EAST BUTLER — Borough council plans to meet with officials of Aiken Refuse after the trash collection service billed customers of vacant properties that do not generate trash.

Borough Council President Kevin Hesidenz said during a meeting Monday, Aug. 5, the council is collecting questions and signatures of people who have been billed for vacant properties by Aiken. According to Hesidenz, vacant properties being billed was not an issue before Aiken merged with Serafine Hauling, the borough’s previous trash contractor, in fall 2023.

The borough office has a form people can sign if their property is empty. Hesidenz said people with homes in the borough have to pay their trash bills, even if they burn their trash rather than leave it at the curb.

“They said if we can get this on a page with East Butler borough’s name on it verifying the places have been sitting empty, then I believe they’ll waive the fees,” Hesidenz said. “The only ones we’re looking to get exemption for is vacant lots.”

The borough’s contract with Aiken expires at the end of 2025.

Also at the meeting, council discussed the ongoing organization of an events committee to help plan events at the East Butler Sports Complex. Hesidenz said borough administrators have been planning events and baseball games at the fields throughout the year, including an upcoming car show Sept. 8.

“We’re open to hearing any other ideas, or if anyone is interested in heading up the committee, that would be wonderful,” Williams said.

Hesidenz told a resident at the meeting council would compile information for next month’s meeting on what the borough spent and earned through baseball games played at the field during spring and summer.

Borough council accepted a bid from Voelker Paving to pave portions of four roads in East Butler at a cost of $33,498. Those roads are Sixth and Seventh streets, Oak Alley and Old Grand Avenue.