Mercer recycling program is hit by budget cutbacks

By Mary Grzebieniak | March 13, 2008 at 12:00a.m.

Recycling is now contracted to a private hauler.

MERCER, Pa. — Budget cutting has reduced the cost of the county recycling program.

Mercer County Commissioner Kenneth Amman said Wednesday the $60,000 the county budgeted for recycling this year has now been cut to $53,000, and that sum may be reduced another $15,000 after further cuts.

The program is in the process of being transferred to the Mercer County Regional Planning Commission from the former Solid Waste Authority, which was disbanded after hauling of recyclables was contracted to a private hauler. The change was because of a state court ruling that fees charged to haulers could no longer be used to run county recycling programs, in effect eliminating much of the program’s funding.

Amman said the savings came from several sources. One grant was higher than expected, and meetings, training and a solicitor post were cut. He said he expects more cuts to be made.

Amman also recommended a sixth county recycling site be established at Pymatuning Township Municipal Building to help deal with the overflowing bins at Hempfield Township’s site. Bins for a sixth site have been delivered and just need to be installed.

Commissioners said the decision to place them at Pymatuning is not final. South Pymatuning Township also has requested a recycling depot.

A search is under way for a new recycling coordinator to run the program for the planning commission. Michelle Nestor, who is on contract through part of 2009, will move to another position for the Council of Governments. Commissioners said Dan Gracenin, planning commission executive director, has received several applications for the post and is setting up interviews.