The cost of garbage permits in Penn Forest Township have gone down this year. The township has also added a limited usage permit. The prices for a one-year permit are as follows:

Regular residential permit: $75 for four bags per week, backpunching is allowed. This price is available until Jan. 6. There is a $1 charger per extra bag.Limited usage permit: $50 for two bags per week, no backpunching allowed. This permit is not available after Jan. 6. There is a $1 charger per extra bag.A fee schedule is available for bigger items.The following items are not accepted at the transfer station: boats, riding mowers, mopeds, mini bikes, batteries, car parts, plasma or LCD TVs or computer monitors, oil, paint, propane, shrubs, leaves or brush, building materials (wood, brick, shingles, tar paper, windows, etc.)Tires will be accepted this year for a small fee.After Jan. 6, a $25 penalty fee will be applied to the cost of a permit. The price will then be $100 for any unpaid residential 2012 Transfer Station/Garbage Bill. After that date a $50 penalty fee will be applied to the price of any unpaid commercial 2012 Transfer Station/Garbage Bill. The price will then be $225.In addition to the changes in garbage permit fees, the transfer station in Penn Forest has new hours for 2012. They are as follows:Sunday from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m.; Monday from 8 a.m. until 4 p.m.; Wednesday from 11 a.m. until 7 p.m.; and Saturday, from 8 a.m. until 4 p.m.Anyone who uses a licensed Carbon County private hauler is encouraged to mail or bring in a copy of their paid-in-full contract to the municipal building at 2010 State Route 903, Jim Thorpe, PA 18229.For more information, call (570) 325-2769 or email

pftcah@ptd.net.