By Josh Woods Staff Writer
DUBOIS - Residents of Sandy Township made a pre-emptive strike at the board of supervisors' meeting last night, expressing their views on refuse collection. The board met before an overflow crowd, many of whom came to express that they wish to choose who collects their refuse.
A recent letter to the editor and phone conversations between residents and Township Manager Dick Castonguay sparked the discussion. Castonguay said the township was receiving free recycling services from Veolia Environmental Services until the end of 2009 when its contract with the company expired. Though the company is still collecting recyclables free of charge, it has inquired about the inclusion of refuse collection in future contracts. The township is mandated by the state Department of Environmental Protection to provide recycling because it has a population of more than 10,000 residents.
Castonguay said the matter has been turned over to Solicitor Greg Kruk for review. A number of issues need to be examined if a contract is to include recycling, refuse collection and leaf pickup. Some of those issues are how to keep services affordable for township residents, what to do about part-time residents, determining who is a licensed hauler in Clearfield County and determining what landfills are licensed to accept refuse.
Solicitor Kruk said other major issues the township is dealing with - the Treasure Lake borough incorporation issue and a new zoning ordinance - held up his review of the refuse and recycling issue. Kruk said he has not met with the supervisors on the issue, a contract has not been presented to the board of supervisors and a legal opinion has not been formed at this point.
"We want choice, we want to be able to pick our own provider," said resident Barbara Johnston. "I think the board needs to rethink its direction."
Several residents echoed that sentiment; some of whom represented local refuse collectors.
"You don't know if we're in favor of this or not in favor of this," said Supervisor Dave Sylvis. "It hasn't even been brought to the board yet.
"I'd appreciate it if everyone didn't form an opinion of the board prematurely. We simply said our solicitor is looking into the legalities of this."
Sylvis said he took offense to rumors that the township receives a kickback from Veolia. Veolia he said offered recycling services for free and "received zero from the township."
Resident Foster Crawford said he was on the board of directors at Treasure Lake at the time the issue of having a contract with a provider came up there.
He said he was against contracting with one refuse collector because of the potential impact on small business owners.
"The supervisors may not be for this either," said Crawford. "It's their duty to check with the solicitor before the state asks them to act."
Supervisor Jim Jeffers thanked the residents for their input, and noted the difference between positive and negative feedback. The board is open to positive comments that provide forward thinking on an issue or offer helpful suggestions, he said, but those who give false information or make false allegations should feel ashamed.
Castonguay said though nothing has been decided the board could elect to vote on a contract with an approved list of licensed refuse collectors.
During additional public comment, resident Bill Kirk asked how the Kiwanis Trail/West Sandy Township water project was progressing. Engineer Perry Bowser said the township is currently seeking to secure interim financing.
If it is secured by the end of the February, project construction could begin as early as May.
At the municipal authority meeting, Bowser said the township is progressing with easements and would likely get them signed.
A Community Development Block Grant public hearing was set for Feb. 15 at 7 p.m. Castonguay said the township has not been notified of what its CDBG amount would be this year nor has it received any submission dates or guidelines. He said the township's allocation was approximately $180,000 last year.
Castonguay discussed renewing a master lease with 12th Congressional Region Equipment Center. The township signed a lease with 12th Congressional Region about 10-12 years ago for the leasing of specialized equipment. Castonguay said the lease has not been renewed in some time and would cost the township $300 if it chose to do so.
The lease would allow Sandy Township access to bulldozers, graders, front-end loaders and other equipment. A motion was made and approved to renew the master lease with 12th Congressional Region Equipment Center.
A land development plan was approved for DuBois Continuum of Care Community Inc. for the construction of additional structures. The Continuum of Care project would take part in three phases: an addition to DuBois Village, a new community center and new apartment buildings. A sewage facilities planning module exemption was approved for the project.
Correspondence was received concerning Fort Worth Pipe Services' National Pollutant Discharge Elimination Services permit. Fort Worth has submitted permit application revisions after its original application was found to be administratively incomplete.
The township learned its county aid/Liquid Fuel allocation for 2010 is $9,864.84.
Other items approved by the board were:

• paying municipal authority bills in the amount of $14,235.71.
• the Shaffer, Wood and Alker (Milliron) subdivision requests.
• setting a public hearing for the Steliotes lot consolidation request at Treasure Lake.
• a storm management plan maintenance agreement for Priority First Credit Union located on Midway Drive.
• reopening the township's Uniform Construction Code service agreement for adoption.
  Sandy Township's next municipal authority and board of supervisors' meetings are scheduled for Feb. 15 at 7 p.m. at the municipal building.