Garbage bills coming soon to Forward Township

The township’s long agreement with Kelly Run Sanitation is about to end.

For the first time in nearly 30 years, Forward Township residents could soon start paying for their garbage service.

In 1996, the township signed a host municipality fee agreement with Kelly Run Sanitation, which stipulated that the landfill would provide free garbage service for residential properties through the term of the agreement.

Though there was no end date in the contract, it was understood that all its stipulations, including free refuse service, would eventually come to an end when the landfill reached capacity.

That time has finally come, and supervisors in Forward Township will have to decide who will handle refuse service for residents.

There are approximately 1,390 homes in Forward Township that will be affected.

The Kelly Run Landfill, operated by Waste Management, primarily serves as a disposal site for nonhazardous solid waste, including municipal solid waste, construction and demolition debris and certain industrial wastes.

It comprises 260 acres situated in a large gully that has been partially strip mined along much of the landfill. It is surrounded by forested areas and pasture lands to the immediate north and south, with residential and commercial property to the east and west.

Since 1968, it has operated a solid waste landfill, but from 1975-84 hazardous wastes were co-disposed with the solid wastes in the 35-acre Western Disposal Area.

The Western Disposal Area and the 17-acre Old Waste Area have been capped and closed under state Department of Environmental Protection oversight, and it no longer accepts hazardous waste.

Supervisors have anticipated the landfill would be nearing its capacity. They placed an ad June 9 in the Mon Valley Independent seeking bids for refuse service.

The township is looking for a refuse provider that will be able to collect, remove and properly dispose of all garbage, rubbish and other solid waste. The contract will be for three years beginning Sept. 1.

It requires that collection take place on a weekly basis on Wednesdays between the hours of 6 a.m. and 6 p.m.

Bids were due to the township July 1 and will be opened 10 a.m. Monday before a vote is taken to determine who the refuse provider will be at the township’s 7 p.m. meeting.

Lisa Kardell, director of public affairs for Waste Management, confirmed the landfill is closing, but wasn’t able to provide a firm date.

She said the company anticipates that Kelly Run will be closed in late third quarter or early fourth quarter of this year.