South Whitehall resident Celie Turner would like to see the township develop a procedure to create mulch from grass clippings, leaves and twigs, which presently are not processed by the municipality.

Turner addressed commissioners with her concerns at the April 17 meeting.

"We like to pride ourselves on being a first rate community," Turner said. "Why don't we have a mulching system for compost? It's costing taxpayers to haul it off, and people would use it."

Director of Administration Tony Ganguzza responded to her question.

"You need equipment and a location for the equipment and people to operate it," Ganguzza explained.

Turner offered her comments.

"You don't need a lot of equipment to make compost," Turner said. "When you buy mulch, it costs a lot of money. It's a civic responsibility to recycle this material. There are a lot of places you could put something like this."

Public Works Manager Bob Ibach explained what happens to organic material collected in the township.

As part of the refuse and recycling contract, the South Whitehall trash hauler picks up most yard waste, grass and branches and delivers the materials to the Middle Smithfield operation in Schnecksville.

The company bought the composting facility, which had been run by Lehigh County, near KidsPeace.

Through their garbage fees, residents cover the cost of hauling the yard material to the Schnecks-ville site. Leaves are delivered to two different places.

Because Haines and Kibblehouse gave the township the best price for accepting the leaves, many are delivered to that site, which is not too far from the municipal building.

Some leaves are taken to Rodale Farm, which accepts them for free, but which is a longer distance for public works trucks to travel, thus consuming more fuel and more employee time.

Commissioners directed staff to study the cost of equipment and labor needed for a composting center in the township and compare it with the current system of hauling it away.

Turner, a member of the Parkland Garden Club, who lives near Wehr's Dam Park, said if other townships such as Lower Macungie can recycle yard waste, South Whitehall should be able to, also.

In other business, commissioners welcomed Caitlin Stibitz as a new member on the Parks and Recreation Board.

They also re-appointed William Glose III to that same board and commended him for the fine service he has already rendered.