-up. Oh, now I'm REALLY foamin'. |
#21
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#22
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I HATE the smell of burning garbage. There are a few folks around us,
not next door but near enough to smell, that still burn garbage on occasion. It isn't all the time, but it still reeks. I spent 8 months last year in Baghdad with my national guard unit, the smell of raw sewage and burning garbage will always remind me of that place. |
#23
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Just put up with it..at least its US garbage..or would you rather
be back in Baghdad? On Mon, 20 Dec 2004 19:19:23 -0600, wrote: On 20 Dec 2004 07:08:10 -0800, "twstanley" wrote: I HATE the smell of burning garbage. There are a few folks around us, not next door but near enough to smell, that still burn garbage on occasion. It isn't all the time, but it still reeks. I spent 8 months last year in Baghdad with my national guard unit, the smell of raw sewage and burning garbage will always remind me of that place. If you were in Bagdad, you should know how to deal with the neighbor. Just toss a hand gernade in the window and say "bye". While you're at it, burn the whole neighborhood so nobody bothers you anymore. You;ll only smell the garbage (neighbors bodies) burning till the fire dept put out all the fires and hauls the dead bodys to the morgue. |
#24
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I was just remarking to the original poster who had the complaints
about neighbors burning something which was later determined to be garbage. The folks who do burn garbage around here do it rarely and it is quite a ways away so I don't have a problem with it. And no, I REALLY would not rather be in Baghdad. haha. |
#25
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![]() wrote THAT'S IT! Thanks to you and Gino, I figured out what it was, because when I called Gnarly Wife, she said "We've been burning garbage twice a week for the last ten years." They're the richest people on the road, but they are the only ones who don't have garbage pick-up. Oh, now I'm REALLY foamin'. Hey, I think you said this guy is an old friend, and this is worth a lot to have a friend as a neighbor, even if you don't get along so well with the wife. If it's not a huge cost, maybe ask them if they'd do garbage pick up if you paid 1/2, 1/3 whatever. Might be worth the cost of keeping a friend and good neighbor. These seemingly petty problems can really sour a neighbor relationship beyond repair and are worth trying to solve in a friendly fashion. Camilo |
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