Several township residents advised the Township Supervisors about the poor job GFL is doing in garbage collection. Some residents along North Creek Drive indicated that often trash is not picked up the day it should be, and is missed altogether.

They said phone calls to GFL bring promises to pick up the missed trash, but they don’t show up. One resident said GFL offered to give her a refund; however, as she pointed out, she pays the township, not GFL directly.

County Waste was the township’s garbage hauler, but was bought out by GFL in 2021. It was reported at that time that GFL was not picking up trash and missed many homes. Residents at the July meeting indicated it has not improved.

“We have a contract with them,” township secretary Jennifer Ketchledge advised, “so, unfortunately, we can’t do anything until we have a list of complaints, which I am keeping. Every time someone calls, I mark it in the computer, and I put down the address and the reason for the call. We need to have proof of everything in order to get out of a contract. I believe our contract with them is for five years, which started in 2021 when they took over.”

Some residents said they had been reluctant to call, but Ketchledge assured them to please call.

“When someone calls, I text them immediately, and they do get someone out right away. And once we have that list ready, we can move forward and we can penalize them.”

“When it was with previous hauler, you might have had sporadic issues; but, this one (GFL) is consistently bad,” Supervisor Connie Brown added.

Ketchledge also added that some of the issues are that residents are not placing their trash cans correctly for them to pick it up.

“They aren’t placing their trash cans right; they’re placing them backward, so they truck’s machinery can’t pick them up. If your trash can is not 4 feet away from everything, they can’t pick it up. No lawn trimmings except for one bag because that will get caught in the truck’s machinery and cause a fire. These are little things; but, apparently they never told you (the residents) about them.”

Road employees

Lower Towamensing Township Supervisors are looking to hire additional road crew personnel. Candidates would need a CDL license and will be responsible to help on road projects around the township.

The township’s new roadmaster, Robin Cressley, took over the position as of July 5 and is looking for help. Cressley and the township supervisors will work out hours and pay rates.

In the meantime, anyone interested should contact the township office by July 22. Call 610-826-2522 or email LowerTow@ptd.net.