Rush Township is applying for approximately $800,000 in recycling grants from the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection.

“It covers all types of equipment and everything else under recycling,” board vice Chairman Robert Leibensperger explained of the 902 Recycling grant the township is eyeing. “DEP has been working with us on the next level to move forward with recycling.”

Rush Township offers weekly trash collection and recycling to all households but residents aren’t required to recycle.

“They’re (DEP) happy about it because we are not an Act 101-required community but we are working hard at cutting our landfill waste,” Leibensperger said during Thursday’s supervisors’ meeting.

Under Act 101, municipalities with populations over 10,000 and those with populations between 5,000 and 10,000 that have population densities greater than 300 persons per square mile are required to recycle.

“If we can get more people in our township to recycle, it would be even better,” Leibensperger said.

In an unrelated matter, residents of Lake Hauto can expect letters with their next round of sewer bills notifying them that their properties could be inspected for illegal or sump pump connections. Leibensperger explained that there’s been an increase in the amount of sewage flowing into the Nesquehoning treatment plant.

During the meeting, supervisors also:

• Approved the purchase of 12 grinder pumps for $28,435 from Site Specific.

• Approved a resolution to document supervisors’ control over Ryan Memorial Park in Hometown. Old property records give oversight to the defunct Rush Township Recreation Commission. The change is needed so the township can apply for a grant from the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources.

• Noted that Trick or Treat night will be held from 5–8 p.m. Oct. 29 in the township.

• Changed the Nov. 17 board meeting to Nov. 21 at 7 p.m.