Lower Swatara Township

06/05/2026

📢 Trash Collection Update from the Township Commissioners

Given the ongoing challenges with trash collection, we want to provide residents with an update on the current situation and what to expect going forward. Please know that we have received everyone’s concerns, and Township staff has addressed each of them with the trash service provider.

The Township is required by law to publicly bid its trash contract, and the current contract was awarded in 2021. At that time, Republic Services was the only hauler that submitted a bid, leaving the Township with no other choices for trash service providers. The contract includes a four-year term with two optional one-year extensions. The Township exercised both extension options to help keep costs down for residents.

The current contract is scheduled to expire on December 31, 2026. Because this is a publicly bid contract, the Township cannot make changes to service requirements—such as collection times—mid-contract.

As we approach the end of the current agreement, the Township has begun outreach to other haulers to better understand their expectations and encourage broader participation in the next bid process.

The next step is to issue a Request for Proposals (RFP) that outlines the Township’s service expectations and requirements. Haulers will then submit proposals for consideration. Our goal is to release the RFP by late June or early July, award a contract in the fall, and have a new service provider in place starting January 1, 2027.

As residents ourselves who pay for trash collection service, we too are affected by these delays and are as frustrated as you. We hear your concerns. At this stage, it would only cause more disruption, delays, and increased costs to taxpayers if the Township would attempt to get out of the current contract. Our best course will be to extend our patience for six months until a new trash collection service is in place. In the meantime, we encourage you to keep passing on your concerns, and we will continue to hold the trash service provider accountable if these deficiencies continue.

We understand that recent service disruptions have been frustrating, and we sincerely appreciate your patience as we work to ensure reliable, timely trash collection moving forward.

Questions or concerns?
Please contact Township Manager Zachary Border at [email protected]

06/04/2026

𝐃𝐫𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐠𝐞 𝐈𝐦𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐔𝐩𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬!
JVI Group, is scheduled to begin tree clearing efforts Monday and Tuesday of next week as part of the Township's planned drainage projects. Excavation and installation of stormwater facilities will begin mid-week along Lakeside Drive.

Please expect traffic delays during this time as the work along Lakeside Drive will require flagging and possibly a full closure in the following weeks. The contractor will coordinate with local residents as needed to ensure home access. Thank you for your patience as we work to improve our stormwater systems.

Click the link below for more information about these projects:
https://lowerswatara.org/announcements/drainage-improvement-projects/

05/25/2026

This Memorial Day, Lower Swatara Township honors and remembers the brave men and women who gave their lives in service to our country.

We wish all of our residents a safe and meaningful holiday as we reflect on the sacrifices that made our freedoms possible.

In observance of the holiday, the Township's offices will be closed. We look forward to assisting our local community again tomorrow, May 26th.

05/22/2026

🚨 **Trash Collection Update** 🚨

From Republic: Due to a truck breakdown, trash collection will **not occur today** in the following areas:
• Mountainview Rd
• Brentwood Dr
• Lexington Ave
• Market St. Ext.
• Lakeside Dr

We apologize for the inconvenience. Crews will return tomorrow to complete collections in these neighborhoods.

05/12/2026

𝐔𝐩𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐨𝐧 𝐃𝐫𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐠𝐞 𝐈𝐦𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐣𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐬
The Township’s Contractor (JVI Group, Inc.) plans to start work on June 8th, beginning with the Lakeside Drive Storm Sewer Project.

For more details about these projects, follow the link below:

UPDATE: The Township's Contractor (JVI Group, Inc.) plans to start work on June 8th, beginning with the Lakeside Drive Storm Sewer Project. The Lumber Street

05/12/2026

𝐔𝐩𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐨𝐧 𝐅𝐢𝐝𝐝𝐥𝐞𝐫'𝐬 𝐄𝐥𝐛𝐨𝐰 𝐑𝐨𝐚𝐝 𝐂𝐥𝐨𝐬𝐮𝐫𝐞
Thank you to our residents for your continued patience and understanding as work progresses on the culvert replacement project on Fiddler’s Elbow Road near the intersection of N Union Street.

While the project has experienced some delays, we currently anticipate the road reopening by mid-June.

For construction updates and the current detour map, please visit:

UPDATE: Due to unforeseen delays, this road closure has been extended. We now anticipate Fiddler's Elbow Road will be open by mid-June. Thank you for your

05/04/2026

𝐅𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐥𝐲 𝐑𝐞𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫 𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐏𝐞𝐭 𝐖𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐞 🐶😺
A quick reminder to all residents to please pick up after your pets when you’re out for a walk. It helps keep neighborhoods clean, safe, and enjoyable for everyone.

It's not just a good way to be a responsible pet owner. It also helps to protect our local waterways from pollution!

04/28/2026

📢𝐁𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐀𝐧𝐧𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭
For residents who make their sewer/stormwater payments using ACH (automatic withdrawal from bank), we are currently experiencing a minor issue with the transfer system leading to the payments being delayed.

We anticipate these payments will be processed within the next few days. Should payments not be made on these accounts prior to the beginning of May, you 𝐰𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐧𝐨𝐭 be charged a late fee.

Please feel free to call the Township's offices if you have any questions (717-939-9377 opt 1).

04/22/2026

🌎💚🌿 Wishing all residents a happy Earth Day. Want to get involved? Check out some of the events going on in PA this weekend:
https://events.dcnr.pa.gov/earth-day/calendar

04/09/2026

Republic Services will be operating on a 4-hour delay today due to staff shortages. In the event your trash/recycling is not collected today, they will attempt to complete collections tomorrow.