Board reopens facilities debate over hand dryers after Mill Hall borough raises sewer complaints
May 04, 2025 | Keystone Central SD, School Districts, Pennsylvania
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Board members discussed a recurring sewer‑line problem tied to paper product and wipe disposal at the Ben High School facility during the Keystone Central School District work session on May 1, and some members proposed installing electric hand dryers as a corrective step; others urged investigation before spending district funds.
Background and complaint: Board member Jeff May and others said Mill Hall borough representatives have reported repeated sewer blockages that borough staff associate with paper towels, “handy wipes” and grease flushed into the district’s lines. May said borough officials requested solutions and that facilities staff proposed a fix likely to resolve the problem at relatively low cost. “We had 3 representatives from Mill Hall here asking for support for their community pool,” May said, and he described the borough’s cooperation and use of district fields.
Arguments for hand dryers: Proponents said switching to hand dryers would eliminate a source of paper waste and reduce the material entering sewer lines. May argued hand dryers would save on paper‑towel purchases and reduce landfill waste.
Arguments for investigation and caution: Several board members, including Elizabeth, opposed immediate installation without determining why the problem began. She said borough staff told her the blockages had started about five years ago and urged steps to identify what changed before committing district funds. Another board member cited academic and public‑health sources claiming hand dryers can spread bacteria; that member offered to provide literature from institutions including the Cleveland Clinic and CDC and requested copies for the record.
Facilities committee and next steps: The facilities committee had previously discussed the matter and put it back before the full board for consideration; the board did not approve an installation at the work session. Members asked facilities staff and borough representatives to pursue camera inspection of the district sewer lines and to return with a technical assessment and cost estimate. The item remains under discussion and no purchasing action was authorized during the session.
Background and complaint: Board member Jeff May and others said Mill Hall borough representatives have reported repeated sewer blockages that borough staff associate with paper towels, “handy wipes” and grease flushed into the district’s lines. May said borough officials requested solutions and that facilities staff proposed a fix likely to resolve the problem at relatively low cost. “We had 3 representatives from Mill Hall here asking for support for their community pool,” May said, and he described the borough’s cooperation and use of district fields.
Arguments for hand dryers: Proponents said switching to hand dryers would eliminate a source of paper waste and reduce the material entering sewer lines. May argued hand dryers would save on paper‑towel purchases and reduce landfill waste.
Arguments for investigation and caution: Several board members, including Elizabeth, opposed immediate installation without determining why the problem began. She said borough staff told her the blockages had started about five years ago and urged steps to identify what changed before committing district funds. Another board member cited academic and public‑health sources claiming hand dryers can spread bacteria; that member offered to provide literature from institutions including the Cleveland Clinic and CDC and requested copies for the record.
Facilities committee and next steps: The facilities committee had previously discussed the matter and put it back before the full board for consideration; the board did not approve an installation at the work session. Members asked facilities staff and borough representatives to pursue camera inspection of the district sewer lines and to return with a technical assessment and cost estimate. The item remains under discussion and no purchasing action was authorized during the session.
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