MENTZ, N.Y. -- A fight against the proposed manure lagoon in the town of Mentz is picking up steam.

Officials talked about the project for the first time at a town hall Monday night.

At a quick glance, it was just another town board meeting. But look closer and it’s clear this is a town seeking to defend itself.

“The overwhelming majority that have made comments are against having a facility like this in our town,” said Mentz Councilor Matthew Poyneer.

Monday night the Mentz town board held a hearing to discuss a proposed manure lagoon on Maiden Lane Road.

The project has caused strife in the town — residents concerned the project will depreciate their quality of life.

In attendance was the group called Mentz Against Manure Lagoon, the group that brought this project to the town’s attention.

A few elements became clear at this hearing — under the state’s right to farm act, the project must be approved by the DEC, not the town. Therefore, the town has no say.

According to the DEC, the project has been stopped temporarily.

A notice of violation was issued to the company CH4 Generate Cayuga for starting the construction on the land without proper DEC approvals.

According to a county legislator, the land is owned by Hourigan’s Dairy Farm which has does have the proper permits from the DEC.

But they’re leasing to CH4, a company that he says made an agreement with Cayuga County’s soil and water.

“It’s for CH4 to operate the digester that’s out at the soil and water facility,” said Cayuga County Legislator Benjamin Vitale.

For residents and the town, this is just the start of a long path of resistance.

“As long as we stand united I think we stand a better chance of being heard,” said Sherry Menotti, the Mentz Against Manure Lagoon co-founder.

The town board says it will be reaching out to the DEC and the county’s soil and water.

The board plans to have representatives at the next hearing public hearing.