Board of Supervisors Meet, Dispel Rumors

Despite town gossip, Chairman George Komelasky made it clear he had not heard anything confirming rumors that the Richboro post office might be closed or Northampton Township could be split up in state redistricting. These were two of the important matters discussed at the Northampton Township Board of Supervisors meeting last night in the , 55 Township Rd.

“I think this is a situation that before something happens we should have the administration send a letter to our congressmen saying we’re tired of being considered second class citizens,” Komelasky said. “We expect bigger and better things, not a closing of this branch.”

About 20 citizens attended the two-hour meeting, and two spoke during public comment. The men voiced their concerns about budgetary transparency and wells polluted on the west end of the township that weren’t being fully advertised to the people.

Some supervisors countered the concerns by pointing out the township’s financial information is available in monthly reports on its website, which, compared to many other townships in the area, is more comprehensive and offers more information to its residents.

One important change for township residents come April will be the way their recycling is picked up. Starting April 1, the township will segue into single stream collection recycling, a program where all types of recyclable materials can be deposited in the same container to be sorted at the collection site. This way, residents won’t need to separate newspaper from other items, allowing for more materials to be collected overall, Township Manager Bob Pellegrino said.

“We’re at the point to make a bold change in the way we handle our trash and our refuse,” he said. “Any ecological-minded resident who wants to recycle can put more things in.”

Pellegrino added that the more money the township gains through the sale of recyclable materials in this program, the longer the trash fee will stay at its current rate of $340 per year.

Residents should hear more information about the program in the coming months, he said.

Also on the agenda was the approval of bids for new township equipment such as police uniforms, leaf bags and road signs. Komelasky noted that a previous bid for the janitorial staff that cleans township buildings was $100,000 and by soliciting different companies and advertising, they were able to find a bid for a contract that costs on $48,800 this year.

After the call to order, Komelasky summoned two local students to lead the room in the Pledge of Allegiance as recognition by the Veterans Advisory Committee for supplying their talents at various events. Afterward, he presented Hailey Brown, a singer, and Ryan Carlin, a bugle player, each with a framed certificate of appreciation for their service to the community.

The board will meet next at 7:30 p.m. on March 23, 2011 in the Administration Building.