Thursday, August 1st, 2019 is the first day of new municipal waste and collection contract with Advanced Disposal. The Township contract with Advanced expired and Allen Township solicited bids from other trash vendors. Advanced was the lowest bidder and was selected to remain as the Township trash vendor. The new Advanced Disposal contract term will be effective from August 1, 2019 until June 2022, unless otherwise extended pursuant to the terms of the contract. If the Township does not choose to extend beyond 2022, rebidding will occur in June 2021.

The biggest change in the contract is to the weekly limit of three 32-gallon bags or containers with a weight of no more than 50 pounds each. Your collection day of the week will remain the same as those dates referenced on the calendar mailed to you with the 2019 Municipal Waste and Recycling invoice in early February.

The new program enables Allen Township to contain escalating costs in the volatile industry and your waste and recycling services will remain at $280.00 (base) per year billed annually.

Need Extra Trash Collected Occasionally? Stop by the township offices & purchase a sticker for $3 each, affix the tag to your extra 32-gallon trash bag, and place your bag curbside on your next collection day. There is no limit on the number of bags you may have collected in this manner. The stickers are estimated to be available for purchase at the Township Building by July 25th, 2019. Please check the Township website for further details regarding availability.

Residents will continue to utilize the red recycling containers, which are available at the Township building. Recycling collection will continue on the existing bi-weekly schedule. While recycling amounts remain unlimited, the most important goal is to avoid contamination of valuable, clean recyclable materials in your recycling bins by not mixing these materials with un-recyclable junk – which include plastic bags, plastic wrap, straws and bottle caps. Please reference the "Recycling Right Allen Township & Advanced Disposal" information at the bottom of this article to determine the acceptable items and common recycling mistakes.

With regard to bulk collections, each residence can put out two (2) bulk items on the second week of each month along with the regularly scheduled collection during these weeks. Bulk items include those items too large to fit into normal garbage cans and are further defined as items having the approximate size & weight of a standard size sofa that can be carried by two (2) men. Examples include furniture, mattresses, rolled up and tied rugs no larger than 3’x6’. Unacceptable materials that will not be collected include construction materials, hazardous waste, electronics, tires, yard waste, grass clippings or additional household trash. For 2019, the Special Bulk Curbside collections will be accepted on:

• August 15th * September 12th • October 17th * November 14th and December 12th

Can’t wait for the next bulk item collection? Stop by the township offices and purchase a tag for $25 each. Affix the tag to your bulk item and put it out curbside on your next collection day. No limit on the number of items you can have collected in this manner, but if it is more than one (2), you will need to contact Advanced Disposal at 610-440-3711 so they can plan accordingly. The stickers are estimated to be available for purchase at the Township Building by July 25th, 2019. Please check the Township website for further details regarding availability.

Curbside collction of appliances such as air conditioners, refrigerators and freezers (removal of doors and Freon), washers, dryers, hot water heaters, dehumidifiers, bicycles, and lawnmowers (oil and gas removed), BBQ grills (gas and/or charcoal removed), and various other household metal items will be accepted twice (Spring and Fall) per year on the following dates:

* October 10th, 2019 (Fall Collection) * May 7th, 2020 (Spring Collection)

Yard waste is no longer allowed in landfills in the State of Pennsylvania. Unlimited amounts of yard waste (leaves, branches, twigs, flowers, roots, bushes, garden clippings) may be brought to the Allen Township Municipal Drop Off during the hours listed below. Proof of residency will be required for yard waste. For the Allen Township Yard Waste Drop Off hours:

* Monday through Friday (with the exception of Township holidays) 7:00 am to 3:00 pm * NEW!!! Saturday Hours: June 29th, 2019 to October 26th, 2019 8:00 am to 1:00 pm

When dropping off your yard waste materials the following rules apply: Compostable brown paper bags available at certain grocery stores or online. Tie with cotton or hemp twine in bundles no larger than 3’x3’x3’, and weighing no more than 40 lbs.

** ITEMS WHICH WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED AT THE ALLEN TOWNSHIP YARD WASTE DROP OFF SITE INCLUDE: Grass clippings, tree stumps, loose soils, sod, any wood or tree limbs over four (4) inches in diameter; human or animal excrement; noxious weeds or soil contaminated with hazardous substances

Additionally, Allen Township residents may utilize The First Regional Compost Authority Central Processing Site located at 6701 Weaversville Road. The Authority accepts the same Yard Waste as listed above as well as grass clippings. However, the Authority reserves the right to limit the amount of grass clippings accepted due to PADEP regulatory permit compliance. Consult the First Regional Compost Authority link for details. Allen Township recommends residents opt to recycle grass clippings on their properties as an alternate measure to bagging of grass clippings per the “Grasscycling” link below.

Click here Recycle Right Allen Township & Advanced Disposal Information.

Click here for First Regional Compost Authority Information.

Click here for Allen Township Grasscycling Information.

The Allen Township Planning Commission meeting for July 15th is cancelled - due to lack of business items. The next meeting is scheduled for Monday, August 19th at 7 PM at the Township Building.

Please be advised the Allen Township Dog Park will be temporary closed beginnning Monday, July 8th for construction upgrades to the gated entry points and the installation of shade structures. This closure is necessary for the safety of the dogs as the gated entries will not secured during the installation of these upgrades. Please be patient. We estimate the work will take about 2 to 3 weeks to complete. The upgrades should resolve the mud issues at the entry points and will provide much needed shade for the facility. We will post updates (including reopening) as available.

Thank you for your cooperation.

Allen Township is pleased to announce the addition of Saturday hours at the Allen Township Yard Waste Drop-off located at 4714 Indian Trail Road, Northampton. Saturday hours will be available from 8AM to 1PM June 29th through October 2019.

The new hours will be in addition to the regular Monday - Friday hours of 7 AM to 3 PM. When visiting the Township Drop-Off center, please have your driver's license ready so our attendant can verify you are an Allen Township resident.

The Allen Township facility WILL Accept:

Branches (no larger than eight (8) inches in diameter and five (5) feet long)

Small Brush

Hedge Trimmings

Garden Plant Residue

Leaves (loose or in brown paper bags specifically designed for leaf disposal)

Christmas Trees (in their natural form, free of tinsel and ornaments)

The Allen Township facility WILL NOT ACCEPT:

Grass clippings

Sod

Tree Stumps

Large woody debris

Plastic or other synthetic materials

Lumber

To dispose of grass clippings, you may do so at the First Regional Compost Authority (FRCA) located at 6701 Weaversville Road, Northampton, PA. Residents should review the FRCA website for further information/rules and regulations prior to their visit at www.frcaweb.org. Grass clippings will not be accepted at the Allen Township Yard Waste Drop-off! Also, please be advised - it is a violation of the Township Solid Waste Ordinance to place grass for pickup as part of curbside trash collection.

Pick-up of finished mulch or compost is on a 'first come, first served' basis when materials are in stock.

Please remember to properly secure your yard waste materials during your travel to the Drop-Off site!

Additionally, any Allen Township residents utilizing the services of a contractor (for transport of materials from or to their property) will be required to accompany the contractor to the Township Drop-off Center in order to verify the use of the Township facility.

Thank you in advance for being responsible with dropping-off only the allowable materials.

Allen Township has been informed by PennDOT District 5 of an upcoming closure and detour of a segment of Rt. 248 near Allen Township. The closure and detour are to accommodate the replacement of two bridges on Rt. 248 between Valley View Drive and West Beersville Road. The detour of traffic will begin on or around May 28th, 2019 and be in-place through September. The schedule may be effected by weather conditions.

Detour signage will direct motorists from Rt. 248 at Walnut Drive (Pennsville) to Kreidersville Road to Howertown Road (at the four way stop intersection) to Old Carriage Road to Seemsville Road (Allen Drive) back to Rt. 248. Additionally, a truck detour will direct truck traffic from Rt. 946 to Rt. 987.

Please use caution through these areas and allow yourself extra time to get to your destinations. Allen Township is providing this information to advise citizens of the potential increase in traffic volumes on other roadways through the general area of the detour route.

Click below for the planned detours maps for passenger vehicles and large trucks provided to the Township by PennDOT representatives.

Passenger Vehicle Detour Map - Rt 248 Bridge Replacement

Passenger Truck Detour Map - Rt 248 Bridge Replacement

The Allen Township Electronic Recycling event will be held on June 1st (9AM to 1PM) at the Allen Township Fire Company located at 3530 Howertown Road. The Township sponsored event is open to Allen Township RESIDENTS ONLY.

The brochure for the Township event is available below. In addition, a supply of recycling containers will be available for distribution to Township residents.

Click here for the 2019 ALLEN TOWNSHIP ELECTRONIC RECYCLING EVENT BROCHURE.

Allen Township has recieved a challenge to the substantive validity of the Allen Township Zoning Ordinance and request for curative amendment pursuant to Section 609.1 and 916.1 of the Municipalities Planning Code.

Pursuant to an excerpt of the challenge/filing as recieved by property owners requests:

"19. In order to cure the invalidity of the zoning of the undeveloped portions of the Willow Brook Property, Landowners seek a curative amendment: (a) rezoning a 55.47 acre portion of the Willow Brook Property, on the west side of the Catasauqua Creek, to the R-2 zoning district so that it can be developed with 73 age-restricted single-family detached dwellings, 48 age-restricted semi¬detached dwellings, and 54 age-restricted townhouses ("West Tract"); (b) rezoning a 38.04 acre portion of the Willow Brook Property, on the east side of the Catasauqua Creek, to the R-3 zoning district so that it can be developed with 214 multifamily dwellings ("North Tract"); and rezoning a 42.26 acre portion of the Willow Brook Property, on the east side of the Catasauqua Creek, to the R-3 zoning district so that it can be developed with 322 multifamily dwellings ("South Tract") as depicted on a Willow Brook Farm Challenge Plan dated December I, 2018, prepared by Philip C. Seibert, RLA ("Challenge Plan") attached hereto as Exhibit "B". A copy of Landowner's Proposed Curative Amendment to the Zoning Map is attached hereto and made part hereof as Exhibit "C". 20. As depicted on the Challenge Plan, approximately 25.00 acres of the Willow Brook Property will continue to be used as a farm and equestrian center ("Farm Tract"). 21. As depicted on the Challenge Plan, approximately 39.93 acres of the Willow Brook Property (plus 42.03 acres in North Catasauqua Township) will continue to be used as a golf course and clubhouse and permitted accessory uses ("Golf Tract")."

This matter will eventually be scheduled for consideration by the Planning Commission and a public hearing will be scheduled before the Board of Supervisors. Check the published agendas for further scheduling updates. Click here for the filing and associated exhibits including the Challenge Plan Map:

Willowbrook Challenge to the Substantive Validity of the Allen Township Zoning Ordinance and Request for Curative Amendment Pursuant to Sections 609.1 and 916.1 of the Municipalities Planning Code Text and Willowbrook Challenge Plan.

Dinner for a great cause on Wednesday April 24th (from 4 to 9 PM) at Stefano's Sicilian Grille located at 5364 Nor Bath Boulevard. Stop by for dinner and 10% of the proceeds of your meal tab will automatically support the Bath Allen Youth Club.

Click here for more information.

The Allen Township Planning Commission meeting for April is cancelled.

The Northampton County Association of Township Officials announces the offering of a Scholarship Opportunity in the amount of $1,500 to any graduating high school senior residing in a Second Class Township within Northampton County, which includes Allen Township. The deadline for applications is August 2, 2019.

Click here for the full Scholarship qualifications and forms: NCATO 2019 Scholarship Announcement. NCATO 2019 Scholarship Application.

Municipal Waste & Recycling invoices have been mailed to property owners today - Februaary 1st, 2019.

Look for the invoice in the mail within the next few days. If you do not recieve your invoice, please contact the municipal office. Payments are to be submitted to the First Northern Bank and Trust located at 102 Commerce Drive, Northampton, PA. You may pay at the bank in person or via mail. If mailing your payment please utilize the remittance envelope provided with the invoice which directs the payment to the First Northern Bank and Trust located at 102 Commerce Drive, Northampton, PA


The 2019 calendar will be included with your mailed invoice, as well as information concerning on-line payments and the Township Electronic Recycling Event (scheduled for June 1st, 2019). The calendar is also available below.

Click here for a the 2019 Allen Township Trash & Recycling Pickup Calendar .

Please be advised pursuant to the provisions of the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code, public notice is hereby given that the Allen Township Board of Supervisors will hold a public hearing on December 27th, 2018 at 7:00 PM at the Allen Township Municipal Building located at 4714 Indian Trail Road, Northampton PA, for the purpose of considering revisiosn to Chapter 27 (Zoning Ordinance and Zoning Map) of the Code of Allen Township. Copies of the full Public Notice Advertisement and the full draft Zoning Ordinance Map Amendment are available by clicking on the links below.

REVISED NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING AND INTENT TO ADOPT ZONING ORDINANCE (MAP) AMENDMENT.

DRAFT ZONING ORDINANCE MAP AMENDMENT.

Today, in observance of Fire Prevention Week, members of the Allen Township Volunteer Fire Company visited Childhood Dreams in the Township.

The children learned safety awareness tips and got an up close look at the Townships Fire Engine.

Today the new Willowbrook Road traffic signals installed at the FedEx Ground Hub employee entrance and Willowbrook/Radar Drive intersection were activated into the yellow flash mode, pursuant to the PennDOT traffic signal permits. Both traffic signals will remain in the yellow flash mode until Tuesday, October 16th at which point the signals will be transitioned to full operational mode (yellow, red, and green). Please be aware of this change in traffic patterns and the October 16th activation to full operation

Additionally, in response to the FedEx Ground truck complaints received from Township residents, please be advised the Township has communicated with FedEx all incidents as reported. FedEx Ground has taken the following steps to ensure that large, owner-operated trucks are adhering to PennDot-approved routes around the new FedEx Ground Hub in Allen Township:

1. Provided FedEx Ground contracted service providers with new locater maps showing the approved PennDot routes to and from the site,

2. Installed additional signage for large truck operators leaving the hub which indicates a required left turn onto Willowbrook Road southbound, and

3. Provided the detailed instructions above to FedEx Ground’s transportation planning personnel and management for daily transportation updates.

The Township is working diligently with law enforcement and FedEx Ground Management to resolve these issues.

Allen Township Public Works Department is seeking entry level, hardworking, motivated and multi skilled applicants to fill the position of Equipment Operator/Utility. Candidates should have experience in the construction field and be comfortable working with various equipment and power tools. Knowledge and experience in asphalt, masonry and public sanitary sewer work plus. Duties include, but are not limited to, routine road maintenance, catch basin repairs and building maintenance. Experience with backhoes, loaders, excavators and various paving equipment is highly desired. Duties will include with snow and ice removal. Must be available at all times for emergency call out. Must have HS Diploma, or equivalent. Must possess a valid PA driver’s license in good standing with CDL Class B w/air brake endorsement (minimum) required. Candidates are subject to pre-employment Drug Test and Random Drug and Alcohol Tests (if employed). Competitive salary and excellent benefits package. Applications will not be accepted through email or online. Application forms are available on the Township website: www.allentownship.org. Applications must be submitted in person or through the mail to: Allen Township Municipal Building, 4714 Indian Trial Road, Northampton, PA 18067 Monday thru Friday 9am – 3pm

CLICK HERE FOR THE EMPLOYMENT APPLICATION.

The Allen Township Volunteer Fire Company will be mailing their annual fund-raising campaign to residents during the first week of September.

The Township has been advised of the cirulation of fradulent mailings within our region. These scam mailings have included the name of the local fire department but have redirected donations to a false return mailing address out of state.

Also, it is not the practice of the Allen Township Volunteer Fire Department to solicit for donations over the phone. If someone telephones you from the Allen Township Volunteer Fire Department and requests a financial donation HANG UP!

Click here to view an image of the Allen Township Volunteer Fire Company annual fund-raising campaign flier which will mailed to Township residents in early September.

Allen Township is pleased to announce that the Route 329 Bridge Replacement and Widening is tracking right on schedule, despite the bridge beam deliveries last month and the many downpours over the past two weeks!

The precast box culvert (bridge) sections have been set into place, the contractor has completed the pouring of the slab on the deck of the bridge and PennDOT has authorized the paving of the section within the closed area.

The paving through the closed section of Route 329 is planned to be completed by the end of this week. However, if rain occurs during this timeframe the contractor will be delayed. Additionally, PennDOT will release the deactivation of the detour upon a site walk of the closed section, which is planned to occur on Thursday, August 23rd.

An update concerning the start on the roadwork for the subsequent phases will be provided soon.

Effective immediately, due to illegal dumping and security issues, the Yard Waste Drop Off/Mulch & Compost Pickup Area located at the Allen Township Municipal Office/Garage site will be open Monday through Friday from 7 AM to 3:30 PM. The First Regional Compost Authority (FRCA) main processing site has additional hours available for drop off and pickup of materials. Please check the the FRCA website for hours of operation at www.frcaweb.org

Construction and paving operations are planned to for the completion of Phase 3 of the Willowbrook Road segment located in Hanover Township Lehigh County, from the Township line to Race Street. This work will further entail paving at the intersection of Willowbrook and West Bullshead - which will result in periodic traffic delays.

Please check back for updates.

Be advised to expect delays due to changing traffic patterns, temporary one-lane conditions and lane shifts. Watch for flaggers during this activity and obey all posted signage restrictions.

Please watch for the installation of temporary signs to warn of the proposed work and plan accordingly.

Motorists are urged to watch for advance warning signs and flaggers. Be prepared to stop when construction traffic and crews are entering and exiting construction zones.

Motorists are advised to allow extra time when traveling through these areas and use alternate routes if possible.

Please be advised that the Township has been contacted by USDA regarding the confirmation of the Spotted Lanternfly and added to the area of quarantine effective September 21st, 2017 due to the confirmed present of the invasive Spotted Lanternfly. The quarantine is an important legal designation. The quarantine order directs residents and municipal authorities to follow guidelines to prevent the movement of Spotted Lanternflies at any stage of development. This includes inspecting all wood and vegetation that might leave a quarantined municipality, in addition to inspecting vehicles, trailers, and other mobile equipment prior to moving it out of a quarantined area.

The Spotted Lanternfly is an invasive that is new to the United States. Spotted Lanternflies are native to Southeast Asia, but they have been introduced to other areas of Asia as well - including Korea, where Spotted Lanterflies are a major pest to agriculture. Spotted Lanternflies are reproducing quickly in areas of southeastern Pennsylania and have become a major threat to Pennsylvania's agriculture and forestry industries.

The Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture general quarantine imposes limitations for moving the following items from the quarantine area: * Any living life stage of the Spotted Lanternfly * Brush, debris, bark or yard waste * Landscaping, remodeling or construction waste * Logs, stumps or any tree parts * Firewood of any species * Packing materials like wood crates * All plants and plant parts * Outdoor household articles like RV's, lawnmowers, chairs, grills, tarps, tile, stone,lumber and trucks or other vehicles not stored indoors.

However, you can still move these items and similar items if you complete the Certification Checklist found at the link below. Plant nursery, mulch producers or other similar commercial enterprise should contact the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture regarding the necessary compliance agreement.

Current Quarantine Map.

Residents Spotted Lanternfly Certification Checklist.

Spotted Lanternfly Quarantine.

Allen Township requests all residents using the yard waste drop off/pickup area at the Municipal Building (or FRCA Processing Site) be sure to secure all incoming/outgoing loads of material. Please take this matter seriously at tie down all material in accordance with the Motor Vehicle Code!

Allen Township receives police services via the Pennsylvania State Police. Our area is served by Troop M located at the Bethlehem Station located in Hanover Township, Lehigh County. Townships officials are in contact with the State Police on a regular basis and work closely to ensure our community is kept safe. In case of an emergency always dial 911. To contact the Troop M Bethlehem Station for questions or non-emergency concerns dial 610-861-2026.

The attached brochure, entitled Accessing Your State Police provides guidance regarding appropriate information to have available when and if there is a need for a resident to contact State Police. Please keep this information as well as the emergency and non-emergency information listed available at all times.