Several residents spoke up during the Ross Township meeting this week regarding the lack of garbage pickup for the past few weeks. Some have Waste Management, while others have County Waste.

Residents have contacted both companies, who said employees have been out with COVID-19, others have left the company and recent ice and snow have made the roads dangerous for their trucks.

This is especially the case in the township’s handful of private developments such as Vista Estates, where the roads are mostly unpaved dirt roads. These roads are not maintained by the township, but rather the responsibility of the residents’ associations.

A Vista Estates resident asked if the township could send over a salt truck so residents can leave their homes safely and garbage trucks could come in for the growing piles of trash.

He is OK plowing with his skid steer each time it snows, but due to his age and health issues, he cannot do all the salting when ice occurs. Plus, it gets expensive buying the anti-skid.

“The township cannot send in a salt truck or snowplow due to the legal ramifications,” said Shay. “What if a township truck gets stuck in there, or our road crew misses a patch of ice and someone wrecks. Who is liable?”

Supervisors discussed having a pile of salt and 5-gallon buckets available for residents on a first-come, first-served basis. Road Foreman Ethan Brewer asked where to put the salt pile - in front of the gate so it was accessible at all hours of the day, or behind the gate so it is off limits when he and road crew go home for the day.

The developer of Vista Estates, who also had a few other developments, went bankrupt and later died. Residents have been pooling their money together for years to keep up with the maintenance and snow removal. These roads also have drainage issues, which make runoff and potholes more prevalent.

“I agree, we need to do something,” said Chairman James Zahoroiko. “Let’s not make excuses. We need to figure out how to help residents on these roads.”

There are cases where townships take over the private roads and are then responsible for bringing them up to standards. It is a huge financial undertaking, Shay said.

Township solicitor Tim McManus said he knows several municipalities are no longer taking on new roads because of costs and liabilities.

Resident Martha Rizzoli spoke up to mention that even parts of Meixsell Valley Road, which is maintained by the township, has been affected by a lack of garbage pickup lately.

Ross Township does not have a dump or recycling center, unlike neighboring townships such as Chestnuthill and Polk. Ross residents cannot simply drive their garbage over to the township to dispose of it when pickup does not occur.

One nearby option is in Pen Argyl, where there is a fee to drop off a pickup load of garbage.

On a related note, Ross Township will hold its annual spring cleanup on April 22 and 23. Residents can bring trash, appliances and tires to dispose in the rented dumpsters on site. The fee schedule will be posted on the township website and the fees will remain the same as in 2021.

A resident of Collins Avenue, and mother of four, asked the supervisors what can be done about the ongoing issues on her neighbor’s property. She spoke of wood cutting and partying occurring at all hours of the night and keeping her family awake. There is no active septic. There are two campers parked there and vehicles are always blocking the road. She saw oil on the road that did not come from her family’s cars.

“Call DEP and tell them about the oil slick,” said Shay. “It’s a private road. The township is limited in what we can do.”

She has called state police to report the incidents, and likelihood of drugs on that property.

She has spoken with Ross Township Zoning Administrator Jeff Snyder.

“We have three violations and are in the civil complaint phase. The property is condemnable under the PA Uniform Construction Code due to no proper sewage,” said Snyder.

Shay said Snyder and the Sewage Enforcement Officer should contact the police to escort them to the property.

Once both have visited the property and filed their complaints, the township can move forward.