In an unusual turn of events, Mayor David Heintzelman, who normally sits with borough council during meetings, took to the podium March 19 to ask for approval for one of his business ventures.

Heintzelman is both mayor of Hellertown and supervisor at Heintzelman Funeral Home on Main Street. In addition, he and his brother Robert formed Lehigh Valley Crematory Services.

Heintzelman’s request is to convert a three-car garage that he owns at 415 Front St. into an animal crematorium. He hopes to “enhance” and add two machines for the sole purpose of cremating animals. The plan includes cosmetic improvements and possibly adding windows, 10 parking spaces and a sidewalk. Once all the clearances are in place, the estimated time frame for completion is four months.

Hellertown’s planning commission has already approved the site plan with a few minor stipulations, that the property has sufficient lighting in parking areas, pavement markings and tree planting.

There is another crematorium a block away. The planning commission concluded that by adding this new animal crematorium together with the other crematorium, noise and fumes would not be an issue.

For council to approve the move, one of the stipulations is they conclude that the animal crematorium does not detract from use and enjoyment of neighboring properties, including the public welfare.

The plan did not come without objections. Dr. Susan Ackermann, who is a veterinarian at The Cat Doctor, located at 415 Main St., raised concerns.

Ackermann noted she has a unique perspective with animal bodies both live and dead. She has been a veterinarian for 30 years and worked at two animal cremation facilities prior to receiving her doctoral degree.

Ackermann said EPA standards for emissions on animal crematoriums are “light” and the bulk of restrictions occur at the state and local level with very little uniformity. Ackermann went onto to note these facilities are air polluting and should not infringe upon residents who may be nearby. Her main concern is the location because it’s close to residential homes, a child care facility and the Saucon Creek. She said her concern is the possibility that it will cause nuisances such as “noise, odor, dust, smoke, fumes, gases, emissions and invincible particulate matter which causes disease.” She added property values could go down as well.

Ackermann brought a stack of medical articles for the record that discuss odorless and invisible gases given off by animal crematoriums. She also mentioned Pennsylvania has had citizens who have brought legal action against towns, citing respiratory diseases brought on by crematoriums. In addition, she said some towns are now banning crematoriums.

Heintzelman refuted her notion that it would hurt property values because the building is in bad shape and he will be improving it. Also, he noted animal cremation facilities are governed by the DEP and the same restrictions on human cremation would be followed in this case. Heintzelman questioned the notion that Pennsylvania does not have stringent rules. He said by law, no one can cremate human or animal remains under 1,800 degrees, based on environmental reasoning and most states in the U.S. do not have the 1,800 degrees requirement.

Heintzelman summarized by saying, “I live for this town…if I thought for one minute this would affect the kids or our community, I would not be here.”

Ultimately borough council unanimously approved the crematorium with the caveat that it meets all DEP regulatory approvals.