Council meeting turns tense over recycling bins
Tempers flared at Feb. 3’s Birdsboro Borough Council meeting over a misunderstanding about new recycling bins.
At the Jan. 6 meeting, council voted 4-1 to move ahead with a proposal by former councilman Steven Lusky to procure the bins at a discount from M.B. Investments of Eagleville, Montgomery County. M.B.I. is an arm of J.P. Mascaro & Sons of Reading, a major wasteremoval and recycler in Berks County.
But on Monday, council rescinded its motion to move ahead with the bins and put the issue on hold, partly due to the bins’ color.
At times in the past, the relationship between council and Lusky has been contentious. It became so again on Monday night, when, during public comment, Lusky asked when and why the decision was made to put a hold on the bins.
Council members Robert Myers and Mary Ann Cotter asked Lusky who gave him the authority to order the bins. Lusky said Borough Manager Kelly E. Yanos gave him the go-ahead on Jan. 6, and that he ordered the bins the next day, but was told two days later about the hold.
Yanos affirmed Monday, through a nod, that she had given Lusky the OK.
Since being notified of the hold, Lusky has filed a Rightto-Know request for an email chain detailing council’s concerns about the bins.
The issue angered Borough
Mayor Joseph Peterson.
“This is ridiculous,” Peterson shouted.
“I agree with you,” Myers replied.
“On both sides!” Peterson responded.
Council President Neil McCauley banged the gravel and indicated the mayor would be removed should the loud exchange continue.
“I’ll get out of your hair,” Peterson said as he gathered his things and left the meeting.
Before council retired to executive session over personnel, potential litigation, and the Right-to-Know request, it agreed Myers should read the requested emails in public. He did so. The emails detailed exchanges over the color of the bins, indicating council’s preference for a solid blue color over a two-tone.
The borough has been approved for a $323,000 state recycling grant with a 10% match from the borough. The grant will be used for a composting center with a fence and access, new leafcollection equipment, and recycling bins for residents.
Spaces at VFW
In other business, council approved moving forward with the construction of a 5,000-square-foot parking lot for the VFW, providing 23 spaces to be paid for by M.B.I., which has built a car museum next to the club.
Also, Peterson and council recognized Police Chief Todd E. Trupp for his handling in a Jan. 23 activeshooter incident that resulted in no casualties.