During a meeting Thursday, Rush Township supervisors awarded a $1,488,649 five-year garbage contract to Tamaqua Transfer and Recycling, the lone bidder.

Tamaqua Transfer also bid for one year at $282,600 and for three years at $866,310 ($288,770) a year. The supervisors opted to lock in the five-year rate, which breaks down to $297,730 per year. Tamaqua Transfer and Recycling holds the current contract, a three-year agreement for $539,385, signed in September 2016.

Garbage rates will go up from $180 per year to $194 per year, or about $1.16 higher per month. The good news is that the new rate for residents will begin in March 2020 and remain the same for five years, Chairman Shawn Gilbert said.

In other action, on the advice of police Chief Kenneth Zipovsky, the supervisors hired two part-time police officers. Darryl Hatter, of Bushkill, and Esmerlyn Francisco, of Hazleton, will be paid $20 an hour.

During August, the department responded to 139 incidents and complaints, making three criminal arrests.

The Rush Township October meeting date has been changed from Oct. 17 to Oct. 24. The second annual Rush Township Police 5K will be held at 10 a.m. Oct. 19, beginning at the Hometown Market parking lot.