East Union hires cops, adopts seal, discusses recycling program
East Union Township's new seal.
SHEPPTON – East Union Township will soon have two new police officers patrolling the township, and a new seal has been adopted for the township, after Thursday evening’s township supervisors meeting.
In addition, supervisors discussed the current state and future of the township’s recycling program.
The meeting was held via the video conferencing service Zoom.
Recycling Program
Township supervisors discussed the recycling program in the township and its future.
Earlier this month, the recycling center at the township building in Sheppton was shut down as a result of concerns tied to the coronavirus epidemic, and the bins were moved to a “more secure” location after people circumvented barricades to continue using the bins.
“Our township employees had to empty the bins to some degree, as they don’t completely empty into the truck without some manual labor,” Kyle Mummey, supervisors vice-chair said.
Mummey also expressed concerns with the township’s recycling truck, which he said had ten deficiencies after a DOT inspection, seven of which were “out-of-service violations.”
“The truck is essentially parked until the [out-of-service violations] can be mitigated and remediated,” Mummey said.
The bottom of the recycling bin itself was rotted, he said, which would lead to a “significant” repair expense.
Mummey said the estimated cost to the township for 2020 would be $3,939.64, based on $40 per ton recycling costs. Those costs rose to $55 per ton, he said, which would bring the estimate to $5,000.
“That includes fuel, that includes payroll expense, as well as the fees for the recycling,” Mummey said.
He also said one of the bins moved had to be scrapped, and the rest aren’t in great shape either.
“With all of those concerns, my thought is that the township should officially ask the county to take over the recycling program in East Union Township,” said Mummey, who offered to prepare a letter to the Schuylkill County Office of Solid Waste Management, with all three county commissioners carbon copied on it.
Dennis Antonelli, supervisors chairman, said the recycling program involved a township worker driving to Wilkes-Barre twice a week.
“That’s two days out of the week that we can’t accomplish any other kind of work in the township,” Antonelli said.
Alternatives to the recycling program, Antonelli said, include taking recycling out of the municipality to nearby drop-off locations or for residents to contract with a private hauler to collect their recyclables curbside.
Mummey noted that, since Black Creek Township, Luzerne County suspending their recycling program, the use of East Union Township’s has increased.
“I have a concern, as an elected official, using East Union tax dollars to recycle materials that, albeit it’s good for the environment, are originating outside of our township,” Mummey said.
“We will look for an alternative and see what we can do, but it doesn’t look good,” Antonelli said.
Police hires
Township supervisors unanimously approved hiring Frank Gallo and Jordan Smith as part time police officers, who will work 12 hours a week
“This is going to significantly expand our night and weekend coverage,” said Mummey. “That was the whole purpose of [the hires.]”
The two officers are in addition to a full-time officer and two other part-timers.
Township Seal
During the meeting, Mummey pitched a seal design to the other board, which he said could be used on letterhead and on township vehicles.
“We took into consideration our coal mining heritage,” Mummey said, describing the seal, a circle reading “Township of East Union, Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania” surrounding a coal miner with two pickaxes.
The seal was adopted unanimously.
The police patches will remain the same, Mummey said.
Other Business
In other business, township supervisors approved advertising the 2020 roads program.
Work will be done on Market Street, East Pine Street, and Schoolhouse Road, all in Sheppton, supervisors said. Schoolhouse Road will be oil and chipped, and parts of Market and East Pine will be level-coated and oil and chipped.
In other business, supervisors:
- Tabled an ordinance rezoning a property 1/4 mile north of Schoolhouse Road on Route 924 from Highway Commercial to Conservation Residental;
- Approved transferring $8,000 to the park fund account;
- Approved listing old equipment on MuniciBid;
- Approved renewing insurance plans for the township and fire company;
- Approved transferring $11,712 to the general fund from the LST fund for police payroll;
- Approved authorization for Benesch Engineering to apply for a grand for a planned Miner’s Memorial Park in Sheppton;
- Approved the adoption of a new employee handbook;
- Approved an ordinance amending the township’s vehicle code to set guidelines for towing operators.
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