Penn Forest to buy trash compactor

Sealed bids for a new compactor were opened Monday night at the regular meeting of the Penn Forest Township Board of Supervisors. The township already has two compactors operating at its transfer station, but anticipating future growth in the township's population, supervisors have been planning to add a third machine for some time.

In fact, earlier this year when the township paved the ground around the existing compactors and installed the new recycling bins, they arranged for an electrician to wire the facility for a third machine.

At least 10 companies were expected to provide bids for the machine and maintenance contract, but most declined to submit its bids. Only three bids were received because it had no service facilities in the area. Of the remaining three companies, Eagle Equipment company had the lowest bid at $12,784. It's service facility is in Pottstown. The highest bid received came in at $17,000.

Supervisor Chairman Paul Montemuro seemed satisfied with the bids and said that Eagle was the company that had serviced the township's existing compactors under its current contract with Waste Management and the company has done a good job.

The board moved to accept the bid from Eagle Equipment.

In other township news, the U.S. Census Bureau is descending on the township and requesting office space to perform its work. Supervisors voted to make the government's workers comfortable while in the township, despite the fact that they may have to shuffle folks around as they have already promised office space to the AARP to help senior citizens with their tax returns.

The Census Bureau is also asking the township to provide detailed information on the number of residents here, with a preliminary report due in 45 days. Township secretary Tammy Parent will work with zoning officer Joe Steber to collect the data, but the government says it won't actually count the residents the township says are living in new dwellings until the new homeowners respond to a government request for information or until a government worker visits the property.

Montemuro says that government funds made available to the township are often based on the number of residents, making the Census Bureau's work very important.

The U.S. Census Bureau is currently seeking part time employees in the township. Interested persons can dial 800-861-2010.

Penn Forest supervisors will hold their end of year meeting on December 28 at 7 p.m.