DP News

JACKSON TOWNSHIP

February 7, 2010

Recycling program in jeopardy of being trashed because of misuse

By EILEEN GODIN Dallas Post Correspondent

Jackson Township’s free recycling program may be trashed if garbage is found one more time in the recycling dumpsters, supervisors announced at Monday night’s meeting.

Problems revolving people throwing household trash and a mattress in with cardboard and other recyclables could put an end to a seven-year program. Supervisor Al Fox said the recycling program started to benefit the community.

“This decision to end the program is up to DEP at this point,” Fox said.

The last warning was issued when the dumpsters were recently taken to the recycling facility and debris was found in them. This is not the first time trash was found in the recyclables, chairman John Wilkes Jr. said as there have been problems in the past of non-recyclables being tossed in bins.

Supervisors have taken preventive measures by installing video cameras which reveal people violating the recycling program by going to the municipal building around 10 p.m. and mixing their garbage in unsecured dumpsters of recyclables.

“It is a two percent problem,” Wilkes said. “About 98 percent of people are doing it correctly. Two percent are not.”

Wilkes said the cameras have been repositioned in hopes of identifying the culprits if they return. If caught, those culprits will be prosecuted, according to Wilkes.

This grim news comes after the township recently purchased 1.349 acres next to the municipal building to expand the recycling program. Wilkes said the goal is to fence in the area around the dumpsters and the gate road leading in to the area.

This would control access to the recycling bins as the area would only be open during specific hours, prohibiting those intent on disposing trash.

In other news …

• Supervisors announced an LAG Auction services municipal auction is planned for April 10. Last year, the township held an auction to clean up surplus, odds and ends, machinery and vehicles. This year supervisors hope to re-create the event.

• Supervisors passed a motion to allow all Back Mountain Community Partnership municipalities and Lake-Lehman School District to participate in the auction.

• Wilkes announced the township received a $10,000 Department of Community and Economic Development grant. Supervisors approved a motion to use the grant to purchase a 2010 Crown Victoria police cruiser through the COSTAR’s program.

The cruiser’s price tag is $23,779. Wilkes said the township will save $5,563.20 by purchasing the vehicle through the COSTAR’s program, a cooperative purchasing program geared for municipalities.

The next supervisors meeting will be held at 6 p.m. on Monday, March 1, in the municipal building.

Tweet	Follow @TLnews