PD News

July 25, 2010

Sen. Musto presents recycling grant to Pittston Twp.

Ian Campbell Dispatch Correspondent

Pittston Township officials announced Monday that the township had received an award of $44,415 for recycling in 2008.

The increases in recycling in 2009 and 2010 should result in greater returns, as both years will likely generate more than the nearly 4500 tons recycled in 2008.

Introducing mandatory commercial recycling in 2008 was a contributing factor to the result, township manager John Bonita noted. The township-wide residential recycling program is likely to boost numbers even more significantly, he said.

Residents wanting more recycling containers can receive them from the township building at a cost of $7 each, supervisors noted.

In other business, council noted that after posting an advertisement for a part-time police clerk on the wall at the municipal building, one applicant came forward for the position. Ben Bartoli is a former police officer in the township, and is likely to provide relief for officers who otherwise would be called in to office work during or after their shifts.

At $11.00 an hour, the job is likely to be spread over five days at four hours a day, and will effectively give the township the services of an additional officer, without the costs involved. Policemen will not have to return to the office to provide copies of reports, and his familiarity with the department and its processes makes him an ideal staff appointment, supervisors noted.

Supervisor Ron Marcellini said he had not been in favor of creating the position at first, but he had come around to seeing its value, he told residents.

Supervisors also awarded a bid to Swida Fencing for the perimeter of the baseball field at Oriole Park.

Swida was the low bidder, at $8,175.

Plans are in process to remove the building at the park, as long as it is cleared by the office of Community Development, and does not hold any historical significance.

Supervisors also extended their thanks to the Mericle Company and its staff for the work they had done in restoring the park, and erecting a pagoda at the Attardo Park.

The work had been done at the company’s expense, and had cost the township nothing, supervisors noted.

In two sewer issues, supervisors noted an agreement with Dupont on sewer connection issues around the Quail Hill development, which had been arranged between the two municipalities, rather than between Dupont and the Pittston Twp. Sewer Authority.

The township also accepted a revised agreement between itself and the sewer authority, in which the township will be asked to compel sewer connections by the authority, and will be repaid its costs in enforcing that connection, according to solicitor John Finnerty.

The authority needs the township to make those legal enforcements as the sewer authority itself does not have that legal power, residents were told.

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