Senior citizens who reside in Lower Towamensing Township will see a discount in their garbage rates in 2013.

By a unanimous vote, the township's board of supervisors agreed on Tuesday to adopt a garbage resolution that calls for a $30 reduction for senior citizens ages 65-and-older who are on Medicare and have their current garbage bill paid up to date.That will lower their amount from $230 to $200 per year. The new garbage rate for those who meet the criteria will take effect with the next billing cycle in the spring, said township secretary Christine Wentz.Supervisors Chairman Ron Walbert said last month that because the township has collected close to $20,000 in delinquent garbage bills, it had "an outstanding balance in our garbage fund."At that time, Walbert estimated the move will cost the township about $9,000 next year.Also on Tuesday, resident Joe Weiner questioned supervisors about the hook-up of the Weiner Trailer Court to Palmerton Borough's brand new wastewater treatment plant.But, township solicitor Jim Nanovic said the township needs to have a signed agreement with Palmerton, as well as approval of the Act 537 plan from the state Department of Environmental Protection, before that can occur.In July, supervisors agreed to have the township compensate Palmerton $6,939 for costs it incurred as part of a sewage agreement between the two municipalities.The original amount the township was scheduled to pay the borough was $7,033. But, Supervisor Brent Green said he didn't believe the township should have to pay the borough a $94 cost associated with mileage/lunch. As a result, supervisors agreed to reimburse the borough all but that cost.In March, supervisors decided to adopt an agreement, in principal, to hook-up the Weiner Trailer Court to the borough's brand new wastewater treatment plant.However, as part of that motion, supervisors would not sign the agreement until its Act 537 Plan is signed by DEP.The borough, in March, granted its consent to allow the township to hook up to the borough's new plant, if necessary.At that time, council approved a sewage agreement with the township to accept sewage from the Weiner Trailer Court, as well as five homes along State Road, and possibly more units.Council President Terry Costenbader previously noted the agreement would come at no extra expense to borough residents if a plant extension is required. Instead, it would come at Lower Towamensing's cost, he said.Borough Manager Rodger Danielson previously said the agreement is in the event that portion of the township would require the actual hook up.The trailer court has about 60 units, with the possibility of expanding by another 30 or more, Danielson said. The cost to the township would be determined at the time of hook-up, said Danielson, who added that any money the borough would realize would be placed right back into its operating fund for the sewer plant.In other business, supervisors:- Heard a report on the Appalachian Trail Conservancy from Kim McKee.- Accepted James Sheckler's resignation from the township Planning Commission, and appointed Mike Davis and Robert Kester as alternates.- Agreed to purchase tires from Snyder Tire of Lehighton. The cost for the front tires will be $253 apiece, and the cost for back tires $550 apiece.- Agreed to have Wentz pay all bills until the end of the year.- Granted AT&T a four-month extension.- Announced the board will hold its reorganizational meeting at 3 p.m. Monday, Jan. 7. The regular monthly meeting of the board will follow.