Whitehall Township Board of Commissioners at Monday’s workshop meeting discussed the enormous number of unpaid garbage bills, agreeing although it is a troubling situation that occurs yearly, perhaps this time, the issue could be hit head-on.

“My opinion is we’ve got to do something - whatever the hell we do to run loose on these people,” Commissioner Philip Ginder said.

This has been a vexing problem for Ginder, who has been addressing it for several years - in particular, toward the end of the year when the budget is being considered.

A total of $750,000 is outstanding in garbage bills, Ginder said, adding that liens are being placed against the nonpaying property owners.

“Three-quarter million outstanding is a big number,” Ginder said.

“I agree. It’s getting out of control,” added Whitehall Township Mayor Edward D. Hozza Jr.

One option mentioned in past years was to not pick up the garbage from properties whose garbage bills are in arrears. Township officials concede, though, that failing to collect the garbage leads to another issue - health matters.

Hozza spoke about the possible option of shutting off the residence’s water, affecting also the sewer service. That, he said, could result in immediate compliance.

Another option brought to the table by Hozza was the ability to allow property owners to pay their garbage bill by credit card.

The board discussed the merits of that idea.

“You just can’t make it for garbage,” Ginder said, adding the implementation of credit cards would have to be expanded to other township bills.

Deputy Mayor Jack Meyers and Hozza concurred many of the same property owners yearly fail to pay their garbage bill, which is a fee and not a tax. Ginder said it is just not right that some people with little money struggle but pay their garbage bill, while others in arrears still get their refuse picked up - essentially for free.

There also was talk of having the names of those delinquent in paying their garbage bills published in the newspaper, but such possibility didn’t seem to gain any groundswell among the commissioners.

“You would be shocked,” Hozza said of the “reputable people on the list” of delinquent garbage bills.