Recycling Makes Cents

The township netted a total of $577.52 in revenue from the collection of recyclables in November. A total of 23.6 tons of newspaper was dropped off in the bin behind the municipal building, while 24.4 tons of recyclables were picked up curbside. Over 2 tons of scrap metal were collected, in addition to the 178 lbs. of aluminum cans collected by the Aston Lions Club.

Single-stream curbside recycling collections are now made by township personnel, in an effort to save taxpayer dollars. For fiscal 2008, the township anticipates saving $65,000 through single-stream collections. The curbside collection of recyclables now includes bundled or bagged newspapers on the same day that co-mingled plastic, bi-metal and glass containers are picked up.

PLEASE DO NOT PUT PAPERS DIRECTLY INTO THE CAN WITH CO-MINGLED RECYCLING ITEMS

Residents needing to replace recycling containers may purchase new blue cans ($14) and lids ($4) at the municipal building.

***

Drainage Fights West Nile

The Aston Board of Health is reminding residents to completely drain all birdbaths and pools in preparation for winter. Even a small volume of stagnant water can allow mosquito larvae to survive, even under a layer of ice. Controlling the mosquito population is the key to checking the spread of West Nile Virus.

Ruling On Senior Housing Proposal Delayed

At the applicant’s request, commissioners’ consideration of a plan to build 182 age-restricted condos on a 10-acre parcel between Pennell and Old Pennell Rds. was postponed last month, with a new deadline of Feb. 21 set for a board ruling. Before commissioners render a decision, however, they would like to hear citizens’ concerns via phone calls or emails.

A number of building plans have been floated by the Joseph Grace Real Estate Company, but all the earlier versions were scrapped for a variety of reasons. The current proposal calls for four residential buildings (two at

51,800 sq. ft. and two at 63,000 sq. ft.) and a two-story clubhouse to be constructed in and around very steep slopes. The site would be served by an access off Rte. 452, while an emergency-only access comes off Old Pennell, across from Manor Dr.

Construction of buildings in a steep-slope area was approved by the township’s zoning board in October. The pending decision for commissioners involves building roadways and placing utilities (sanitary sewer and stormwater lines) in steep slopes. The proposed road system would employ fences, guardrails, and retaining walls up to 14 feet in height to ensure safety.

A total of 265 parking spaces are currently proposed for the complex, while only 210 are required by township ordinance.

Township Engineer Joseph Viscuso and Commissioner Michael Higgins suggested that reducing the overage of parking spaces and/or the size of one condo building could lead to less slope disturbance on the site.

Commissioners James McGinn and Michael Fulginiti both said that they did not want any reductions to the proposed parking space count. McGinn noted that the new Maris Grove facility in Concord Township is already suffering chronic parking shortages, even before the retirement community has been completely built.

“I’m for all the parking we can get, wherever we can get it, so that the neighbors and the community will be served much better,” Fulginiti stated.

According to the applicant, no blasting is planned on the site, and there will be no negative impact on neighbors during construction. If all approvals are granted, construction could begin as early as next spring.

***

Fire Services Under Review

According to Commissioner/Fire Committee Chairman Frank Murphy, all aspects of fire protection delivery and funding are currently under review.

“The township is actively engaged with both fire companies to discuss the future of fire service in Aston Township.