This week, Penn Township turned away a petition from township residents to provide “community dumpsters” twice a year, which would collect refuse at no cost to the citizens of the township.

The petition was presented by Lorna Gavin at a township board of supervisors meeting Sept. 9. The idea of the community dumpsters was inspired by a community recycling event held in Penn Township each fall by Noble Environmental, which allows residents to recycle certain electronic waste or household items.

“This service is not a municipal responsibility,” wrote Supervisor Samuel Ward in a letter posted publicly to the Penn Township website. “Penn Township has maintained the real estate and fire tax at eight mills since 2010 by avoiding unnecessary costs. It is unfair to effectively charge all township residents for removing the refuse of some residents. Residents and businesses are responsible for their refuse disposal.”

The letter also provides residents with other options for trash disposal or recycling, either in Penn Township or nearby.

During the Sept. 9 board meeting, Supervisor Doug Roth stated yard waste can be taken, at no cost, to the yard behind the Penn Township Volunteer Fire Department, from there the township takes the waste to Orlando Pride Nursery.