Borough Resident Unhappy With Phonebook Distribution

Big, heavy phonebooks left in driveways and thrown onto porches might one day be a thing of the past, but for now, they're simply a nuisance for many people who would rather not receive them.

One of those people--Hellertown resident Bob Linney--told Borough Council Feb. 6 that the phonebooks, in addition to being unsightly and unwanted, can also represent a hazard if they are covered with snow.

He said borough councilman Richard Staffieri learned that a year ago, when one of the books became lodged in his snowblower.

Staffieri acknowledged that the incident did occur, and told council that it took him 45 minutes to remove the phonebook from the machine.

Linney, of Apple Street, also noted that the books can become an indicator that a property is vacant, because they may sit outside for six months or longer if no one is tending to a home.

"My main issue is this is trash," he said, as he held up a phonebook he recently received. "This is litter."

Linney also held up part of a Pennsylvania Vehicle Registration renewal form, which includes a section entitled "Pennsylvania's Littering Laws."

In that section, it states: "Section 3709 of the Pennsylvania Vehicle Code provides for a fine of up to $300 for dropping, throwing or depositing, upon any highway, or upon any other public or private property without the consent of the owner thereof or into or on the waters of this Commonwealth from a vehicle, any waste paper, sweepings, ashes, household waste, glass, metal, refuse or rubbish or any dangerous or detrimental substance, or permitting any of the preceding without immediately removing such items or causing their removal."

Linney cited that section in arguing that the companies responsible for having the phonebooks dropped off are breaking the law.

"I've got to say that this is waste paper," he said. "I don't want it. I didn't ask for it."

Borough council solicitor Michael Corriere appeared less certain, however, of the legalities related to the issue.

He told council that he didn't think the phonebooks would qualify as litter.

Police chief Robert Shupp also weighed in on the subject, and said he feared what might happen if a borough-wide ban on dropping off phonebooks and other free sources of information took effect.

Many elderly borough residents don't have access to the Internet at home, he said, and "they may wait for this every year," referring to the phonebook.

Shupp also said he doubted whether a ban on phonebooks and other informational literature would pass legal muster.

As long as the literature serves a purpose, he said, "we (have) found that we could not restrict someone from putting informational things (in front of homes)."

Council did not reach any decisions about the matter at its meeting, but Linney asked them to consider regulating the drop-off of the materials in the future.

"I would like to see some action on this," he said.