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News Article

Mandatory Recycling to Begin in Upper Hanover

Written by Jennifer Butler Kirkwood and Kelly Chandler
2013-02-13

On Tuesday night, Upper Hanover supervisors voted unanimously to advertise an ordinance that, once adopted, will require all township residents to recycle. The program is slated to begin April 1.

The new ordinance will meet the requirements of PA Act 101 which requires municipalities with populations between 5,000 and 10,000, and more than 300 persons per square mile, to establish curbside collection of recyclables.

Township Manager Stan Seitzinger explained that a recycling program is mandatory for Upper Hanover based upon the results of the 2010 U.S. census.

“We were mandated by the state to do this because of the township’s population,” Seitzinger explained. “To a large extent, however, people are already recycling. The only difference is now it will be mandatory.”

Under the ordinance, residents will be required to separate aluminum, glass, plastics and yard/leaf waste.

Residents will be responsible for choosing a private hauler they want to use, while many can use their current waste hauler, officials said. Those waste haulers/recyclers must be registered in the township and can be viewed on the township’s website, www.upperhanovertownship.org.

Commercial, municipal and institutional properties are also mandated to recycle under the ordinance. If those companies have alternate recycling arrangements, not made through their waste hauler, they will be required to fill out written reports detailing the recycling tonnage.

Yard and leaf waste recycling, also necesitated by the ordinance, is picked up by each waste hauler twice a year by law. The township has also contracted with John Miller and Son, Inc., a recycling facility located at 2542 Geryville Pike, Pennsburg, to accept yard and leaf waste, excluding grass clippings, beginning April 1 for residents.

That waste will be accepted free of charge the first Saturday of each month, free of charge, from 8 a.m. until 12 noon. Residents are asked to bring identification with them when they drop off materials.

As of April 1, residents will no longer be allowed to burn leaves or yard waste.

To help residents understand the general methods and impact of the proposed ordinance, the facts published in the township newsletter have also been posted on the township’s website on the “Recycling and Going Green” page.

In other business, supervisors presented a 15-year service award to Alexander D. Anastas for his service to the township on the Upper Hanover Authority. Anastas’ term on the authority ended December 31, 2012.

In related business, supervisors voted unanimously to appoint Anastas to a vacant position on the township’s planning commission. Chairman Richard Fain thanked Anastas for stepping down from one township position only to accept another.

“That’s real commitment and we thank you,” Fain said.

Under special items, resident Larry Roeder reported on behalf of the Upper Hanover Historical Committee that plans are under way to commemorate the township’s 275th anniversary in 2016. Roeder explained that the historical committee will begin work on a publication to detail the history of the township through present day.

The book will be published to be cost neutral for the township. Supervisors endorsed the idea.

“You have our full support,” Fain said of the endeavor.

In parks and recreation business, Supervisor Eugene Fried reported that the committee will not hold its scheduled meeting on February 25 so members can attend the “Conversations with your Commissioners” event at the UPSD administration building.

Fried also reported on roads and bridges business, announcing that Representative Marcy Toepel and Senator Bob Mensch will facilitate a conference call with the county commissioners’ office regarding a timeframe for repairs to the Fruitville Road Bridge. Fried, Seitzinger, and Supervisor Ben Fiorito will all be on the call and report the outcome to the board.

“The call is really more of a fact-finding and no decisions will be made,” Fiorito added. “We should get some of these details that we are all waiting for.”

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