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First Posted: 8/12/2012

The board of supervisors voted Monday to allow the township solicitor to draft an agreement that would allow for the sale of excess compost.

Solicitor Jeffrey Malak said the supervisors would need to draft an agreement and have the action approved by the state Department of Environmental Protection before moving forward with the sale.

Resident Mary Dockeray had many questions about the venture and opposed the measure because she felt it would take business away from local farmers.

Supervisor Al Fox said the compost will still be free for residents. The program began two years ago when the township joined the West Side Compost Commission, which enabled the township to purchase a grinder through a state grant.

He said compost is made and available for residents to pick up Monday through Saturday from dawn until dusk. Fox said Dockeray could express her feelings, but the supervisors have chosen this measure to benefit residents, and she is free not to participate.

He said the funds from the commercial purchases would offset the costs of running the grinder.

The board also approved an increase in municipal quarterly contributions from 5 to 7 percent to the Pennsylvania Municipal Retirement System.

Upon questioning from Dockeray, Malak said the statewide retirement system suggested the increase due to poorly-performing investments. Fox believes it was the first time a raise in contributions was suggested in 10 years.

Supervisors also approved an update to the police policy duty manual as prepared by the police chief. Supervisor John Wilkes Jr. said the update was suggested by the township’s insurance carrier, which performs an audit annually.

Fox said the manual includes “everything you could think of” that defines police procedures and how to perform them. He said many of the policies are statewide.

The next Jackson Township Board of Supervisors meeting will be held at 6 p.m. on Sept. 3 in the municipal building.