Bethlehem Township Comm'rs Do Some Trash Talkin'

Comm'r Felix Barnard listens to trash talk

During the dog days of Summer, when temperatures soar, the alluring aroma of garbage beckons. That's when municipalities with several trash haulers, like Bethlehem Township, wonder whether they would be better off with just one. Township Commissioners considered that option during a hot July in 1999 and 2008. And at their August 6 meeting, they dabbled in a bit of trash talkin' yet again.

Freshman Commissioner Marty Zawarski made the case for the single hauler. He argued that there would be fewer trucks and less of an impact on Township roads. He reasoned that deadly CO2 emissions would be reduced. In a state known as "the Saudi Arabia of natural gas," the Township could even require trash haulers to use trucks powered by natural gas instead of diesel fuel. He pointed out that it might cheaper, too. In Hanover Township, for example, which uses a single hauler, the bill is about half what he pays.

Zawarski also pointed out that at least 25% of the trash in his apartment complex comes from outsiders, where he periodically pulls out envelopes addressed to nonresidents.

"You are treading on a subject that will be very, very controversial," warned long-time Commissioner Tom Nolan. A little more bluntly, Commissioner Mike Hudak asked, "Why do we want to open up this hornet's nest again?" Even more bluntly, President Paul Weiss asked, "It doesn't seem to be broken. Why should we try to fix it?"

Hudak added he's heard no complaints from any residents, and told Zawarski that a single hauler would put many small haulers, including some Township residents, out of business.

Manager Howard Kutzler added that, if the Township decided on a single hauler, he'd need additional staff for the billing and operational concerns. "We are not ramped up to be in the trash hauling business," he advised, although he acknowledged that it does present an opportunity for more revenue at a time when real estate taxes are flat.

President Weiss stated he'd ask Palmer Township about its recent experience to use a single hauler, and report back to Commissioners. But Nolan stressed that, at this point, "the issue is not on the table for any action."

One issue that was on the table, however, was an architectural and engineering study for the Township's 50,000 sq. ft. Community Center, built in 2006. Numerous HVAC issues have plagued the Center. "The building is used quite hard, almost every day of the year," advised Manger Kutzler, who received and reviewed proposals from nine different companies.

According to Commissioner Hudak, the "humidity issues in that building are just horrendous. We need to do something right away." Instead of interviewing the top proposals, Hudak suggested that the Board dispense with a "dog and pony show" and hire First Architects to undertake the study.

Commissioners are expected to vote on a contract engaging First Architects at their August 20 meeting.

In a final item of business, Manager Kutzler told Commissioners that FEMA has completed its flood plain analysis for Nancy Run Creek, which will impact some properties along Sunset Drive. The township will notify these affected owners that FEMA now considers those properties flood-prone.