BUFFALO TWP — The township supervisors on Wednesday extinguished leaf burning.

They enacted a new ordinance banning leaf burning to meet state Department of Environmental Protection regulations.

Supervisor Chairman John Haven agreed with the state that leaf burning can be an issue.

He said in an interview that the impact to the air in the township was evident from Freeport.

“You couldn’t see Buffalo Township,” said Haven because of the burning. “It was a cloud of smoke.”

Haven said the township must take another step to meet all DEP requirements.

“We’ll have to have a leaf collection system in place for the fall,” he said.

Although the state mandates municipalities have such a system, residents are not required to participate.

Township solicitor Larry Lutz said a few words will be added to the proposed ordinance stating leaves may be composted or mulched along with being collected. However, the township is seeking clarification from the DEP on what constitutes leaf waste.

Haven said tree trimmings could fall under the ban.

Residents still can burn cardboard, wood and paper.

The new ordinance supplements existing township code on burning, which covers barrels, campfires and open burning pits.

Residents previously were required to obtain an annual $10 permit to burn. But under DEP regulations, the township now has grace periods of 8 to 10 a.m., and 6 to 8 p.m. when a permit is not needed.

Burning remains banned on Sundays and holidays.

In other action, the board approved Freeport School District’s lot consolidation.

Lutz said nearly 10 parcels owned by the district had to be consolidated before it could get a building permit for construction of a new middle school.