somthing stinks in newton

[JoeP]

It's garbage night in Newton and I'm still upset with the Township's handling of this Waste Disposal contract.  Whether I desire their services or not, I don't like something rammed down my throat.

So here are some more ramblings on this subject.

1. Why didn't the Township use its (otherwise useless) website (or any website) to post the (then) proposed Waste Management contract so those with computers could have accessed and viewed it?  The URL address could have been included in the Survey sent to the residents.  Paper copies of the contract should have been posted in other public places like Stanges.  Here is another one of those "you come to us because we don't serve you" situations.  Or would have Waste Management objected to this type of public scrutiny (we will never know)?

2. Was the proposed contract reviewed by the Township solicitor whose primary interest is protecting Newton and its residents?

3. Who counted the returned votes?  Was the count witnessed and by whom?  Were the results published in the media?

4. After talking with other Newton residents and an unnamed Township employee, we suspect the Township Supervisors may have had a hidden agenda.  We understand some of the newer and more affluent residents were complaining about residents burning their garbage (smell, smoke, etc.).  But the real gripe was about some residents burning more than their personal household refuse - such as construction material (lumber, sub-flooring, linoleum, roofing, recyclable plastics, etc.) most of which gives off a pungent and sickening odor.  But instead of the Township going after these few abusers, they took the easy way out.  Force everyone into a private waste disposal service and ban all burning.  If they couldn't enforce the old rules, I don't think they are going to be any more successful in enforcing the new rule.

5. I'm told by those close to Township affairs that the Newton Recycling Center brought in a considerable amount of revenue that was used to improve the Township in several ways, plus purchase a truck.  By the way, this was another one of those things that was never really broadcast to the residents.  Many didn't even know we had a Recycling Center (I know "ya gotta come to a meeting if ya wanna know what's going on.  Internet - what's that?").  Anyway, how does the Township replace this lost revenue?  You got it - I'm told Waste Management offered a kickback for getting all the residents into their billing system.  The unnamed employee said it would make the Recycling Center look like small potatoes.  Really?  Was this new revenue stream made public?  Was the revenue from the now former Township Recycling Center made public?  Why wasn't this information presented to the residents so we could make an informed choice?  Or was this another hidden agenda item?

6. Informed decisions require sufficient data and in this case - to truly understand why the majority (per the Township Supervisors) voted the way they did.  Again, I heard 2nd hand that less than half of the residents returned their survey and of that, about 65% favored the proposal.  But what we don't know, of those who favored the proposal, is how many of them were already utilizing Waste Management and therefore were quite happy to vote for a rate decrease?  The survey didn't ask this question so forming any type of conclusion is meaningless.  If less than half of the residents voted, would this be considered a sufficient quorum to really make a valid determination?  Did anyone from the Township reach out to some of the residents who did not vote and ask them why?  Or was the outcome predetermined?  

7. So why didn't the Township negotiate with Waste Management to secure a discount for those residents who wanted their services, keep the Newton Recycling center in operation (for those residents who wished to handle their own trash), and let Waste Management handle the Recycling Center?  Wouldn't we all be winners?  But Waste Management told the Township that our Recycling Center must go as part of the deal.  And the winners were Waste Management and the Township supervisors.

This whole things smells.

For those of you who asked it I have received a response to my letter to the Township Supervisors, well not yet.  Nor do I really expect to.  Do you think the Supervisors look at this site?  Maybe they should.  

[rosy]

i don't think the web site was around then. and from what i have heard, the vote they sent around was just a joke, they already agreed to the deal before they even sent it out. they only did it to quit a few people.

[Sal]

Hi Joe and welcome to the community forum.

I noticed that you mentioned the township’s  website in two posts.  Is there another website other than this one?  I could not find any website for the township.

I made NewtonPA.com and this community forum a few weeks ago.  This website was put up at my expense and my time.  This website does not cost the taxpayers anything and the “Township” pays noting and does not contribute any information or anything else.  Getting information to put on this website involves the same problems that everyone has when trying to get information from the Township.  You have to squeeze it out.    However I am getting the information a little at a time and putting it on the website.

Time is also a problem.  It took a lot of time to put the website together, gather information and put it on here.  I had hopes that after it was started, people from the community would get involved and help maintain the website.  I am confident that in time people will see the value in the website and get involved.  In the meantime I have limited time to gather information and work on this website.  However, anyone can post information on this board.

This website is for the people of Newton Township.  It is not under the control of the township supervisors and never will be.  However, there is noting preventing any township official from participating.  It benefits the community; it is completely free and at absolutely no cost to the taxpayers.  Now if this was a government website, you would not have freedom of speech as you have here and I am sure it would cost the taxpayers a fortune.  

[JoeP]

Hi Sal, the site I am referring to is http://city.state-pa.us/Lackawanna-County/Newton-Township

It has been there for awhile and it may have been put up as part of a larger state wide resource.  Regardless, the Supervisors need to move into the 21st Century and use various communications technologies (postal service, Email, Internet and yes, the telephone) to reach out to their residents.  Right now they only know one - come to the meeting.

If the Township Supervisors approached EPIX I'm sure they could get a deal and some assistance in setting up a web page and bulk Emailer on their servers in return for a little free advertising of EPIX services.  

Your efforts are very much appreciated and the value of this "independent" forum will become more apparent in time as more residents learn of it.   I will gladly try to give what assistance I can in supporting and maintaining the Newton Community forum.  I am a retired IT professional, we have several computers and a network in my house.  While I haven't built any web sites, my boys have (and won some awards in the process) so we do have some expertise here.

Let me and others know what ways we can help and in he meantime I'll continue (from time to time) to post subjects (or ramblings) I hope the residents find interesting.

Thanks.

[Sal]

Hi Joe,

I saw that link that you have there but that is not the township website.  The county has some pages that are general information for municipalities.

I was thinking of adding a link on the main page to free listings for all the businesses located within Newton Township.  If someone compiles a list with the business name address and telephone number, I will add it to the site.  The file can be in html format or plain text.

We also need information fire department, police and Recreation Center.  The file can be in html or plain text.

If anyone would like to cover meetings and write about it that would be fine too.

[JoeP]

Well it still stinks in Newton.  Not a peep out of the Newton Supervisors and no response at least to my letter or to anyone else's questions or complaints.  It seems the word "communication" is not in their vocabulary.  Do these guys get paid for this?

Anyway, according to one Township Official, who I spoke with just prior to the new garbage contract going into effect, the burning ordinance would now be enforced.  After all, this is why the Township Supervisors, in their infinite wisdom, entered into a contract with Waste Mgmt. - because some residents complained about the burning.

Well about 2 weeks ago, a nearby resident was having some of his trees and accumulated wood stock cleaned up and it was shoved into a big pile about 10 feet high by 20 feet wide and they threw a match on it on a Friday afternoon.  With all the rain, it just slowly burned and smoldered and smelled like hell, the kind of smell that gives you a headache, all weekend.

The following Monday I call the Township to complain and they tell me - are you ready for this - it is not illegal to burn in Newton!!  Holy burn barrel Batman!  So I explain the size of this fire, it is in the woods, not in a clearing and they ask is someone watching it?  Watching it?  I tell the Township that they lit it up on Friday and walked away.  So now I'm told it must be supervised and they will send the Fire Marshall to investigate.  Did I hear anything back?  You're kidding?

Well, I guess I'll go and fire up my burn barrels again.  The supervisors obviously don't know what's going on or don't care.

Joe

[JoeP]

Not getting any response from our Newton Township Supervisors to written questions about the new Waste Management (WM) contract, I made some calls on my own.  Here is what I found out;

1. There was some confusion regarding the Senior Resident rate and whether or not that included curbside recycling.  Initially we were told in the Township's letter that curbside recycling was included, then a spokesperson for the Township said it was not.  I called WM (on 6/8/04) and they told me that for Newton Senior residents, the rate is $37.32 per quarter for one 30 gallon bag per week and this *includes separate* curbside recycling.

2. WM also informed me the affidavits for the Senior rate and Low Income rate are handled by the Township and they are responsible for informing the residents of their availability (at the Township building) and what is required to complete these forms.  The completed forms are then faxed by the Township to WM.

3. I asked WM about the low income requirement, was it based on Federal or State income tax returns.  For seniors, the State method would be preferable since Pensions are not considered income.  Again, WM said that's up to the Township to determine.  I called Newton Township and the secretary informed me they determine income based on "IRS rule" which would indicate reportable "Federal" income is used.

4. I discovered some residents still are on the buy a bag program where special blue colored bags are purchased from WM (the bags are labeled Apex Waste Services) for $2.50 each.  There is a $3.00 monthly fee in addition to the cost of the bags, which can be purchased at their Dunmore office.  I asked if Newton residents could switch over to this option and WM said no, they are tying to phase out this particular program.  The people in this program prior to this new "Newton" contract were grandfathered.

I hope this helps clarify things a little.

Joe

[firefightr2oo6]

i though with the contract nobody could be cancelled from garbage pick up?