WHITEWATER REGION (Cobden) — The many changes concerning the curb side services of Whitewater Region has been a topic of conversation for many. Last night, the Environmental Services Committee recommend the Council of the Township of Whitewater Region approve changes to the Waste Management Program, to be effective on January 1, 2020.
The changes recommended are to permit residents to place two bags of garbage for weekly curb side pickup, yellow bags not required. Any additional bags to be placed at curb side must be the purchased Whitewater Region yellow bags. Residents will see an increase to the cost of the yellow bag from three dollars to five dollars. Distributors will see an increase to the cost of the yellow bag from two dollars and 75 cents to four dollars and 50 cents. A waste collection fee of $140 will be placed on all residential units, industrial, commercial, and institutional (ICI) units. Multi-use units will see a fee of $140 per unit as proposed by Mayor Moore, which is a decrease from the originally proposed $175 per unit.
A Waste Management Fee will provide funding for a variety of items, such as a curb side recycle collection contract. It will also pay for the Ottawa Valley Waste Recovery Centre (OVWRC) processing fees, a curb side garbage collection contract, the management of programs and capital investment.
“Both the method of collecting revenues and the collection contract system remain ‘as is’ with no program changes,” said Janet Collins, asset management coordinator, while providing the first alternative to Council. “Although the program itself will not see any changes, operating costs will increase due to cost of living and contract costs. This alternative will require the 2020 operating budget be increased by approximately $293,856.”
Mrs. Collins also stated the curb side collection contractor, Miller, indicated the existing program has very low utilization. The existing garbage collection program requires residents to purchase yellow bags for curb side collection at three dollars per bag. Those who choose to attend the landfill site (LFS) pay three dollars per bag, to a maximum of five bags. After five bags is when individual bags stop being charged and bulk tipping fees are applied.
Current rates suggest 55 per cent of residents are going to the landfill site on Wednesday’s and Saturday’s, but are only depositing one to a maximum of three bags in their weekly trip. Reeve Cathy Regier said she sees the landfill on Saturday’s as a social gathering and thinks the increase in cost will help to discourage unnecessary use and reduce traffic.
A second alternative was suggested, which is said to increase the use of curb side collection and reduce landfill site trips. It will also eliminate the yellow bag as a requirement for curb side collection. Instead, according to Mrs.Collins, residents would be permitted to place two garbage bags at curb side free of charge. Bags of any colour would be permitted but would be limited to a maximum weight size. If a resident would require additional bags, they would be able to purchase a yellow bag to place in addition to their two bags.
An increase from three dollars to five dollars for additional yellow bags was then suggested. This increase for residents will also see an increase for suppliers, both in cost and in profit.
Businesses in Whitewater Region are currently able purchase bags from the Township at a cost of two dollars and 75 cents per bag and sell them for three dollars per bag. This provides the businesses with a profit of 25 cents per bag sold.
It is assumed by the committee that sales will decrease significantly and existing distributors will be asked if they wish to continue to sell the bags. Businesses who currently purchase bags from the Township are Kenny’s Store in Westmeath, Freshmart in Cobden, J.R.’s Country Store in Foresters Falls, Beachburg Deli and Bakery, Freshmart in Beachburg, I.D.A. Beach-West Pharmacy in Beachburg, Mullin’s Esso Service Station and Variety in Pembroke, Annie’s Gas Bar and Variety in Foresters Falls and Olmstead’s Home Hardware Building Centre in Cobden.
Landfill site tipping fee losses are estimated to be just over $73 thousand. The landfill site sees approximately 125 users on Wednesday and another 300 on Saturday. A total of 234 users bring in an average of two bags each per week.
“In addition to the loss of revenue, increased contract costs must be included,” said Mrs. Collins. “The potential effect on the tax levy, unless other sources of income are found, would be an overall increase of 8.86 per cent.”
The third alternative presented to Council was similar to the second in which yellow bags are eliminated, however a waste collection fee would be levied against all units. The committee states several neighbouring municipalities charge a similar fee. These municipalities include, but are not limited to, Arnprior with a $145 fee; Laurentian Valley with a $175 fee; Mississippi Mills with a $252 fee; McNab-Braeside with a residential fee of $180, a cottage fee of $135, a landfill fee of $40 or a commercial fee for $330; with the fees in all municipalities being an annual charge.
If an ICI establishment demonstrates, to the Township’s satisfaction, they have secured alternate garbage collection services, the Township may reduce the charge by 25 per cent. This would require Township to be provided with a copy of a contract with a reputable contractor. There will be no cost reduction for unoccupied units. An ICI is qualified as a church, senior citizen home or residence, campground or seasonal camping, or a school.
The existing recycle collection program allows all residential units and ICI units to place as much recycling at the curb side as they wish. This is providing it is placed in accordance with collection practices, such as being sorted by accepted material and in appropriate containers.
In attendance were Councillors Charlene Jackson, Neil Nicholson, Dave MacKay and Daryl McLaughlin, along with Reeve Regier and Mayor Moore. All persons agreed this decision will cause an upset amongst the ratepayers, other community members and local businesses. They also agreed it was necessary, as they are no longer able to get rates on par with Bowman’s service contract.
The motion was carried, being moved by Councillor Jackson and seconded by Mayor Moore. The committee is now set to bring forth an updated waste management by-law for the consideration of Council. They also are to include the waste collection fee in the fees and charges by-law and institute a start-up date of January 1, 2020. The Township will provide the public with notification of the change.
