by Connie Tabbert
Editor
COBDEN — More help is required at the landfill site if the manager’s time is to be put to doing more valuable things in the township.
The discussion came up during last week’s environmental services committee meeting. Late last year, it became apparent the landfill was not meeting the Ministry of Environment (MOE) direction of having someone at the landfill site when it is opened. Manager Steve Hodson changed the schedule with him working by himself on Saturday.
He said it’s not so bad in the winter, but the landfill site does get busier in the spring summer and fall, with upwards of 300 vehicles in the summer.
During last week’s meeting Mr. Hodson said Robin Burski works Monday through Friday and he works Tuesday through Saturday.
“There are numerous (times) through the week there is just one person there,” he said. “I have no issue working by myself on Saturday.”
He suggested one solution is to hire a part-time person.
Councillor Charlene Jackson questioned the financial implications if a part-time/full-time person was hired.
Mr. Hodson reviewed a scenario where if he were to work Monday through Friday, Mr. Burski would be Tuesday to Saturday and hire a part-time for Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.
Coun. Jackson said there are still many unanswered questions, such as approximate cost, hourly rate, where it fits on the salary grid and how much benefits would cost.
Councillor Cathy Regier questioned if it’s necessary to be open six days a week, suggesting five days may suffice.
Mr. Hodson said residential curb-side pick-up is Monday through Thursday and then there are those who have keys to the site, such as public works, the County of Renfrew and the Ministry of Transportation of Ontario.
“There is garbage going into that site six days a week, therefore, you have to have cover six days a week,” he explained.
In order to close the landfill on another day, which would make sense to be Monday, the curbside collection schedule would have to change, he said.
Coun. Regier suggested the locks be changed and no accepting garbage on Monday. She questioned if the curbside collection schedule could be changed. She noted now is the time to change the schedule since a new hauler is starting.
Coun. Jackson questioned if there is room in the curbside garbage collection contract that the schedule could change without paying extra.
Mr. Hodson said Andrew Shouldice of Beaumen’s said they were going to review the schedule in a year’s time to see if there is a way of streamlining the curbside garbage and recycling pick-ups.
However, he admitted, right now is not the best time to change the schedule since they are just entering the new contract period.
Reeve Terry Millar and Mayor Hal Johnson supported Mr. Hodson in hiring a part-time person.
“It’s not acceptable that a department head is physically working on the weekend,” Mayor Hal Johnson said. “It’s not his place for the most value to the township. His place is administration, not covering garbage.”
Chief Administrative Officer Christine Fitzsimons noted there are three senior managers, Mr. Hodson, Doug Schultz and Bill Misener, “who have one foot in the truck and one foot in the office and they’re doing the splits trying to make this all work. They are active managers who are in the field and who have increasing desk duties and it’s a real challenge, I know they don’t complain, but it’s a pressure that is ramping up as the paperwork increases.”
Mr. Hodson is the only manager without an assistant, Mayor Johnson noted. However, Ms. FitzSimons and Mr. Hodson agreed that deputy-clerk Hope Dillabough does offer support when she can.
Coun. Jackson suggested Mr. Hodson come back with two options. The first is to hire a part-timer to work Monday, Wednesday and Saturday, determining how much it would cost with hours and benefits and the second option being hiring a full-time staff person.
“If we could have those two options available to us, I think we’ll be able to make a better decision at budget time,” she said.
Coun. Regier questioned the liability of the township with a staff person working alone at the landfill site.
“People should not be working alone, is that correct,” she questioned. “And, does the municipality have some kind of responsibility here if an employee at that landfill be injured.”
Mr. Hodson said that’s why he is working alone on Saturday, which is the busiest day. If a part-time person were hired, Wednesday and Saturday could be covered with two people.
He further noted he would need time away from the landfill site to complete paperwork, not only for the landfill site but the water and wastewater treatment plants, since those are in his department as well, although the company hired does do most of the work related to those plants.
Councillor Daryl McLaughlin, who is chair of this committee, said this issue arose because he went to the landfill on a Saturday and Mr. Hodson was working by himself.
“I personally have to agree with what Councillor Regier first said, is that I think we need to run it efficiently,” he said. “I don’t see a reason why it needs to be open on Monday.
“I personally think the locks could be changed and we could then not accept waste on Mondays, change our curbside collection. I realize it’s growing pains, there’s no doubt about it.
“We’re starting with a new hauler right now, so if we’re going to change things, maybe now and then at that point go back to the way it was when it was two people and there’s no extra costs.
“It’s the costs that bother me as well as what Councillor Regier is saying that the safety aspect really has to be looked at.
“I don’t think we can carry on the way we’re going,” he said. “Maybe what Councillor Jackson has said, to bring those issues forward, but also it needs to be thought of. Just have it open Tuesday to Saturday and change the locks. I don’t see why haulers need to have keys.”
Coun. Jackson agreed, but she was concerned if there is room for changes to regards to days of operation.
But, she further noted, “Steve needs to be at the office.”
It’s not just short-handed now, but what happens with vacations, sick days or when Mr. Hodson attends a conference or workshop, she noted.
“We still need that extra person,” Coun. Jackson said.
Ms. FitzSimons suggested staff “brainstorm” and bring a report to the next committee meeting.
“Let’s leave Steve to take time to mull over the situation and come back with all the variations and financial impact,” she said.
Mayor Johnson said it’s time to “gear-up.” Mr. Hodson is not only involved with the waste department, but the water treatment plants and has responsibility for the accessibility of the municipal buildings, along with chief building official Doug Schultz.
“He shouldn’t be running an excavator,” Mayor Johnson said. “We need to get a part-time person for him.”
It was agreed Mr. Hodson will provide a report with financial information pertinent to hiring part-time/full time staff as well as any implications to changing the curbside pick-up schedule.
