IN Peters Township April/May 2016 | Page 15

Taking a Closer Look at Our Environmental Quality Board encouraged! Our EQB members will be there to welcome you, assist with sign-in and provide refreshments and supplies before setting out to clean up designated streets. The PT Great American Clean Up event is scheduled for Saturday, Apr. 23 at 9 a.m. This is an opportunity for residents to help rid the community of unsightly trash and debris that has accumulated along our streets and roadways. The event is not limited to the elimination of roadside litter! Individuals or groups can opt to clean up a stream, a local park or similar public areas. Volunteers should gather at the Peters Township Community Recreation Center in Peterswood Park to get their safety vests and trash bags, and then depart for their assigned (or selected) street areas. There will be coffee, juice and doughnuts for all those who register at the Recreation Center and volunteers will receive a T-shirt as a gift of appreciation. BY NICOLE TAFE Peters Township | April/May 2016 | icmags.com 13 www.peterstownship.com 724.941.4180 that is not limited by visitors walking on the paths over their The Peters Township Environmental Quality Board (EQB) roots. was created in 1982 to help the Township develop policies Each spring, the EQB organizes one of their largest events, and programs aimed at preserving and enhancing the Great American Clean Up Day, and promotes the event within environmental character of Peters Township. The EQB meets the community, organizes volunteers and searches for new ways once a month to discuss current issues facing the township and to make the event a great way for residents to work together to its residents regarding the environmental health of the area beautify the community. This event is part of the larger “Keep and/or sustainability issues. These discussions raise awareness, America Beautiful” campaigneducate community members a collective of programs and and advise the environmental resources to help end littering, conscience of the Township. increase recycling efforts and The EQB is responsible for make America’s communities advising the Peters Township beautiful. Council on all environmental “We would love to see greater quality issues, educating community involvement,” says the community when EQB Chairman Amanda Cribbs. necessary and promoting All Peters Township residents events that focus on the who are interested are welcome health and sustainability of to apply to become a member our environment. Over the of the EQB. The Township years the EQB has worked council appoints the members closely with the Township to a four-year term. There are to improve recycling efforts currently two vacancies on by meeting with Waste the EQB and anyone that is Management representatives, Current Members of the Peters Township EQB interested may submit a letter touring the recycling facility and (left to right): Tom Sierzega, Blaise Hollot, of interest to Mike Silvestri, even creating a short video to Mary Ann Gross, Mandy Cribbs-Chairman, Township Manager. educate residents. Other projects Margaret Sams and Gerry Coscia-Vice Chairman. “We are all stewards of the have included hosting a booth Not pictured: Vince Suneja and Peter Overcashier. environment and take great at the annual Peters Township pride in the community,” says Cribbs. “As a Peters Township Community Day celebration that provides a different focus on native, a three-year member of the EQB and recently appointed the local environment each year. Recently, the EQB has also chairperson, I wanted to continue the tradition of this area surveyed Peters Lake Park to find ways to limit the impact of being a great place to live.” visitors on that ecosystem, as it is important to preserve the area as a safe passive recreation area but also allow for tree growth P E TE RS TOWN SHI P N E WS Peters Township is proud to be a participant in Pennsylvania’s Great American Clean Up efforts connected to the “Keep America Beautiful” campaign. Through the PA GACU, we receive supplies (plastic bags and gloves) and are issued an ID number that enables us to take the collected trash to a designated landfill at no cost. The Environmental Quality Board (EQB) is asking residents and groups to seriously consider volunteering to help clean up our community this year. Groups old and new are welcome and Peters Township PT Great American Clean Up: Apr. 23