Lawn-mowing grass clippings drop-offs were to resume May 1 and 2 at township recycling centers for Salisbury Township residents.

Salisbury Township Manager Cathy Bonaskiewich announced at the April 27 township workshop Salisbury Township Director of Public Works John Andreas said Republic Services, township waste hauler, would transport grass clippings to First Regional Compost Authority, 6701 Weaversville Road. East Allen Township, Northampton County.

According to an April 28 notice on the Salisbury Township website, “Effective Monday, May 1, 2017, the township will once again accept grass clippings at the drop-off centers.”

The Franko drop-off center will be open 3 to 6 p.m. May 4.

Devonshire will be open 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. May 6.

Dumpsters for the clippings were to have been placed at the Devonshire Recycling Center on the west side and Franko Farm Park Recycling Center on the east side.

At the start of April 27 township workshop, Commissioner Deb Brinton said, “I got two phone calls about this [grass clippings].”

“We have been working on it,” Bonaskiewich replied.

Robert Agonis, of the Salisbury Township Environmental Advisory Council Task Force, said six persons who wanted to drop off grass clippings were turned away April 22 at the Franko recycling facility.

Agonis said by noon April 22, another half-dozen persons who wanted to drop off grass clippings were turned away.

Agonis said persons wanting to drop off grass clippings were also turned away at the Devonshire recycling facility.

Commissioners agreed by consensus at the workshop to approve Andreas’ recommendation to utilize FRCA.

FRCA, a noncommercial operation, was formed by five Northampton County municipalities, Allen, East Allen, Bushkill, Lehigh and Moore townships, to develop and operate a leaf and yard waste compost facility to service the municipalities and others in the region. Allen Township was lead agency for the development of the project.

The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection allows FRCA to accept grass clippings.

According to its website, FRCA charges commercial accounts based on a grass clippings rate schedule. The commercial account will be billed on a monthly basis.

Bonaskiewich told commissioners the township has spent about $27,000 on collecting grass clippings over the past three years. “That [cost] is built into the operation,” she said. The township refuse and recycling fee is $65 per quarter per residence.

On April 18, a notice on the township website stated, “Effective Immediately: Due to the closure of Lehigh County’s Recycling Facility in Schnecksville, the township cannot accept grass clippings at either drop-off location until further notice while suitable alternatives are explored.”

The Spotted Lanternfly was mentioned as a factor for the Lehigh County Recycling Facility in Schnecksville, North Whitehall Township, to no longer accept recycling material.

According to Agonis, “There’s nothing in trying to link the Spotted Lanternfly to grass.”

In March, Salisbury Township and Coopersburg borough were added to the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture Spotted Lanternfly Quarantine, which includes Lower Macungie, Upper Macungie, Upper Milford, Lower Milford, Upper Saucon, Whitehall and South Whitehall townships, Alburtis borough, Macungie borough, Allentown city and Bethlehem city.

The quarantine, supported by affected communities, states items that could hold any life stage of the Spotted Lanternfly may not knowingly be moved outside the quarantined area without inspection and compliance. This includes firewood, vehicles, outdoor household items, and any items stored outside, as well as building materials and plants or plant parts.

The quarantine includes municipal recycling centers.

The Spotted Lanternfly, aka Lycorma delicatula (White), attacks hosts including grape vines and apple trees and has the potential to harm the grape, fruit tree, and logging industries. Early detection is considered vital for the protection of Pennsylvania businesses and agriculture.