Clean-Up Day Report, Solar Panels, and Community Garden

Environmental Advisory Council members were pleased with the annual April 16 Upper Saucon Clean-Up. Council member Peter Steffeld said the event “wasn’t as heavily attended as in the past, but considering it was only 38 degrees when we started and looking like rain, it was fine.”

According to Thomas Gettings, EAC chairman, so many residents had appliances to get rid of; there was a long line of cars and trucks waiting to unload.  The tractor trailer brought in for the event was half-full by 10:30 a.m.  The committee is looking at adding an additional clean-up day this fall.

A major concern is the accumulation of tires from the past few years of clean-up days. EAC members suggested several means of disposal for the tires.  Township manager Tom Beil said he will evaluate the information received to determine the best way to get rid of them.

In addition to a report on clean-up day, the council discussed:

•  Beil suggested several environmentally-minded projects the EAC could sponsor.  One suggestion is to install solar panels on township structures.  Gettings responded by saying he will collect information as to whether this is possible and viable to have solar panels.  There may be funding available from the state for this type of project, Beil added.

• The township may do an energy audit of all township facilities to see where electricity could be saved.  Beil noted that Lower Macungie Township changed all their light bulbs to compact fluorescent light (CFL) bulbs with a grant from the state and has saved twenty-five percent on their electric bill.  Steffeld volunteered to get information together concerning this program.

• Land is available, Beil said, for the use of a community garden program in the township.  It could be used for residents who would like to plant a garden but don’t have the available space on their property. There are a few issues which must be looked into before beginning a program of this nature, such as lot size, water source, rules and regulations.

• Beil also announced at the meeting that Upper Saucon Township is the first municipality to open its portion of the Saucon Rail Trail.  It is a two-mile section extending from the Community Park on Preston Lane to the border with Lower Saucon Township.  The official ribbon cutting ceremony will be held at 10 a.m. on June 11.