Franklin Township has approved several lower-end expenses for its yet to be opened recycling center.

On a unanimous measure, supervisors recently approved up to $1,500 for signs for the recycle drop-off program.

Additionally, the board approved up to $700 for uniform allowance expenses and purchase of shirts for distribution to the public.

Board Chairman Nick Storm said the shirts are for staff and volunteers that will be working at the recycling center.

Storm said there is an opening day launch day for the recycling center, and that there was an idea to have some extra shirts made to hand out to the children and people that are willing to come support the opening of the recycling center.

Resident Ty Poole asked if the township has stuff like that for township workers.

Storm said the township just got them shirts.

Resident Jill Renfrew questioned the expenses that total $2,200 when the township doesn’t even have a recycling program yet.

Storm said there was money left over from the dumpster allowance that the board approved last month.

Poole then asked if the recycling program was all voluntary. “What happens if it don’t work, and it starts costing you money?

Storm said he doesn’t believe there’s going to much of any cost other than up front to buy the dumpsters.

“Hopefully anything we’re pulling out of our tonnage is going to save us money,” Storm said. “And if we can make some on the back end of some of the materials we’re getting recycled.”

In April, supervisors announced that the township plans to open a recycling drop-off center in the near future.

Supervisors on a 2-0 vote at that time approved the purchase of rear loading dumpsters to use for the recycle drop-off program at the maximum total rate of $15,000.

The board also approved a communicated agreement, an informational conversation for all interested residents, a pass system and training materials for Franklin Township residents at a maximum amount of $500, and advertising and opening the landfill/transfer station contract for bid, awarding a two-year contract to Waste Management.

The township will use the Monroe County Transfer Station for the collection of paper and cardboard, and also is coordinating with it regarding the use of a bin for mixed glass, as they indicated they can provide and service the glass bin for a nominal fee.

The township would also transport paper and cardboard to the facility and receive compensation for those materials. There is a communicated agreement stating they will accept the township’s materials and pay the township or charge the township for them.

The township said Louis Cohen and Son Inc. has been identified as a potential partner for aluminum cans.

Following discussions with the Lions Club, the township will determine whether to include aluminum cans as an additional recyclable commodity.

The recycling drop-off center will be located up behind the maintenance building along Fairyland Road, where it will be gated and manned by part-time employees. The center will open July 1, and will be open one day a week, and also on a Saturday.

In December, the township agreed to reinstitute its recycling program, setting a committee to discuss the project.

The program was discontinued in 2020 when the recycling bins were being contaminated with plastic bags and some garbage.