Only nine municipalities from across McKean County responded to a recent survey to determine recycling and waste priorities as part of an ongoing effort to broaden and enlarge  the recycling program in the county.

At last Thursday’s, work session of McKean County commissioners, which had been advertised as an official meeting, Recycling Coordinator Mary Williams told Commissioners that a survey they had requested of the county’s 22 municipalities had resulted in only nine responses. Wiliams noted that the local governments were sent reminders after the surveys went out.

The discussion was the latest in a string of talks about recycling efforts in the county, including cutting back on illegal dumping and establishing and streamlining programs in county-owned buildings and school districts.

The survey was precipitated by the receipt of $3,073 in recycling performance grants for municipalities that didn’t apply in 2005, while the 2006 award may amount to $31,850.  Commissioners were concerned about provisions of Act 140 recycling standards that might apply to the county if municipalities do not comply with Act 140.  That fear was apparently groundless, according to Williams report.

Williams said there were six requests for glass collection from the nine municipalities responding to the survey, with four more requests for electronics collections and other special collections — including household hazardous waste, paint, fluorescent lamp tubes and tires.

Municipal officials requested regularly scheduled pick-ups at the drop-off sites, better signs and other enhancements at  the various locations.

Three requests for tire collections and reduced cost of tire disposal were cited. Others looked for  recycling options for small businesses, for more education,  and help with clean-up of private property ; school recycling options were also mentioned.

Williams said that the Smethport, Port Allegany and Otto-Eldred school districts will implement district-wide recycling programs starting this fall.

Due to the vefforts of the Citizens Recycling and Waste Advisory group in collaboration with Crown-Y of Cuba, N.Y., a total of 3,400 students, teachers, administrators and support staff in the county will begin recycling efforts with a cash back program offered by the company, she stated.

In regards to solid waste, Williams said there were five requests to establish transfer stations — which officials said would mean a savings for haulers, contractors, residents and municipalities.

Other requests centered on eliminating the cost of spring and fall clean-up for residents (which could also serve to reduce illegal dumping), and providing incentives for residents to recycle by encouraging haulers to collect by the bag.

Commissioner Joe DeMott expressed an opinion that the bag system could lead to more illegal dumping.

Foster, Bradford and Lafayette townships all returned the survey — with all three municipalities listing the establishment of a transfer station as a high priority.

Kane and Eldred Township both asked for specific  help with establishing glass collection points.

“We are in dire need of a transfer station,” officials from Foster Township wrote in the survey.

In Bradford Township, officials said a transfer station should be created, but only if it’s cost-effective, meaning the increased cost doesn’t exceed fuel and hauling costs.

A recycling site for electronics was high on the priority list for Lafayette Township.

In addition to the Tuna Valley municipalities, Eldred, Liberty, Keating and Otto townships and Mount Jewett and Kane boroughs responded to the survey’.

Eldred Township officials said they would like to see incentives provided for persons to recycle by encouraging haulers to collect by the bag, rather than a flat fee.

Williams said through eliminating drop-offs in two townships — Hamlin and Corydon — and that of several small businesses because of the small tonnage collected, Rustick LLC has been able to offer Liberty and Foster townships and the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford recycling drop-offs.

The company has also ordered new and larger magnetic signs and all the bins have been painted.

Williams said revised brochures are being made to send as inserts to newspapers in the county and advertising efforts have been stepped up due to the changes in the drop-off program. The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation will also place signs on state highways indicating where the drop-off sites are located.