I am disturbed by the comments made by Andover Health Director Tom Carbone in the Town Talk "Can't you smell that smell?" (Townsman, Oct. 18).

Carbone says he believes the odors emanating from Krochmal Piggery in Tewksbury have stopped bothering residents. That is astonishing! The people working in the Burtt Road area are disgusted by the terrible odors and particulates of fecal matter they breathe. I spoke with the plant manager's office of Gillette and was told that it was often impossible for employees to take lunch breaks outdoors. Testimonials on the Web site www.TewksburyOdor.org show the extent of this problem.

Secondly, Carbone said: "We were getting complaints from Ballardvale and Lowell Junction, as was the town of Wilmington and the Tewksbury folks, too. I'm guessing they've got it under control at this point." Who are "they"? I am aware Carbone was formerly the Board of Health director here in Tewksbury and that he knows the current director, but he's guessing about a problem as serious as this? It is not under control.

These comments seem to be an attempt to push this issue under the rug. People from Tewksbury, Wilmington and Andover are extremely upset with the ongoing terrible stench and possible negative health effects of the Krochmal piggery. Our organization obtained over 363 signatures on a petition, in only eight days from a limited part of southeastern Tewksbury adjacent to Andover.

How can an open pit of volatile pig feces from hundreds of pigs at a commercial piggery be normal? There are residents near this pit. If one septic system breaks down it's considered a serious problem. How can this pit of pig feces, which is the equivalent to the waste of thousands of people, be acceptable?

Dave Powers

1286 South St.

Tewksbury

The writer started the Web site www.TewksburyOdor.org