Harmony and Zelienople boroughs are continuing to provide a good example of how neighboring communities can help one another, having already been successful in shared street-sweeping services.

A new venture involving the two boroughs centers on leaf collection and sharing of a wood chipper machine. Meanwhile, the two municipalities also are eyeing an accord on shared snow-removal services.

The savings isn’t going to be astronomical. However, for communities the size of these, any savings of hundreds or a couple thousand dollars is significant.

The cooperation these two boroughs are exhibiting is a positive example for other communities to emulate. As long as the cooperation complies with state law, there is no reason for communities to balk at any money-saving cooperation opportunities that they can achieve.

For Zelienople and Harmony, the basis for their growing cooperation is a joint comprehensive plan approved by the boroughs earlier this year. That document stipulates that the two communities should look for ways to share services, and it’s clear that officials of the two towns are serious about implementing that recommendation.

Regarding shared snow-removal services, assuming that the go-ahead for them will be given, equipment of the two boroughs won’t have to stop at their respective borough limits, especially in instances where that is not convenient. The equipment will be able to continue on into the neighboring municipality and return “home” after an easy turnaround can be accomplished.

Likewise, a shared-services agreement can be regarded as a winter insurance policy, should one of the communities experience equipment breakdowns.

The state looks kindly upon municipal cooperation in general and especially where two or more municipalities can join together for such projects as installation of sanitary sewer and water systems. Cooperation gives communities an edge when applying for state grants.

There also have been instances where neighboring municipalities have been able to help one another on street repairs.

The key is for communities to always be looking for ways to benefit one another and, in the process, save money.

Zelienople and Harmony are increasingly becoming a model of municipal cooperation, and they remain committed to looking for other ways to help themselves and each other.

The joint comprehensive plan is a solid foundation on which they can continue to build.