Harrisburg receives federal “Brownfields” grant, plans more site cleanup

June 25, 2019 | by Hanna Martin

Bryan Davis, executive director of the Harrisburg Redevelopment Authority, spoke today from the future expansion site of Hamilton Health Center.

Harrisburg’s Allison Hill is littered with brownfield sites, the legacy of the many factories and other industrial companies that once operated there.

Today, the city announced the receipt of a $300,000 federal Brownfields Program grant, which will help remediate some of the residual contamination, with the goal of putting those sites back into productive use.

“A key element of the federal program is to redevelop a lot of these old, abandoned sites versus going into pristine, non-touched natural environment,” said John Armstead, the Mid-Atlantic land, chemical and redevelopment regional division director of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

The grant will be used to identify brownfield sites that have potential for redevelopment, conduct environmental assessments and plan the clean up of the sites, Armstead said.

“[The grant is] critical to us because we have so many properties that have a history of being along rail lines, being in creek beds and that have possible contamination, but in many instances, people just don’t know,” said Bryan Davis, the executive director of the Harrisburg Redevelopment Authority.

Last year, the authority received a $200,000 Brownfields Program grant. That grant, said Armstead, was leveraged for $26 million in redevelopment, as the money is used to clean up sites that otherwise would be difficult to redevelop.

This time around, potential projects for the grant may include an expansion of N.F. String and Son, Inc., one of the largest employers in the area, the redevelopment of an abandoned Coca-Cola bottling plant on Allison Hill and the creation of a new grocery store in Harrisburg, said Mayor Eric Papenfuse.

“We’ve created over a thousand jobs in the city over the last 12 months alone, and that number continues to grow,” Papenfuse said. “It’s an exciting time to invest, and this grant will lay the groundwork for additional dollars coming right here into the heart of Allison Hill.”

Hamilton Health Center built on a previous brownfield site, demonstrating the potential for development and revitalization in Allison Hill, said CEO Jeannine Peterson. She said that she hoped the grant would further the redevelopment of the area.

“We’re looking for the investment to come here,” she said. “The EPA saw it, and they gave funding to the Harrisburg Redevelopment Authority to get it started. We are so happy that the second round [of funding] is coming here. We are hoping that other businesses see the vision that we grasped over 10 years ago and come and take advantage of the area.”

The grant could also bring the potential for further community engagement. Julie Waters, the neighborhood revitalization manager of Tri-County Community Action, an advocacy group for residents of the tri-county area, said that the community is a crucial part of revitalization efforts.

“This funding stream brings great momentum that’s building in this community and in the city,” she said. “It provides another opportunity for residents to raise their voices and share their expertise so that the way the community looks and functions reflects their needs.”

Art Debut: Annual “Art of the State,” a feast for the eyes, the emotions; winners announced

June 24, 2019 | by Bob MacGinnes

The State Museum of Pennsylvania houses many collections, but none quite as diverse and rich as this one.

On Sunday, the museum unveiled this year’s “Art of the State” with an opening reception and awards ceremony, marking an exceptional 52nd edition of the annual juried contest and exhibit.

The exhibit honored some of the best artists from across the commonwealth, with artists both seasoned and emerging joining forces to create a tour de force.

Applications for this juried show started shortly after the new year. Entrants numbered 2,170, and, in the end, 110 works of art from 103 artists across 35 counties were selected. Cash prizes were awarded for painting, works on paper, photography and digital arts and sculpture and craft.

As the State Museum’s curator of fine arts, Amy Hammond, along with Carol Buck, curator of installations, took great care in presenting this latest edition of “Art of the State.”

By purposeful design, Hammond’s presentation replicates that of an upscale gallery, elevating what could be an unwieldy task in highlighting 110 works of diverse media. In this massive undertaking, many hands worked together—from collecting and cataloging to the final finish as the last piece is hung.

The power of art is such that it can transform a mere viewer to a full-in participant. There is art that speaks in a whisper, art that leaves us thunderstruck, and art that bowls us over with a feather.

In no particular order, the following are 10 “snapshots” from the 2019 class of “Art of the State”:

James Evangelista’s “The Law’s Must Change” (pictured top) is a close-up a child’s face peering through a wire fence. No work is more charged politically or fraught emotionally as one imagines a child separated from their family and freedom. This photo speaks a thousand words without uttering a sound.

“Zen Teraglyph” is a color photograph by John Meza that depicts a series of crop circles dusted by new fallen snow echoing down the centuries with man’s fascination of mysteries manifested from beyond the natural realm.

The perfection achieved in Bill Snyder’s night skyscape, “Mars Milky Way and Seneca Rocks,” almost makes one think it was staged that way. Along with Mars’ amber glow is sprinkling stardust from the Milky Way, making a serendipitous moment captured on film.

Michael Munchel’s “Salon de Musica” is a photographic study of a haunted habitué no longer present. His depiction details a salon of spirits only in showing an ambiance of abandonment. The photo features a neon pink piano as its primary focus. A diffused use of color, tinting and light only heightens the melancholy mood.

At face value, Donna Barlup’s whimsical watercolor painting captures its title perfectly, a girl sitting astride her father’s shoulders gives her the “Best Seat in the House” (pictured). Perhaps they are at a country fair, but the painting shares its deeper meaning—that special bond between daughter and father. Barlup achieves an artistic nonchalance as only a master watercolorist could attain.

The world would look a lot different to us if we only saw it in black and white. If color is king, then Chuck Olson’s “The Meeting Place” delivers the goods. But more than that, the title carries additional import as the oil painting converges head-on at the intersection of abstraction and color.

Michelle Thomas’s acrylic work on canvas, “Route 29 South, Late Autumn,” captures a stretch of road in northeastern Pennsylvania that could just as easily be an unknown destination in our imagination. Brilliantly inserting the viewer behind the wheel creates an eerie sense of entering a dreamscape. What lies around the bend is entirely up to you.

“Embrace the View” is Paul Sirofchuck’s gift to sculpture and craft at its finest. This thought-provoking, imagination-invoking combination of solid cherry, wenge, brushed aluminum and polished mirror standing 7 feet tall, is a statement piece of its own accord. If beauty is truth, then this is as honest as it gets.

Qay San’s “Emergence of the Grid” demonstrates pottery’s testament to time immemorial in its tonal and textural tribute to what looks like could be a Mayan artifact that speaks to lost civilizations. A time when life was lived completely off the grid.

Sandra Moore’s “Fat Egg II” takes Native Okeewemee red clay from North Carolina to create a vessel that defies description. The artist states, “Hot clay dictates the moment when the painting of line and direction of smoke is embedded into the burnished layers of the clay resulting in translucent planes of line and smoke.” The piece tells the story of each of those moments.

More than ever, “Art of the State” exemplifies the vast richness of art and artists distributing a common wealth to all who visit.

“Art of the State” runs through Sept. 8 at the State Museum of Pennsylvania, 300 North St., Harrisburg. It close coincides with the Art Association of Harrisburg’s citywide Gallery Walk.

And the Winners Are:

The State Museum of Pennsylvania today announced the winners of 2019 “Art of the State” juried competition. Awards are $500 for first place, $300 for second place and $200 for third place.

Photography
1^st Sanh Tran, “Untitled, No. 1 (Country Mouse)”
2^nd Lisa Bennett, “Constructed Lights 5095-45”
3^rd James Evangelista, “The Laws Must Change”
Honorable Mention: Irene VanBuskirk, “Divided Attention”
Honorable Mention: Kyle Yates, “Indiana Theater”

Painting
1^st Denny Bond, “DIY”
2^nd Debbie Baer, “Hostile Takeover”
3^rd Robert Arnosky, “Wish I Was There”
Honorable Mention: Paige Tibbe, “Mike”

Work on Paper
1^st Geoffrey Beadle, “Samuel Illuminated”
2^nd Cassaundra Flor, “Aeolian Cityscape”
3^rd Lauren Scavo-Fulk, “Building and Tree”
Honorable Mention: Terri Fridkin, “Freeriding”
Honorable Mention: Linda Aragon, “Maria”

Craft
1^st Amy LeFever, “Untitled”
2^nd Paul Sirofchuck, “Embrace The View”
3^rd Sue Reno, “In Dreams I Slept in a Cabin”
Honorable Mention: E. Douglas Wunder, “Scramble”
Honorable Mention: Janine Wang, “Snug Stones”

Sculpture
1^st Diane Pepe, “Installation: Selective Processes of Memory”
2^nd Brian Glaze, “WPA”
3^rd Jennifer Rubin Garey, “Transformation”
Honorable Mention: Tyler Stanton, “Tree House Credenza”

The State Museum Purchase Award
Cassaundra Flor: “Aeolian Cityscape”
Sanh Tran: “Untitled, No. 1 (Country Mouse)”

William D. Davis Memorial Award for Drawing
Richard Huck, “Assault”

Art Docents Choice Award
Paul Sirofchuck, “Embrace The View”

D&H, Make-a-Wish form yearlong partnership to help area youth

June 24, 2019 | by Hanna Martin

Max shakes hands with Dan and Michael Schwab of D&H during a recent event announcing the Make-A-Wish sponsorship in the Dauphin County Administration Building.

Back in October, Storm Troopers and Darth Vader greeted Max, a 13-year-old with a neuromuscular disorder at the D&H headquarters.

The surprise didn’t stop there. More than 700 employees from the technology distribution company told Max that they would be granting his wish: he and his family were going to Universal Studios.

“It was probably the most meaningful event that we’ve had in my 25 years at D&H, and the employees at D&H were honored to be involved in the wish reveal,” said Dan Schwab, co-president of D&H.

After helping to fund Max’s wish, Harrisburg-based D&H has pledged to fund wishes of local children with life-threatening conditions through a yearlong partnership with Make-A-Wish Philadelphia, Delaware and Susquehanna Valley.

Although D&H frequently does philanthropic initiatives as part of its charity organization called D&H Cares, Schwab said that the company has never done an initiative of this magnitude.

Starting in April 2020, the company will grant approximately 12 to 14 wishes per year.

Beyond providing funding for wishes, D&H hopes to spread awareness about the Make-A-Wish Foundation.

“One of the big misconceptions about Make-A-Wish is that people think that it’s only for children who are terminal,” Schwab said. “[Make-A-Wish] is for kids who have a life-threatening disease. A lot of parents don’t realize that their children may be eligible, and so in order to drive awareness and highlight our commitment to Dauphin County, we wanted to make sure that all wishes are funded.”

The largest privately owned company in the region, D&H maintains a commitment to the local area and to its employees, who also own 36 percent of the company, Schwab said. Long based in Harrisburg, D&H earlier this year announced an impending move to Lower Paxton Township, about six miles from its current headquarters on N. 7^th Street.

“We run the company like a family,” Schwab said. “We focus a lot on the health and wellness of our employees, but we also focus on our contributions to the community, because we all live, work and play in the local area.”

D&H was founded over a century ago and has been operating in Dauphin County for 70 years.

Schwab hopes that the company’s partnership with Make-A-Wish will deepen the company’s commitment to the community.

“We never want to forget our roots and our commitment to the local community that helped us become successful,” Schwab said.

For more information on D&H, visit www.dandh.com For more information on Make-A-Wish Philadelphia, Delaware and Susquehanna Valley, visit www.philadesv.wish.org.

The Week that Was: A summary of news and features around Harrisburg.

June 21, 2019 | by TheBurg Staff

Harrisburg school Director Carrie Fowler spoke to the press outside of the Dauphin County courthouse on Monday.

From schools to trash to art, there was no lack of Harrisburg news this past week. Here are some of the stories that you may have missed–or already forgot.

Art Festivals abound this summer in Pennsylvania. Find out what’s being shown from the Schuylkill to the Allegheny.

Carlisle Arts Learning Center opened its newest exhibit, “Works and Working,” featuring artwork from a variety of techniques and disciplines. Learn about the new show here.

Death Cab for Cutie brought major concerts back to the Harrisburg waterfront with a show in Riverfront Park, part of the H.U. Concert Series. It was a damp but fun evening, said our reporter.

Devin DePamphilis is a young photographer with a bright future ahead—or maybe he’ll just decide to become a dentist. Click here to learn about his award-winning photography.

Harrisburg entered into an intergovernmental cooperation agreement so that the city soon will begin picking up Steelton’s trash. We published stories both about the City Council vote and the official announcement.

Harrisburg school district conceded the fight over receivership, surprising a packed courtroom by voluntarily agreeing to a state Department of Education takeover. Click here for the full story.

Harrisburg’s historic markers are getting a facelift, thanks to a combined effort by Historic Harrisburg Association and Midtown Action Council. Click here for the full story.

Harrisburg musician Nyshae Bell, under the name Ayana Aura, sings of her life and struggles, featured as part of TheBurg’s continuing series on local black musicians for African American Music Appreciation Month. Click here to read her story.

Janet Samuels was named the receiver for the Harrisburg school district and presided over her first school board meeting. Get all the details here and here.

Moss Creek Art opened recently in New Cumberland, featuring a variety of custom-made jewelry and art pieces. Find out how owner Carlee Seele took the unusual journey from dentist to artist.

Mostly Toasted debuted in the Broad Street Market, specializing in gourmet-style grilled cheese sandwiches. Get all the tasty, gooey details by reading our story.

Quirky hotels were once a mainstay across the American landscape, but many have faded away over the years. In central PA, a few still exist, and you can stay there. Read our feature story here.

Sara Bozich has a weekend full of fun in store, including 3^rd in the Burg and a new brewery featured at Sip @ Soma. Find out her recommendations here.

Strawberry Square in downtown Harrisburg saw two new openings this past week, as both Curry in a Hurry and a new Sprint store held ribbon-cuttings. Curry in a Hurry is the food court outpost of the legendary Shipoke restaurant, A Passage to India.

Do you receive TheBurg Daily, our daily digest of news and events? If not, subscribe here.

Songs of Her Life: From her struggles, Ayana Aura sings

June 21, 2019 | by Yaasmeen Piper

While driving to the mall with her mother back in 2015, Nyshae Bell was casually singing along to the radio (well casually for her–others might call it a mini-performance).

Bell suddenly turned to her mother and said, “Mom, I want to make it by 25.” Without hesitation, her mother responded, “You can make it now.”

That was all the encouragement she needed to dive headfirst into her music. Now 24, Bell, better known as “Ayana Aura,” (pictured) is working on her third EP titled, “Not Like You.” For years, the singer and songwriter brought her soulful voice to venues across Harrisburg and Pittsburgh.

“I make songs for sad girls, girls who want money or got money, girls who like girls, girls who are happy in their skin—all girls,” she said.

Bell was never one to take her music seriously. When she was younger, her mother would often catch her singing, using a hairbrush as a mic.

But, when she developed depression at 12 years old, singing became the only light she had left. It didn’t help that she felt like her family wasn’t paying much attention to her. But, when people would hear her sing, they would stop, listen, and admire her voice, and finally pay attention to her.

So, she kept singing. She started performing at local mic nights around her Milton Hershey High School. However, she did not start taking her music seriously until she was in college. Her friend introduced her to local musicians Hippyswizzy and Treble. As soon as they heard she sing they wanted her to join their group.

She and her group, called “Soullive,” had their first major performance in 2014 where they opened for Bow Wow for his 28th birthday party in New Castle.

“That was my first big crowd, I was like, ‘Oh my gosh,’” Bell said. “I messed up a couple of times, but that’s all a part of growth.”

After that, Bell started to work on music for herself. She released her first single, “717,” which was an ode to Harrisburg. The song was featured on her first EP, “City of Dreams,” released in 2017. The song makes her cringe to this day, though she reassures that it’s not a bad song. The reason why she cringes is because she knew she wasn’t really opening up in her music.

Her next EP, “Cupid Stupid,” features three anti-Valentine’s Day tracks where Bell talks about her struggles with finding love.

“I didn’t want to let people in with my music,” she said. “Now, I am being more honest with myself and with my music because I feel that there are other people out there who feel the same way I feel.”

Bell is currently brainstorming visuals to go with her latest song, “Netflix & Chill,” and crafting her next EP. According to Bell, “Not Like You” will be her biggest project yet.

She hopes her music will push people to open up more about their personal struggles, whether with mental health or love, and also encourage more women to create music.

“Men have always had power. It’s time to take it back,” she said. “If you have a voice and talent, why not use it for good?”

You can hear Bell live on July 7 at the “Baddies Blossom” show at La Cultura on 214 Verbeke St., Harrisburg. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. To listen to her music now, visit https://soundcloud.com/ayana-aura.

This story is one in a series of local musician profiles in celebration of African American Music Appreciation Month.

Of Drills and Jewels: With her new shop, Carlee Seele has moved from dental work to artwork

June 20, 2019 | by Hanna Martin

Carlee Seele in front of her new shop, Moss Creek Art, in New Cumberland.

Carlee Seele worked in dentistry when she discovered that her dental tools had another purpose: jewelry making.

After she created her first piece, a dragonfly pendant, her friends began to ask for custom-made jewelry of their own, so she set up shop in her basement. Now, she has opened her brick-and-mortar shop, Moss Creek Art, in New Cumberland.

“Having this new location, I want to focus on better customer service, being a little more personable with everybody and letting people know I’m available,” Seele said. “I’m just trying to stay afloat and help people along the way.”

Although the New Cumberland native started her career making jewelry, her work now includes glass wall art, cremation pieces, lighting, dishes and wall art, among other glass pieces. Seele does not blow glass, but she creates her work through a process of kiln-fusing and torch fire.

Seele relies on her history in dentistry and on the help of online jewelry-making communities to create her one-of-a-kind pieces.

“Jewelry-making is not really that much different from dentistry,” she said. “You’re using a lot of similar techniques where you’re molding the metal and then polishing it. It’s just that you’re working in a studio versus a sterilized oral cavity. But I’m still using a lot of the same instruments. Dremel tools are just like dental drills.”

The interior of the shop.

Of Seele’s most popular items are her cremation ash pieces, in which she incorporates a small amount of ashes or hair from a deceased loved one or pet and incorporates it into a piece of glass jewelry.

“Someone who has had a loved one pass away comes in and they’re distraught, and you make a connection with them and help them feel better,” she said. “The cremation pieces give people a chance to carry their loved one around instead of just putting them on a fireplace mantle.”

Seele said that the biggest inspiration for her pieces is nature and travel. However, although she enjoys making nature-inspired pieces, her main focus is creating pieces to satisfy her customers.

“I try to pay attention to what people are asking for,” she said. “You can always make what you want, but if it doesn’t sell, you’re not going to make rent. So, I’m trying to pay attention to what touches people and what talks to them. It’s really about what talks to the person, so a piece of me becomes a piece of them eventually.”

In the near future, Seele hopes that other artists will open stores in New Cumberland.

“I want to bring back a resurgence of art and music down here,” she said. “There are a couple vacant spaces, so hopefully, we’ll have more galleries move in. The more the better. I think competition’s good, because I’m not the only artist around. Come down to take some time, walk around and explore the area.”

Moss Creek Art is located at 315 Bridge St in New Cumberland. For more information, visit https://www.mosscreekart.com/.

Just a little wet, joyful crowd cheers Death Cab for Cutie in Riverfront Park

June 20, 2019 | by Yaasmeen Piper

In the twilight, a crowd cheers as Death Cab for Cutie plays in Riverfront Park in Harrisburg.

The rains fell early, but wet clothes and mud-soaked shoes were not enough to dampen enthusiasm for Death Cab for Cutie on Wednesday night.

Thousands of people gathered in Riverfront Park, a mix of generations, some sporting sleeve tattoos and flower crowns, others wearing button-downs and slacks. Some came from out of town, but many walked to the concert from their houses and apartments in Harrisburg. In any case, everyone was itching to see the band–and, like magic, the skies cleared up just in time.

“Death Cab for Cutie is one of the top six alternative bands of all time. They’re up there with U2, Coldplay and a bunch of others,” said Frank Schofield, director of live entertainment and media services for Harrisburg University, which organized the concert. “We’re just happy they came in to be part of this moment for us.”

Following well-received opener Bad Bad Hats and without an introduction (because, do they really need one?), the Grammy-nominated band fell into their song, “I Dreamt We Spoke Again.” Many of their songs from the night were from their latest album, “Thank You for Today.” The band’s unwavering energy kept the audience up and moving for almost two hours, even through some of their more mellow tunes.

Lead singer Benjamin Gibbard moved up, down and around the stage, often smiling and singing with his bandmates. Keyboardist Zac Rae, sporting a Claude Monet-esque beard, stood through some songs, leading the audience on clapping to the beat. For some songs, the band extended their instruments forward, prompting cheers from the crowd.

Death Cab for Cutie on Wednesday night.

Their ending song, “We Look Like Giants,” featured a red, purple and blue light show flashing all over the crowd and the stage. Gibbard held his guitar in the air singing the ending lyrics, “And I held you closer…”

But the audience wasn’t done yet. Shouts of “encore,” and “one more song,” got the band back on stage. They played three more songs, including a solo rendition of “I’ll Follow You Into The Dark,” from Gibbard.

“I love that they came to Harrisburg because it’s way more convenient and the fact that it’s an outdoor concert is way more fun,” said concertgoer Grace Moe. “Rain or shine, it’s still a lot of fun to hang out and have a good time.”

The Death Cab for Cutie show is a part of Harrisburg University’s Concert Series. The university previously hosted artists such as Kurt Vile, The Record Company and Joan Osborne. Next up is Chris Pureka on July 12 at Greystone Public House.

For information on upcoming shows, visit concertseries.harrisburgu.edu.

Mostly Toasted makes a cheesy debut as Broad Street Market’s newest food choice

June 20, 2019 | by Maddie Conley

It wasn’t even noon, and already a line had formed on the first day of business at Mostly Toasted, the newest vendor at the Broad Street Market.

The Broad Street Market is known for its unique array of cuisines from around the world.

The market’s newest business, Mostly Toasted, is taking it back to the basics of Americana.

Mother-daughter duo Sally and Jewel Shanahan are the artists behind the gourmet grilled cheese sandwiches being served up, starting today.

“I started cooking sandwiches because I’m a mom,” Sally said, as she juggled an early rush of customers to her new stand. “Kids like grilled cheese sandwiches, so I just started playing around with them.”

Mostly Toasted’s menu features sandwiches stuffed with more than just cheese. There are seven options to choose from.

The “Bold and Beautiful” is piled with cheddar merlot, steak, onions and asparagus, while the “Johnny Appleseed” adds a fruity flavor combining Havarti, bacon and granny smith apples. Grilled cheese prices range from $7.50 to $8.95.

“I heard they were coming a few months ago—and I’ve been excited ever since,” said Samay Sappal, one of the first customers to order. “It’s real cheese. You can’t go wrong.”

Sally confirmed that all of their products are locally sourced and the main ingredient, cheese, comes from grass-fed cows. Focusing on organic and sustainable products and practices, Mostly Toasted uses many compostable food service items as well, such as their cups and paper bags that can be composted in the organics bin next to their stand.

“The Broad Street Market is so cool, and that’s why I’m so excited to be here,” Sally said. “I’m 50 years old, and I’m finally doing something I’m excited to do for work.”

Mostly Toasted is located towards the back of the brick building of the Broad Street Market in Harrisburg. For more information, visit their Facebook page.

Weekend Roundup with Sara Bozich

June 20, 2019 | by Sara Bozich

Happy Weekend!

Need something to do tonight?? Voodoo Brewery is at sip @ soma and we still have spots for the 8 p.m. seating! FREE rez, pay-as-you-go, Bricco delivery menu, I’ll be there, yada.

I’m super stoked to be joining fellow blogger/influencers beforehand at Neighbors & Smith’s special event (and I plan on bringing some of ya’ll downtown with me) to check out the brand new building in downtown Camp Hill. Follow me on IG for the preview, then visit this Saturday for the grand opening or anytime after!

3rd in the Burg is Friday with loads to do city-wide. May we suggest spending it in SoMa with sip @ soma with Voodoo, shop Stash x Midtown Dandy, then dinner at El Sol or Bricco?

You’ll also want to check out Steelton Fest on Saturday — we have a bunch of great local vendors providing craft beer, wine, and cocktails — plus there’s loads of live music, food trucks, and more.

On Sunday, how ’bout a trip to Carlisle to check out Music & Mimosas Brunch at Grand Illusion Cider?

What are you doing this weekend?

(more…)

Harrisburg officially picks up Steelton as new trash customer

June 19, 2019 | by Maddie Conley

Harrisburg Mayor Eric Papenfuse, surrounded by city and Steelton officials, announced a new intergovernmental agreement on Wednesday.

Usually, Harrisburg’s mayor doesn’t intentionally stand in front of trash trucks for photo ops, but this day was different.

Both Harrisburg and Steelton officials gathered at the city’s Public Works building late on Wednesday to officially announce their new intergovernmental sanitation agreement.

Last night, Harrisburg City Council voted unanimously to allow the city to begin collecting Steelton’s residential trash and recycling starting the week of July 1.

“This was an opportunity we were really pleased to grab hold of and work together on,” Mayor Eric Papenfuse said.

Steelton Council President Brian Proctor said that he was the first to approach Harrisburg officials with the idea of joining forces after borough residents voiced complaints about the service provided by their long-time hauler, Republic Services. They also were staring at a significant price increase from $24.45 to as high as $39.45 per month for trash collection.

“The borough of Steelton listened to its residents—and we listened to our residents,” Papenfuse said.

Steelton residents will now pay $25 a month for trash pickup compared to the $32.34 Harrisburg city residents pay.

Papenfuse explained that this discrepancy is due to the much higher “tipping fee” that Harrisburg pays for refuse disposal at the Lancaster County Solid Waste Management Authority (LCSWMA) facility in south Harrisburg.

Public Works Director Aaron Johnson emphasized that the new agreement will not cause a shortage of employees in Harrisburg.

“It’s my belief that we can do this better than anyone,” added Deputy Director David West.

Local officials from both municipalities said they were pleased at how quickly the agreement came together since the process began less than a month ago.

“To get two municipal councils to work together in a few weeks is remarkable,” Papenfuse said.

Steelton residents can expect welcome letters, and an initial quarterly bill, to be sent out in July, along with the dimensions and models of their new trashcans, Papenfuse said.

Steelton Planning Commission Chairman Dennis Heefner summed up the end result in a simple way–better service for borough residents.

“I’m just happy they will take their time and empty the trash,” he said.

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Happy Weekend!

What are you doing this weekend?

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