It has been reported by recipients of the letter that the real estate tax information, for their property, provided in the letter is not accurate.

Taxes cannot be legally increased to 24.7 mills as stated in the letter. The legal real estate tax millage rate set for Second Class Townships in the State of Pennsylvania for general purposes is a max of 14 mills. Townships are governed according to the Second Class Township Code. The Township would need to go to Court to request an increased millage rate over 14 mills. This in my opinion would be negligent management.

Review Township Code Section 3205. Township and Special Tax Levies by searching  Act of May 1, 1933,P.L. 103, No. 69 Cl. 73 - "SECOND CLASS TOWNSHIP CODE, THE".

The Second Class Township Code does allow for additional taxes to be levied for special purposes, such as, street lights, fire hydrants, fire services, etc.

Susquehanna Accounting and Consulting Solutions Inc. (SACS) was hired by the current Plainfield Twp Board of Supervisors to prepare a financial analysis of the Township funds taking into account the Waste Management/GCSL Closure. The report is an idea and is not certain and does not take into account all of the Township Funds. The report projects interest on the Trust Fund too low at 1.54%, inflation at 4.2%, factors in one time purchases (i.e. a Fire Truck for $1.5 Million in 2023), etc. The same Corporation (SACS) was hired by Waste Connections (AKA Bethlehem Landfill) in order to make a case for why Lower Saucon needs to approve a new landfill. The Lower Saucon Controller noted the study was greatly exaggerated. (Her statement was in the newspaper)

Prior Plainfield Twp Boards already planned for the closure of the Grand Central Sanitary Landfill. In 1988 a Solid Waste Processing and Disposal Zoning District was approved. In 1997 a Trust Fund was set up to save for when the landfill would reach capacity and close. Paul Azzaretto, from Morgan Stanley reported at the June 11, 2025 Board meeting that the current balance in the Trust Fund is $15.9 million.  The current landfill is projected to be full in approximately 4 years (2029).  At that time the Trust Fund should hold approximately $20 million. Annual interest should be in the range of $800,000. The annual interest from the Trust Fund could be utilized in the General Fund to take the place of the Act 101 fee from the landfill. In 2017 the Board and Manager reviewed several scenarios of utilizing the Trust Fund after closure of the landfill.

Comprehensive Plan – The creation of a new Solid Waste Processing and Disposal District does not align with the intent of the Plainfield, Pen Argyl and Wind Gap Joint Comprehensive Plan from 2004. Plainfield Township was also diligent in having language reviewed regarding landfills while involved with Plan Slate Belt from 2019-2023. The intent was to not open up the possibility for future landfills in the Township.

The Open Space Fund has a balance over $6 million and the law allows for a portion to be utilized toward maintenance. PA House Bill #221 (Act 15 of 2022)– Allows a local government unit that imposes a dedicated real estate tax or earned income tax for preserving and maintaining land for open space under Act 442 of 1967 to use a portion of the tax revenue for maintenance of open space land that was not acquired under the provisions of Act 442 of 1967. The legislation became effective on June 18, 2022.

The Township could start by utilizing a portion of the interest earned annually for this purpose. Plainfield Township can plan to maintain some of the recreation properties without levying additional taxes. The revision allows for local governments to utilize up to 25% of Open Space Tax revenue toward maintenance and development of open space regardless of how the open space was acquired.

A Liquid Fuels Fund allocation is received each year from the State as long as the Township submits the required reports. This money is used for the purpose of maintaining roads. It is not enough money for the complete maintenance but it does help.  The State has responded to the fact that as more electric vehicles are on the roads the gas tax revenue goes down. There is now a charge on electric vehicles to try to bridge the funding gap.

The Township is fiscally sound and has other reserve accounts (i.e. Host Retro) The majority of municipalities in the State of Pennsylvania operate without landfill income. Many Corporations and small businesses contribute toward youth sports, and should get more credit for doing so.

Grant applications are available annually. The Township  was very successful in the past of obtaining grant funding. Money is available for recreation, police and fire vehicles, infrastructure, etc.

The Solid Waste Disposal and Processing Zoning District established I 1988 is reaching capacity. There is not  a small minority of people pushing for the landfill to close. The closure is due to the reality of the Zoning District being maxed out. The same request for a new Solid Waste Zoning District was before the Board of Supervisors in 2020 and the Board voted to not Rezone the area. WM/GCSL proposes a new intersection across Pen Argyl road for access to a new SW District. Trucks would cross 1 per minute. Pen Argyl road already has two intersections at Mill Road and at Delabole Road. Both ot the existing intersections have high accident rates.

The proposed new area is too close to populated areas and those residents quality of life matter. The safety of the residents matter.

A Washington Township Supervisor and the Township Attorney attended a Plainfield Township Board of Supervisors meeting in order to voice their concerns about another landfill area that will be in close proximity to their residents. Washington Township residents have voiced concerns about odor issues from the current landfill.

In the Borough of Pen Argyl letter dated February 5, 2025 to Ken Field, Chairman of the Plainfield Township Board of Supervisors, the following is noted in the second paragraph. As noted in the FCA, Pen Argyl Borough is described as a neighboring community because of its contiguous proximity to the landfill. The Borough endures the impacts of, but not limited to odor, dust, litter, noise and possible unknown health risks. Potential rezoning and expansion would also affect new areas of the Borough, notably among them are Weona Park, its National Historic Carousel, and the Green and White Youth Association playing fields. Both areas are heavily utilized by children and adults, not just from Pen Argyl but neighboring communities as well.

There is a Class Action lawsuit against the current WM/GCSL landfill regarding odor issues. www.GrandCentrallandfillClassAction.com

In order to mask odors at the landfill an odor mister is used everyday (July 13, 2022 Plainfield Township Board of Supervisor minutes) The odor being used at that time was “rain fresh” as per WM employee Joe Statile. (I asked the question due to smelling it many mornings at my home. I live almost 2 miles away-Jane Mellert)

Pen Argyl and Wind Gap have their own Councils to plan for the future of their Boroughs. Municipal Cooperation needs to take place, but as a resident of Plainfield would you think it was right to ask them to host a landfill for your benefit?