GREENFIELD — A self-described pig farmer embroiled with Deerfield over the condition of his property has accused town officials of being dishonest about photographs taken of his land.
Stanley Romanowski, 65, of 97 Stillwater Road, claims photos submitted in Western Housing Court in Greenfield were taken earlier in the year than November, like Deerfield Health Agent Richard Calisewski states. Romanowski claims the images were taken in the summer and he has since cleared the debris and empty boxes depicted in the photos.
However, Calisewski told Judge Robert G. Fields during a court hearing on Friday that the photo Romanowski has was taken from a different angle than his, and Romanowski simply covered the debris with leaves.
Fields did not comment on the merit of the photographs and seemed interested only in gathering the facts of the case, which dates to 2008. Romanowski and the town scheduled a 9 a.m. inspection of Romanowski’s principal dwelling, where he lives, and the land surrounding it on Tuesday, and an inspection of an occupied dwelling on the property at 2 p.m. on Thursday. Fields ordered both parties back to court on Jan. 17 to revisit the case.
Calisewski said there will also be a police officer at the inspections to keep the peace.
Romanowski’s property is littered with containers, boxes, debris, rotten food and some vehicles, though there are no longer pigs. The town has received numerous complaints over the years.
Charlie Kaniecki, a retired district health officer who works for Deerfield as a special health officer, told Fields the town got involved in May 2008 because the piggery “needed some guidance in operation,” as there was food waste, junk and other debris scattered around the property. The town sets rules for Romanowski to follow to keep the farm running, and Kaniecki said the parties worked well together for several years.
However, Romanowski reportedly continues to saturate his property with decaying food that Kaniecki said attracts rodents. Calisewski told Fields that Romanowski also collects junk from around town.
Fields told Romanowski there must be no further placement of debris on his land until at least Jan. 17, the case’s next court date. Romanowski said he had planned to bring to his property some cabbage his friends let him harvest. But Calisewski told Fields that “the cabbage is not fit for human consumption” and is “basically garbage.”
Romanowski said he believes Deerfield is targeting him, and claimed “this will be resolved by the (District Attorney’s) Office.”
Selectboard member Carolyn Shores Ness said this is not an attempt to bully Romanowski or affect his right to farm.
“There are no pigs. This is not about pigs,” she told the Greenfield Recorder. “It’s illegal dumping.”
Reach Domenic Poli at: dpoli@recorder.com or 413-772-0261, ext. 262.