Recycling crisis prompts urgent education campaign in Scranton

In a recent government meeting, officials discussed several key community issues, including the construction of a new fire station, refuse truck leasing, and recycling challenges.

The proposal for a modern fire station to serve the East Mountain community was highlighted, with plans to amend the language of the proposal to better fit local needs. The location for the new station is expected to be near the current site, ensuring continued service for residents.

Concerns were raised regarding a specific property at 519 Dickens Street, where residents reported issues with a basin. Officials confirmed that follow-up actions were taken, including a site visit and painting of the area, and promised to provide a timeline for further developments.

The meeting also addressed the leasing of refuse trucks. Officials clarified that the city had leased two trucks from 2021 to 2022, and confirmed that no current leases were active as of May 2023. Additionally, the Scranton School District has named the city as additionally insured for a refuse truck borrowed for a 30-day period, with the contract running through September 30, 2023, and an option for a six-month extension.

Recycling issues were a significant topic, with officials reporting a meeting with representatives from the Lackawanna County Recycling Center. The center has raised its disposal fee for contaminated recycling materials to $120 per ton, a situation exacerbated by ongoing contamination from various municipalities, including Scranton. In response, the city plans to enhance educational efforts to reduce contamination rates in recycling.

Lastly, concerns were raised about a condemned property at 231-233 Harrison Avenue. Code enforcement has been involved, and an inspector will revisit the site to assess the situation further.

These discussions reflect ongoing efforts by city officials to address community needs and improve local services.