Lower Towamensing Township plans to crack down on residents who are delinquent on their garbage bills.

On a 2-0 vote Tuesday, the township's board of supervisors agreed that residents who owe $500 or more on their garbage rates will be sent to the district magistrate.Supervisors Chairman Ron Walbert and Supervisors Jesse Mendez voted in favor of the action. Supervisor Glen Hahn was absent.Walbert said the township is owed $31,408 in delinquency bills. Out of the 63 residents who are delinquent on their garbage bills, about 18 owe $500 or more."This is of grave concern to me," Walbert said. "This is a rather large delinquency bill."Township solicitor Jim Nanovic told supervisors past practice has been for the township to take the violators to the office of the district justice.Resident Peter Terp said that while the situation is of concern, it isn't limited solely to the township."This garbage bill collections seems to go throughout the county and perhaps the entire state," Terp said. "I'd like to see if we can come up with a solution to address this problem once and for all."Terp then suggested that a survey be conducted on all housing units in the township."I think we should have a cut rate for seniors [citizens]," Terp said. "Instead of going after the deadbeats, it hurts people that do pay properly because then you have to raise the rates."Nanovic agreed the situation must be addressed."You have to do something," Nanovic said. "You can't just let them go."Walbert said that while times may be tough, there has to be a cut off point.Also on Tuesday, supervisors agreed to pursue extra recycling bins.Walbert said Carbon County no longer supplies the bins to municipalities."I don't think the township should have to pay for this," Walbert said.Mendez said he should be able to get bins for the township."There are some municipalities that have bins that are just sitting there and they don't use them," Mendez said. "If we can come up with about 200 or 300 bins..."Mendez also asked residents to alert the township if they observe any tires along township roads."No matter what municipality you go to, it seems like you always have problems with used tires," Mendez said. "I wish the people in the township, if they observe this, would please make sure they get caught and make sure they pay a heavy fine."Supervisors also agreed to award bids for stone, antiskid and blacktop.Supervisors awarded bids for dirt gravel to Stockerton Materials at a rate of $10.74; 2b stone to Eastern Industries, $13.50; #4 stone to Eastern Industries, $12.50; antiskid to Eastern Industries, $12; and a blacktop bid to Hanson Aggregates.The blacktop bid was awarded to Hanson Aggregates for 9.5 millimeter fine grade at an amount of $54.40; 9.55 wearing course, $53.85; 19 millimeter wearing, $51.10; 25 millimeter binder, $47.25; and 25 millimeter base course, $46.15.In an unrelated matter, supervisors agreed to readvertise for bids for the township's zoning and Subdivision and Land Development Ordinance (SALDO).Finally, Walbert said the Aquashicola Fire Department's audit has been completed and is available in the township office for public inspection.