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State College Borough E-Newsletter
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May 2009
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2010-2014 CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM
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 Council has begun their review of the 2010-2014 Capital Improvement Program. This five-year program is a compilation of projects that meet the threshold of cost and scope established for the Borough's capital budget. Generally, the CIP includes only those items having a value of $10,000 or higher and an estimated life of six years or longer. Eligible items include:
· Acquisition of property
· Purchase of new equipment (not covered by depreciation previously set aside and funded by the Asset Replacement Fund)
· Major rehabilitation or replacement of existing facilities or new construction
· Consulting fees for special one-time projects with a cost in excess of $10,000
Council will be reviewing the Program over the next few weeks with approval scheduled for June 8, 2009. To view the proposed Program in its entirety, click on the link above or go to http://www.statecollegepa.us/index.aspx?NID=1116.
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DEP REMINDS POOL OWNERS TO HANDLE WASTE WATER SAFELY
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Clean Streams Law Prohibits
Discharging Chlorinated Water
to Storm Sewers
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Private and public pool owners, as well as pool management companies, should remember that pool and chlorinated wastewater must be handled responsibly, Environmental Protection Regional Director Michael D. Bedrin said.
"With warmer weather just around the corner, many Pennsylvania residents and municipalities are getting their pools ready for the summer," said Bedrin. "But almost every spring, as swimming pools are cleaned and prepared for summer use, we see fish kills in local streams that easily could have been prevented. Pool owners and professional pool cleaners need to dispose of old water correctly and to neutralize wastewater that contain harmful chemicals, such as chlorine. Most of all, they need to make sure the wastewater is going into the sanitary sewer, where allowed?not the storm sewer."
When chlorinated water is drained from a swimming pool into a storm sewer, it quickly makes its way to a stream or other body of water, where aquatic life is damaged or killed. Discharging swimming pool water to the commonwealth's waters without a permit violates the Clean Streams Law. Property owners and pool companies that violate this law may be prosecuted and penalized for damages.
If the local municipality grants permission, all wastewater--including pool backwash water, neutralized pool cleaning wastewater, and standing water--should be discharged to the local sanitary sewer system. If sanitary sewers cannot be accessed, the wastewater should be hauled off-site for disposal at an approved treatment facility.
In cases where sanitary sewers cannot be accessed and wastewater cannot be hauled away, the department offers detailed guidance for the on-site treatment and disposal of water containing chlorine or chemicals used to clean pools.
Questions regarding the handling of pool wastewater may be directed to the Water Management Program in DEP's northeast regional office at (570) 826-2511. For more information on how chemicals in storm water can impact our streams and lakes, visit www.depweb.state.pa.us, keyword: Storm water.
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Green Waste/Yard Waste/Organic Waste Collection
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The Public Works Department is 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 through May 29, 2009 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 may run 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.
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Project Traffic Alert - South Allen Street Water Line Installation
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 The Water Authority continues the installation of a water line on South Allen Street beginning at Foster Avenue and ending at Irvin Avenue. The work will 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.
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Household Hazardous Waste Collection
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Folks from over 700 households took advantage of Centre County's Household Hazardous Waste Collection Program this past weekend at the Centre County Solid Waste Authority.
A little over 12 tons of material was collected during the 2-day event. In all, 670 vehicles brought hazardous chemicals from 706 households. Residents from 31 of the county's 35 municipalities participated.
The event was co-hosted by Centre County Solid Waste Authority, Centre County Local Emergency Planning Committee, Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture (PDA) and the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP).
"Centre County residents showed up in force and really showed their environmental caring." said Joanne Shafer, Centre County's Deputy Executive Director/Recycling Coordinator. "What a wonderful way to connect people and the environment on this weekend after Earth
 Day." Shafer added, "Even though we had more cars and more households represented, the tons of material collected was less than in 2008. People are really getting the reduce, reuse, recycle message."
Collection and disposal costs of all 12.04 tons will be split between the Household Hazardous Waste Fund and DEP.
If you missed this collection, look for information next spring. The Centre County Solid Waste Authority will be holding another Household Hazardous Waste Collection Event in 2010.
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H1N1 Flu (Swine Flu)
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Swine flu is a contagious respiratory disease usually limited to pigs or those in close proximity to live pigs. The disease is now being spread from person to person and has caused the United States to declare a health emergency.
For more information, the State College Department of Ordinance Enforcement and Public Health (DOEPH) suggest you visit the Mount Nittany Medical Center's website at http://www.mountnittany.org/wellness-library and view the latest information available. You can also visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website at http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/.
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2009 ABC Awards
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 The State College Borough Council held their 2009 Annual ABC Dinner on Wednesday, April 22, 2009, to honor residents who serve on the Borough's Authorities, Boards and Commissions (ABC). Certificates of Appreciation were presented to 20 individuals who have completed their term of service on an ABC in 2008. Special recognition awards were as follows:
· James McClure received the individual Legacy Award.
· John Spearly, Board President of Centre LifeLink EMS, received the institutional Legacy Award.
· Ralph Pileggi received the Ingrid P. Holtzman Award.
· Gary Schultz, Senior Vice President for Finance & Business at Penn State, received the Arnold Addison Award.
· Rosalie Bloom-Brooks received the XYZ Award.
Click here http://www.statecollegepa.us/DocumentView.aspx?DID=1667&DL=1 for more details and award winners.
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