State College Borough E-Newsletter 

Mid-April 2009

13^th Annual Watershed Cleanup Day

In the last 12 years, Watershed Cleanup Day volunteers have removed more than 1,800 tons of waste from local streams, roadways, sinkholes, and illegal dumpsites.  Through a partnership with Centre County Solid Waste Authority and the generosity of local contractors, heavy equipment operators, businesses and volunteers, Watershed Cleanup Day continues to grow every year.  Please consider helping on Saturday, April 25, 2009, 8 am - Noon.

For additional information about the event, call the Conservancy at 237-0400.

Household Hazardous Waste Collection Event

Here's your chance to rid your home of old or unwanted hazardous chemicals and be sure they are properly disposed of.

Bring your insecticides, weed killers, pool chemicals, cleaners, poisons, corrosives, flammables, oil-based paints and many other household hazardous chemicals to the Centre County Solid Waste Authority, 253 Transfer Road, on Friday, May 1^st, (10 am – 6 pm), and on Saturday, May 2^nd, (9 am – 3 pm).

For additional information about the event, call the Centre County Solid Waste Authority at 238-7005 or visit our website at www.centrecountyrecycles.com.

Green Waste/Yard Waste/Organic Waste Collection

The Public Works Department will now be collecting organic waste such as hedge clippings, weeds, vines, garden or flower bed waste separate from your normal trash. Organic collection will follow the same day your trash is collected from April 6 – May 29, 2009 in the spring and will be collected with a different vehicle.

Organic waste should be placed within 5’ of curb edge. We ask that you not bag your material (paper bio-degradable bags are acceptable), and that material be free from rocks, bricks, sod or other materials that can cause damage to collection or composting equipment.

Due to the large volume, crews are running behind by approximately one day. However, all organics will be collected by the end of the week.

Grass clippings are not to be placed with organics as these are used for a different application for the composting process. Grass clippings can continue to be placed at any of the five Borough park “grass drop off locations”.

Brush and Leaf collection will remain as in the past. Residents will still need to call in to schedule a collection time for brush.

Organic waste collection will also be offered in the fall and will follow the fall leaf collection schedule and be collected weekly throughout the Borough during these scheduled collection times. 

State College Public Works making a “greener future” for our children.

Gardens in the Grassplot?

We have seen an increase in the number of "gardens" in the grassplot.  This area is between the street and the sidewalk in front of your property and the Borough has rules as to what can be planted.  By ordinance the only vegetation that can be planted is grass unless you receive appropriate approvals.  If you are already planting a garden in the grassplot or are thinking about it, please contact the Borough Engineer, Amy Story       

at 278-4717 or the Borough Arborist, Alan Sam at 234-7145.  Otherwise, you may get a notice to remove the plantings.

Project Traffic Alert - South Allen Street Water Line Installation

The Water Authority has scheduled the installation of a water line on South Allen Street beginning at Foster Avenue and ending at Irvin Avenue.  The work is scheduled to begin April 13 and continue intermittently until July 15.  Lane restrictions and traffic delays will be in force on South Allen Street during this period.  Motorists may prefer to take an alternative route to avoid delays.  Your cooperation will insure the safety of our workers, other motorists and pedestrians.  For additional information please contact the Water Authority at 238-6766.

State College Named Tree City USA by the Arbor Day Foundation

State College, PA has been named a Tree City USA community by the Arbor Day Foundation to honor its commitment to community forestry.  It is the twenty-fifth year State College has received this national recognition.  The Tree City USA program is sponsored by the Arbor Day Foundation in cooperation with the National Association of State Foresters and USDA Forest Service.

State College has met four standards to become a Tree City USA community:  having a tree board or department, a tree care ordinance, a comprehensive community forestry program, and an Arbor observance and proclamation.

Communities that receive Tree City USA recognition not only have taken the time to meet these four standards, they recognized that:

w        Trees promote healthier communities.  Leaves filter the air we breathe by removing dust and other particles.

w        Trees moderate climate, conserve water and provide habitat for wildlife.

w        Trees in urban areas reduce the heat island effect caused by pavement and buildings.

w        Properly placed trees can increase property values, and buildings in wooded areas rent more quickly and tenants stay longer.

“A community, its elected officials and its citizens that provide needed care for its tree deserves recognition and thanks,” said John Rosenow, chief executive of the Arbor Day Foundation.  “Trees are a vital component of the infrastructure in our cities and towns, and they also provide environmental and economical benefits.  Cities that are recognized with a Tree City USA designation go to great lengths to plant and care for the community forest.”

More information about Tree City USA can be found at www.arborday.org/TreeCityUSA.

This year’s Arbor Day celebration will be held at the State College Friends School, 1900 University Drive, on Wednesday, April 22^nd beginning at 9:00am.   Tim Cole with the Bureau of Forestry will present the Tree City, USA award to Borough Council President, Elizabeth Goreham.  Borough Arborist, Alan Sam will offer the Arbor Day address.

For information about the Arbor Day program, please call 814-234-7145.

On Wednesday, April 15, 2009, the spotlight was on State College at the Governor’s Local Government Day Awards Program.  The event was held at the Farm Show Complex in Harrisburg and sponsored by the Governor’s Center for Local Government Services.  Two State College employees were honored with two Individual Achievement awards.  CATA also received an Innovative Community and Governmental Initiatives award.

State College Borough’s Assistant Manager for Community Services, Tom Kurtz, received a 2009 Governor’s Award for Local Government Excellence for his individual achievements in local government management.  Mr. Kurtz is widely respected for his contributions to intergovernmental cooperation over his 35 year career in local government.  He authored the book entitled “Intergovernmental Cooperation Handbook”, published by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania that is used by communities across the state as a guide to regional cooperation and governance.

 State College Borough Planning Director, Carl Hess, received an individual achievement award for his dedicated service in planning and community development.  Mr. Hess was nominated for the award by his professional peers in honor and recognition of his contributions to local government planning during his career.  Mr. Hess has served State College locally for 29 years and is also the immediate past president of the Pennsylvania Chapter of the American Planning Association.   Pictured at left are Tom Kurz and Carl Hess.

The Centre Area Transportation Authority (CATA) also received an Innovative Community/Governmental Initiatives Award in recognition of the accomplishments of the CENTRE COMMUTE program.

Congratulations to all of the award recipients on their achievements across Pennsylvania!  And, a particular thank you to our local recipients for their service and dedication to State College area.