Schuylkill Township has a new secretary, and a new garbage bill collection service.

Monday night, the township supervisors voted to hire Ann Miller as township secretary. Miller will work 20 to 24 hours per week, and will replace Denise Hill, who has been out since the spring because of illness which prevented her from returning.

Hill was actually secretary-treasurer. Supervisor Gary Feathers explained the supervisors split the job, and hired Dana Brubaker to be the treasurer. This is also a part-time position.

The township operated without a secretary for about six months, which placed a burden on the supervisors to conduct the day-to-day township business that Hill did.

If a township resident gets a garbage bill from a company named PA Municipal Services, they should pay it - because it is legitimate.

Feathers said PA Municipal Services, Oakmont, Allegheny County, has begun to collect trash bills from township residents. The firm collects the bills for $1.10 per household, while it costs the township $3.50 per household. PA Municipal Services provides various billing and tax collection services for municipalities.

Consideration of the tentative 2024 township budget was on the agenda, but Feathers said instead it will be considered at a special meeting at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 15.

Now that fall is here, summer projects are getting wrapped up, or delayed until spring.

Feathers said the summer road paving project is complete, as well as the project to paint new lines on the roads. The line painting is especially important on Valley Drive, where a new ordinance outlined a new parking plan.

While attention to the basketball court in the village of Tuscarora will have to wait until spring, about a half-dozen rotten, 120-foot-tall trees on Seneca Street were felled. Those trees were threatening homes near them, Feathers said.

An unlivable home was finally vacated. Feathers said after a hearing, Schuylkill County Court ruled in favor of the township to vacate the Swenson property, which Feathers said has been boarded up until the township can find a contractor to clean it up. Feathers said the situation has been going on for years.

Feathers said 10 more Hometown Hero flags have been ordered, but orders are still being taken. Those, who want to order a flag, have to complete an application, submit a picture for the flag and a check to pay for the flag. The applications are available at the township building.