Liberty supers: more recycling service, but use it well / By Martha Knight

LIBERTY VILLA—Liberty township supervisors decided Tuesday night that they will add a fourth recycling bin to the three already in use at the township government complex off Route 155 South. But if abuse of the repository continues, all the bins may be removed.

For several years the township has provided the bins as a service to recycling-minded township residents, and covering Casella Waste Services’ charge by forgoing the remuneration supervisors ordinarily receive for attending township business meetings.

Often trash and litter are found near the bins, and garbage and household trash are found in the bins, in addition to the acceptable recyclables, supervisor chairman Gary Turner said. Township employees often spend time cleaning up the mess, which adds to labor costs and takes crew members from other tasks.

Supervisors decided to see whether adding capacity will cut down on the mess while allowing “good recyclers” to continue to have a service many seem to like. The additional cost will be $55.49 per month. Casella will continue to empty the bins every two weeks.

The supervisors read and discussed a letter from tax collector Sandra Kinney outlining new regulations pertaining to tax collectors’ training. Kinney collects township, county and school taxes from township residents.

Many of the new regulations will not pertain to collectors now in office, who will be “grandfathered,” but will apply to those elected or appointed from now on.

Even where the training requirements might not be mandatory to seasoned tax collectors, Kinney indicated that she and others in the area are interested in keeping their knowledge up to date. She described activities and services of the Pennsylvania State Tax Collectors Association, and a county association.

Mentioning dues and the courses available through the Department of Community and Economic Development, Kinney asked whether the township would cover a third of the $470 cost, or about $157.

Turner and the other supervisor present, Bruce Klein, agreed that they would grant Kinney’s request.

Turner reported on the information and recommendations he has received so far in connection with the request from the Allegheny Mountain Engine and Implement Association’s request to be allowed to purchase the land it now leases, owned by the township.

An appraiser has recommended that the township retain ownership because it is an asset that could be used to collateralize future borrowings should those become necessary. The property has not yet been surveyed, a possible next step should a sale be contemplated.

Turner and Klein indicated that they are more inclined to enter into a new, long-term lease with AMEIA, on reasonable terms. There will be further discussions with the group, which owns a number of buildings and other facilities on the leased land. The lease has expired. Township officials say the organization is an asset to the community, with its annual engine show a popular event.

Plans are virtually finalized, and obtaining of necessary permits is well along, for the extension of water and sewer lines south into the Liberty Villa area of the township, from Port Allegany borough, according to information from E&M Engineers. Turner said he is in hopes bidding can begin soon on the project, estimated to cost about $1.5 million. A grant will cover about 75 percent of the cost.

Turner mentioned a positive opinion offered by a previous fire chief, Tom Johnson, concerning the way township roads have been maintained and improved in the past while.

Randy Hobbs was appointed to the vacancy board, replacing Cliff Fredericks, who had resigned.