Cranberry gets $320,000 for yard waste plan
June 24, 2004
By Bob Schultz
Butler Eagle Staff Writer
The Butler County Commissioners on Wednesday approved two separate grants for
nearly $320,000 to help Cranberry Township implement its proposed garbage
recycling plan - a plan that also could result in creating a yard waste facility
in the county.
The commissioners approved a $69,798 state grant and $250,000 from the county
landfill closure trust fund, performance grants and solid waste fees to buy
waste and recycling carts to be used by township residents but to be owned by
the township.
Township manager Jerry Andree said with the money, township residents would see
a drop in trash collection costs if the township decides to contract with a
single waste hauler. Those savings are expected to be outlined at the township
supervisors' meeting at 7 p.m. today in the council chambers.
Also tonight the supervisors will discuss the future of the township's trash
collection plan. The supervisors hope to adopt a new plan by July 29.
Andree said the new solid waste collection program could begin in November.
The township is mandated by the state Department of Environmental Protection to
comply with recycling regulations that require the township to pick up yard
waste at the curb, a service not currently provided by the private haulers.
The township is looking into contracting with a single hauler to provide
multiple waste collection services.
As part of township's bidding process, the township required the bidders to say
how they would dispose of the yard waste. Though they were not required in the
bid specifications to build a facility in the county, the apparent lowest
bidder, Vogel Disposal of Adams Township, stated in its bid that it would build
a yard waste composting facility.
The new composting facility would be at the Seneca Landfill. Township officials
said Vogel Disposal already has the permits required to construct the composting
facility.
The development of a yard waste plan is one of the county's goals as part of its
10-year solid waste plan update recently approved by the state Department of
Environmental Protection.
If Vogel Disposal would build the yard waste composting facility, it could save
the county $3 million to $5 million because the county would not have to build
its own facility, according to solid waste consultant Michelle Nestor, who works
both with the county and the township.
Currently, township residents individually contract their garbage hauling
services. Four companies provide the service: Vogel Disposal Service, JJ Bruner,
BFI and Waste Management, but none provide curbside pickup of yard waste.
Residents pay an average of $42 per quarter for private garbage services.
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