BROOMALL–Last month, Haverford Township officials decided to axe the joint compost program with Marple Township due to the ongoing odor issues that the compost pile, located in Haverford Township, has created for its neighbors.

After several months of debating the pros and cons of terminating the joint compost program, Haverford Township Manager Larry Gentile stated in a March meeting, “We will not be in the composting business anymore."

However, Marple Township officials may be rekindling the joint compost program with Haverford. According to Marple Township Manager Anthony Hamaday, the township is currently exploring other options for the joint compost program.

"We're looking at a lot of options right now," shared Hamaday after a commissioners work session meeting on Monday night.

Hamaday said both townships have invested in the program as a capital investment to fund other areas. Officials have previously stated the joint compost program pays for the shared brine program between Marple and Haverford, which is an alternative and cost-effective way to salt icy roads.

"It would be a shame for the [joint compost] program not to continue," said Hamaday. "Hopefully we [with Haverford Township] can work together and find another alternative."

Hamaday assured the township will continue to collect the leaves. The leaves will be deposited in Haverford's waste yard and will then immediately transfer the leaves to the Delaware County Disposal Yard on Highland Avenue in Chester.

At a meeting in February, Marple Public Works Director Ed Cross stated the township collects approximately 2,000 tons of leaves at a rate of about $30 per ton to the county which costs about $60,000 a year, including fuel and manpower.