The Autryville Board of Commissioners is to be commended for their prudent and deliberate recycling decision.

It is one, perhaps, residents thought was taking far too long. In fact, we thought the board members were dragging their feet just a bit, given that the new recycling law, regarding plastics, went into effect Oct. 1.

However, their decision last week just goes to prove that sometimes it’s best to slow down, research all the options available and then make a decision that will be in the best interest of those the board represents.

That’s exactly what the Autryville board did last week when, after much research and deliberation, members voted to contract with Pratt Industries.

It is a move that won’t mean additional money out of the wallets of residents and, in fact, could mean a little extra cash in the town’s coffers.

Residents should be appreciative of the town board’s efforts to develop a recycling pact that will cost virtually nothing except the expense of having their own maintenance worker deliver the recyclables to Pratt once a month.

What’s more, the recycling will be convenient for residents. There’ll be no need for citizens to separate their recyclables, only the recyclables from regular garbage, which many were already doing.

The town will also send out letters showing residents how to discern what Pratt will accept and what will need to be taken to the county’s landfill. In essence, the Cumberland County industry will take most of what residents would have on a normal basis, like mixed paper, newspaper, cardboard, glass jars, bottles, aluminum cans, plastic containers, milk cartons and juice cartons.

In every way, the town board’s slow and deliberate decision-making has proved beneficial to its residents, including opting to wait until March to put the new recycling plan into place.

By their actions, the board has saved residents money, found a viable recycling option and given residents time enough to get used to the new program they will have to adhere to.

We congratulate the town board on their wise and prudent move, both which showed they have the town and its residents’ best interest at heart, as all governing boards should.