Health - Bristol Borough

Council Addresses Delayed Trash Pickups

Published

4 years ago

September 14, 2021

Bristol Borough officials, responding to resident frustrations about J.P Mascaro & Sons garbage pickups addressed the issue, after the hauler cancelled Friday garbage pickups.

Borough officials noted their own sense of frustration with garbage removal pointing to the garbage piling up outside homes and businesses is an eyesore when trying to attract visitors to come to borough events.

Council members also addressed “rumors” related to the recent garbage contract renewal with “Mascaro.”

“Trash has been a total nightmare in this town. Were at a point now where residents are unhappy, council’s been unhappy and we’re doing everything we can to try and get this resolved,” Council President Ralph DiGuiseppe, said.

He went on to explain this isn’t just a Bristol Borough thing. If you look around, the eastern part of state and even New Jersey is experiencing problems with trash pickups.

Northampton, Newtown, New Hope, no matter where you go, there’s a trash problem, DiGuiseppe, said

The council president said he called Mascaro on Friday because even he “was feed up,” when he heard they weren’t picking up trash on Friday as scheduled.

Mascaro told the borough they are working on it and hope to be back on their regular pickup schedule “soon” According to DiGuiseppe, the garbage hauler said they will be working Saturday and Sunday we will clean this town up, said the company.

“They know there is a problem. They know we’re unhappy,” he said.

DiGuiseppe also took time to explain the recent contract extension and to “clear up a couple of things”

“We did not give Mascaro an extra couple million dollars,” he said. Explaining further, this year ends the original five-year contract. We exercised our option for two more years. If we didn’t exercise that option when we did, they would not want that contract right now. Because they can’t find the help. And they would never be obligated to fulfill that contract.”

Trash prices after the contract runs its course will be astronomically high, he said.

They are not getting extra money. Its the same deal, just extended for the extra years, DiGuiseppe said.

If we were out to bid right now, he said, you could add 30% or 40% to the contract price. Extending the deal, when we did, is the best thing we could of done at the time, he said

Last year, the trash hauler and borough agreed to a contract extension that would pay the Montgomery County based company upfront but lock in a rate of $115 per property for years 2021, 2022, and 2023. The thinking was the deal would lock in rates for the municipality, instead of price increases and provide an influx of cash for hiring efforts by trash pickup service.

“We still pay them handsomely and we expect service” said councilman Gregg Pezza.

We are all equally frustrated” Pezza said, pointing to issues in the labor market for “businesses”across all areas.

The trash hauler is expected to resume regular pick up service this morning, with borough officials continuing to monitor the situation.

Related Topics:Bristol Borough Council J.P Mascaro & Sons Trash Pickup Issues

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1 Comment

Maryann wrston

September 14, 2021 at 10:48 pm

Why am I paying $355 per unit if Mascaro’s fee to the borough is $155 per house? Where is rest of the money going? If you own a property with 2 units the cost is $710. The borough charges per unit ,not per house.

Reply

Health - Bensalem Township

Tackle Spring Break Travel Prep with GIANT Pharmacists

Published

6 hours ago

March 5, 2026

Jeff Bohen

After a long winter, many people are now looking ahead to spring break travel. Whether your plans have you headed to the beach or traveling abroad, GIANT and MARTIN’S pharmacists are available as a resource with pre-travel health consultations and over-the-counter product suggestions.

“The same way you may enlist the expertise of a travel agent when booking your vacation, your local GIANT or MARTIN’S pharmacist also has a wealth of knowledge when it comes to ensuring you have the right vaccinations or health essentials ahead of your trip,” said Nick Koch, director of pharmacy and wellbeing, The GIANT Company. “From pre-health travel consultations to offering recommendations for the best sunscreens and first aid basics, don’t overlook the value that our team of pharmacists can bring to your vacation preparations.”

If your spring break plans have you traveling aboard, GIANT and MARTIN’S pharmacists can also get you adventure ready with a pre-travel health consultation approximately as soon as travel dates are confirmed and a minimum of one month before you leave. This includes vaccines, prescription referrals, and over-the-counter medications.

Vaccines^* include but are not limited to yellow fever vaccine (available at select locations), typhoid vaccine and cholera vaccine. Prescription referrals include malaria prevention, traveler’s diarrhea prevention and care, motion sickness prevention and altitude sickness prevention. For more information or to schedule an appointment, visit https://giantfoodstores.com/pages/pharmacy-services.

GIANT and MARTIN’S pharmacists advise that any prescription medication should always be packed in one’s carry-on bag, never in checked luggage, and preferably in the original container with the prescription label affixed. Be sure to bring enough for your trip as well as extra should there be any travel delays.

Travelers are also encouraged to pack a small first aid kit for on-the-go use. This should include bandages of various sizes, gauze pads, antibiotic ointment, hydrocortisone cream, tweezers and a thermometer. Be sure to add over the counter pain relievers, antacids, decongestants, hand sanitizers and antibacterial wipes, too. Additional items may be needed based on one’s destination and weather.

Health - Bensalem Township

Still Winter: NWS Issues Tuesday Morning Winter Weather Advisory

Published

3 days ago

March 2, 2026

staff

March “comes in as lion” to the Lower Bucks area as the National Weather Service (NWS) issued a winter weather advisory for Tuesday morning forecasting a mixed precipitation event making for possibly slippery road conditions.

The advisory is in effect from 5 a.m. until 11 a.m. Tuesday, March 3.

NWS says total snow accumulations less than one inch and ice accumulations around a light glaze in portions of southeast Pennsylvania and central, northern, and northwest New Jersey.

The hazardous conditions could impact the Tuesday morning commute, officials say, and motorists should plan on slippery road conditions. Motorists are reminded to slow down and use caution while traveling.

Health - Bensalem Township

Bucks Issues “Code Blue” Until March 3rd Due to Forecasted Bitter Cold

Published

4 days ago

March 1, 2026

staff

Bucks County has issued a “Code Blue” declaration as bitter cold is set to return for the start of March.

Shelters in Upper, Central and Lower Bucks will be in operation nightly Sunday through Tuesday morning.

The following shelters have been activated for this Code Blue event:

Lower Bucks – ahtn.org
(3/1)
Calvary Baptist Church – Gym
250 Green Lane
Bristol, PA 19007
www.calvarybristol.org

(3/2)
Morrisville Presbyterian Church
771 N. Pennsylvania Ave.
Morrisville, PA 19067
www.mpcusa.org

Please note the Lower Bucks shelter location changes Monday evening to Morrisville Presbyterian Church.

Guests are required to leave the shelters by 6:45 a.m. each day and may return in the evening

Upper Bucks – facebook.com/upperbuckscodeblue
Quakertown Masonic Lodge – First Floor
501 W. Broad Street
Quakertown, PA 18951

Central Bucks – co2ssh.org
St. Paul’s Lutheran Church
301 N. Main Street
Doylestown, PA 18901
www.doylestownlutheran.org

Guests are required to leave the shelters by 6:45 a.m. each day and may return in the evening.

The Upper and Lower Bucks shelters will open at 8:30 p.m. The Central Bucks shelter opens at 7:30 p.m.

The county issues a “Code Blue” declaration when temperatures are forecast to drop below 20 degrees for two or more consecutive days. A “Code Blue” may be called amid higher temperatures, as consideration is also given to wind chill, precipitation and other circumstances.

Information about “Code Blue” openings is available Monday – Friday through the County’s Housing Link Helpline at 1-800-810-4434.