Whitehall Township is concerned with a recent Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection inspection that concluded Coplay Aggregates violated its state issued permit.

The inspection revealed that crushed glass at the quarry site off West Coplay Road included syringes, feminine hygiene products, vials and other items.

Mayor Edward D. Hozza Jr. said the township is awaiting word of the fine the DEP will impose on Coplay Aggregates and whether it will grant the company's request "for the next level of regulated fill" to be permitted at the quarry.

The township administration and board of commissioners oppose the DEP granting such a permit to Coplay Aggregates.

At a recent meeting, commissioners President Linda Snyder commented on the 12-page DEP report that included photographs.

"I don't really think it should be kept quiet," she said. "Residents should be made aware what is happening or better yet of what is being dumped there. What about our water table?"

The state inspection conducted in October revealed crushed glass has been used as a fill material. Also observed among the debris were batteries, rusty saw blades, plastic utensils, pens, pencils, toys, toy parts, plastic and metal bottle caps.

"In the clean fill placement area we encountered a crew dumping and spreading loads of incoming soil. In this area we saw crushed glass being used as a fill material," the state DEP report stated.

The report also concluded crushed glass does not appear to be used as proposed.

Coplay Aggregates said it has met the state DEP requirements in accepting crushed glass in the construction of embankments around an existing sump pit.

The state notes Coplay Aggregates, located at Beekmantown Road between North Coplay and Stiles, submitted applications for coverage under two waste management rules in March of 2014. The purpose of the permits is to beneficially use regulated fill to bring a site to construction grades and to use paper sludge as a soil amendment to stabilize and promote vegetation growth in soils lacking adequate nutrients.

"We have a list of many violations from the DEP, so what is the outcome or penalties?" Snyder asked.

Township Solicitor Charles Fonzone said he expects a response from the DEP regarding the fines and next steps taken.

Photographs in the DEP report show a tipped load that has medical tubing, syringe and crushed glass piled around an existing pump. Photographs also show masonry waste, crushed glass and soil piles in the active fill area and paper sludge washed down a slope into the sump area.