A township man accused of burning pallets repeatedly on his property has been warned by the Department of Environmental Protection to clean up his act after neighbors complained to authorities of the smoke and noxious smell.

Township police issued William Doheny, 61, a citation Sunday for violating the township's nuisance ordinance, according to police Chief Guy Lesser. This was not the first time police visited Doheny's property in the 1900 block of Leithsville Road.

"I know that we've had complaints about him in the past and that he's been, at the very least, warned by our department," Lesser said.

Doheny did not return a message left for him Tuesday.

Neighbor Scott Szabo called authorities about 2:30 p.m. Sunday to report Doheny was once again burning on his property, which is the home of Countryside Pallet Inc.

Szabo's wife, Sharon Szabo, said she is aware of at least three times Doheny has burned on his property. She fears his habits are a danger to her family and property.

"He's almost set our house on fire," she said.

She said that one time last summer she returned home to find her yard shrouded in smoke and sparks on the lawn. Her property, in the 1600 block of Edward Drive, is separated from Doheny's by a wooded area.

She also does not want her children playing outside with thick smoke hanging in their yard.

DEP spokesman Mark Carmon said officials visited Doheny's property May 30. The next day, Doheny was issued a notice of violation for burning pallets, Carmon said. He was told to stop burning and remove all materials within 30 days.

"That's not allowed under the solid waste management act because that's commercial activity," Carmon said. "We will be following up on that notice of violation once the 30-day period is over."

If he continues to burn, Carmon said, he could face escalated enforcement, such as a fine.

Lesser said police also responded to Doheny's property last month, but he was not sure if he was fined after that incident. That time, he allegedly told police a friend was burning on his property.

The township ordinance, which Lesser said is very restrictive, bans any burning that causes smoke to leave one property and affect other people.

Reporter Bevin Milavsky can be reached at 610-867-5000 or by e-mail at bmilavsky@express-times.com.