Towamensing residents will not see a hike in garbage fees in 2021, but commercial properties will, officials say.

On Dec. 3, the Towamensing Township Board of Supervisors held a meeting at the municipal building.

Supervisor John Kleintop discussed the upcoming garbage rates for 2021.

Residential rates will maintain the same level as this year.

Kleintop even stated that the residential rates are “lower than all the municipalities currently that surround this community.”

On the other hand, commercial garbage rates will be increasing this upcoming year. Adjustments for establishments will vary depending on the number of times the garbage gets picked up as well as the size of the containers.

“Looking at our commercial rates, our commercial rates have kind of been a little hit and miss all over the board and we worked very hard to try to standardize those rates based on the size of the containers that would be present at the businesses. So the commercial rates are going to have an adjustment to them starting in 2021,” Kleintop said.

Chairman Guy Seifert made a motion to pass the resolution to set both the residential and commercial garbage rates for 2021, and the motion carried.

Vice Chairman Scott Mosier announced that construction on the local recycling center is 90% complete and that they are waiting for the electrical work.

Kleintop issued a warning to people attempting to dump waste at both the current recycling station and the new one stating that the township has the authority to issue citations to violators.

“Our recycling center is not open yet, but it is nearing completion so once we get to the point where it is completed, the facility here will be locked up and the recycling center is going to be on the outside of the facility and it will be mounted with cameras. We also have permission from the state police that if we get someone that is dumping refuse, building materials or something that is not part of the recycling we can take the license numbers and they will run them for us.”