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Township of Lower Merion: Department of Public Works
Township of Lower Merion: Department of Public Works
MEMORANDUM
At the Finance Committee meeting on September 9th, staff presented three Solid Waste
Fee (SWF) rate structure options, which met the Board’s goal for setting the 2010 SWF’s
at full-cost recovery, including a new Rear Yard Collection Fee (RYCF) and the
elimination of the projected $1.7 million General Fund Subsidy to the Solid Waste Fund.
After discussing the SWF options, the Finance Committee voted in favor of advertising
an Ordinance amendment, which would include the SWF rate structure outlined in
“Option 2”. However, staff is continuing to explore additional SWF rate structures and
will provide an update at the Board of Commissioners meeting on September 23rd.
Working closely with Gilbert High, Township Solicitor, staff has developed a SWF
structure (based on SWF Option 2) for consideration by the Board that sets a one
container base fee of $271 per residence to provide for Township refuse collection
services with an incremental charge of $33 per container (for each additional container
above the base subscription). In addition, the recommendation includes a new 20 gallon
capacity container (Mini Can) priced at $179, as well as the creation of a new RYCF of
$200.
As discussed at the Finance Committee meeting, staff has reviewed the Township
demographics and carefully considered the recommended container size to be utilized in
the new SWF rate structure. The Public Works Refuse Division sampled various trash
collection routes in the Township and determined that there is no standard size refuse
container in use at this time. The range is anywhere between 30 gallons (current limit in
Township Code) to 45 gallons. Taking this information into consideration and the major
changes anticipated for the customers, it is recommended that a 45-gallon container be
utilized as a maximum limit for a one container definition. That is, one container can
range from 21 to 45 gallons. The Mini Can would remain at 20 gallons since this is a
new option and not previously offered.
In addition to instituting the proposed SWF structure and RYCF, it has been determined
there is a need for minor updates to the Township Code Chapter 82 (Garbage and Refuse)
that governs the collection of refuse in the Township. These proposed changes are
included in the attached amended ordinance as prepared by the Township Solicitor and
outlined below:
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Proposed 2010 Solid Waste Fee Schedule (Option 2)
Language was added to Section 1, B-1 (a) to read “except those located above the
commercial establishments”. This language is needed to address apartments that
are located above commercial establishments, which are considered commercial
properties. The Township does not collect refuse or recycling from commercial
properties.
Language was added to Section 2, D-7, to better define operational issues when
dealing with rear-yard collections that are more than 100’ from the street. The
language allows for the vehicle to gain access to the area where the containers are
placed by driving down the driveway.
Section 3F removes the holidays of Good Friday and Flag Day from the list of
holidays when municipal collection had been suspended. Through labor
negotiations and new labor agreements, these days are no longer holidays for
refuse collection.
Language was added to Section 4, G-2 to better define the rear-yard collection
point.
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Language was added to Section 5, H to define the containers as recommended by
staff and includes a single Mini Can container of up to 20 gallon capacity and a
weight limit of 25 pounds, and the one or more containers having a maximum 45
gallon capacity with a weight of less than 50 pounds. The third definition is if
there is a container having a capacity of more than 45 gallons, each increment of
45 gallons counts as one additional container. The waste must be placed in those
large containers (over 45 gallons) in separate, sealed plastic bags weighing no
more than 50 pounds each. This is to allow for the collection of the proper
subscription level without exceeding the weight limits for the individuals
collecting the trash.
Section 6, I removes the requirement that no more than five containers will be
collected at any one dwelling unit and places no limits on the number of
containers that can be subscribed to except for those dwelling units or property
owners subscribing to the Mini Can. If the Mini Can subscription is chosen, the
dwelling unit will not be permitted to purchase additional can subscriptions.
Section 7, J removes the fees charged for bulk item pick ups and/or non-
processible waste from Ordinance 82 and places them in Chapter A-167 where
Township fees are generally expressed.
Section 8, K-1 further clarifies that the fees being imposed for the collection and
disposal of municipal waste from residential dwelling units must be at curbside
and allows the household to subscribe to any number of containers as set forth in
the solid waste fees in Chapter A-167.
Section 9, K-9 sets forth the parameters for the Senior Citizens Rebate program.
Section 10 sets forth the solid waste fees associated for each subscription level
from the mini can through the rear-yard collection fee.
We will be available to explain and/or discuss these proposed amendments at the Board
of Commissioners meeting scheduled for Wednesday, September 23rd.
NO. ___________
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AN ORDINANCE To Amend The Code Of The Township Of Lower Merion,
Chapters 82 And A167 To Provide That All Municipal Waste Containers
Placed For Collection By The Township Must Be Placed At Curbside Or
Within 5 Feet Of The Edge Of The Cartway Unless The Resident Has
Contracted With The Township For Rear Yard Collection; Providing That The
Township Will Not Collect Municipal Waste From Dwelling Units Located
Over Commercial Establishments; Requiring That An Open Route For
Collection Vehicles Be Provided Where Waste Containers Are Located More
Than 100 Feet From The Street; Removing The Suspension Of Municipal
Waste Collection On Good Friday And Flag Day; Establishing A New Rate
Schedule For The Collection Of Municipal Waste Plus An Annual Fee For
Rear Yard Collection, Except For Certain Disabled Persons; Removing The
Limitation On The Number Of Municipal Waste Containers Which Can Be
Collected From A Dwelling Unit; Establishing Size And Weight Limits For
Municipal Waste Containers; And Increasing The Solid Waste Rebate For
Qualified Senior Citizens From 15% To 20% .
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B. Eligibility.
(a) The township shall provide for the collection and disposal of
municipal waste generated from all single-family dwellings, all
two-family dwellings and all apartments containing four or fewer
dwelling units except those located above commercial
establishments.
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§ 82-13.1. Municipal waste collection and disposal services.
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D. General regulations.
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collection. The point of collection must be adjacent to a
street, alleyway or other cartway kept free of snow or other
obstruction and both constructed and maintained to a
standard that will allow ready access by a full size
Township refuse truck.
(2) If the resident has contracted with the Township for rear
yard collection, or is otherwise entitled to rear yard
collection, the municipal waste container must be centrally
placed outside of a building on the ground in a readily
accessible area. Municipal waste, other than leaf waste,
may be placed near the side or rear house line on the
driveway side of the house, if space and accessibility
permit.
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H. Containers
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Section 6. The Code of the Township of Lower Merion, Chapter 82 thereof,
entitled Garbage and Refuse, § 82-13.1 Municipal waste collection and disposal services,
subsection I, Quantity limits, shall be amended to provide as follows:
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I. Quantity limits.
. There shall be no limit on the number of containers of non-
recyclable or recyclable municipal waste which will be collected
on any one collection day from each dwelling unit. However, only
one subscription at the rate for a 20 gallon or less container may be
sold to a single dwelling unit.
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rates and fees for rear yard collection, if established, are set
forth in Chapter A167..
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Section 10. The Code of the Township of Lower Merion, Chapter A167, Fees,
the fees pertaining to Chapter 82, Garbage and Refuse, shall be amended by adding
thereto an additional fee for rear yard municipal waste collection services, to provide as
follows:
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Section 12. The provisions of this Ordinance are severable, and if any section,
sentence, clause, part, or provision thereof shall be held illegal, invalid, or
unconstitutional by any Court of competent jurisdiction, such decision of this court shall
not affect or impair the remaining sections, sentences, clauses, parts or provisions of this
ordinance. It is hereby declared to be the intent of the Board that this ordinance would
have been adopted if such illegal, invalid, or unconstitutional section, sentence, clause,
part, or provision had not been included herein.
Section 13. This Ordinance shall take affect and be in force from and after its
approval as required by law.
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
OF THE
TOWNSHIP OF LOWER MERION
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______________________________
Bruce D. Reed, President
ATTEST:
___________________________________
Eileen R. Trainer, Secretary
lm\ord\Chapter 82\Rear Yard Collection
9.15.09
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