Feature Article February 19, 2004
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Addington Highlands brings in bag tag increase Feb. 16, 2004
At its meeting in Denbigh on Monday night, in a 4-1 vote, Addington Highlands Council decided to increase bag tag fees to $2, effective July 1, 2004. Councilor Grant cast the dissenting vote.
Council has been deliberating the issue for a long time, and one month ago had rejected the increase in a 3-2 vote. Since then, the Waste Management Committee continued looking into the matter, and had since met with North Frontenac.
Reeve Hook said it was imperative that Council make a decision on the fees, as notices would have to be sent out with the tax bills. Deputy Reeve Berger said that it would be wrong not to bring in the increase. She pointed out that taxpayers would be paying for waste management in any case, whether now, through bag tag fees, or in the future through having to pay for dump closures.
Councilor Scott was concerned that the public be informed as to why the decision had to be made. She stressed that although ratepayers think that dumps have lots of space, that is not the case, and the dwindling life expectancy of AHs dumps makes reducing garbage of the highest priority.
Reeve Hook reiterated that although AHs fees are now higher than those of neighbouring townships, the policy of exchanging free bag tags for recyclables means that most people will not pay more than they are now.
A member of the audience asked about enforcement, expressing concern that more garbage would be thrown into ditches. Reeve Hook replied that the penalties, which are strictly enforced, are a deterrent, and there has been no evidence of increased littering because of bag tag fees.
Cloyne & District Historical Society: Marg Axford of the Cloyne & District Historical Society brought a request to Council for $500. She said that although volunteers can do a certain amount of the work, the preservation of local history is really the responsibility of the entire community. Ms. Axford had made a similar presentation to North Frontenac Council last week, and AH Council followed North Frontenacs lead in approving the request in principle and referring it to budget deliberations.
Dog/Cat By-Law: Following a by-law change limiting the number of dogs and cats AH residents can keep in defined hamlets, an enquiry was received from a Kaladar resident who has 6 dogs. In pre-existing situations like this, anyone who has more than the limit of animals may keep them, but cannot replace them if they are given away or sold, or should die.
Street Clearing in Northbrook: A petition signed by 24 residents of Pine Grove Apartments was sent to council, asking for the clearing of snow from the sidewalks, as they are forced to walk on Highway 41. The township does not maintain the sidewalks in any of the villages, and it was argued it would have to do it for all if they did it for one. The request was turned down.
Chip Wagon operation: A request by Wayne Ozen, Abinger, that council revisit an earlier decision not to issue a letter of compliance to permit the operation of his chip wagon was refused. Council basically said the matter was between Mr. Ozen and MTO
ATV bylaw: In response to a letter about the ATV bylaw, Councilor Grant said he is prepared to bring forward a motion at the next council meeting to pass a bylaw allowing ATVs on township roads, provided they conform to the law.
Hydro Outages: Bill Brown reported that he has not received any satisfactory answers to his questions about hydro outages. Nevertheless, he feels that calling Hydro One to account has had definite beneficial effects - despite high winds, there have been no outages for the last few months.
Septic Haulage: There was much discussion about the fact that Addington Highlands has no facility for dumping septic haulage, and the situation will become critical within a few years. Presently septic haulers have their own lagoons. The Ministry of Environment says these must be closed down, but have not brought forward any alternatives. AH Council strongly feels that all the townships must get together to start finding solutions now.
Some funding is available to townships through the Municipal Infrastructure Program. This program will provide two-thirds of the funding for a project of a townships choosing; however, it is a one-time grant. Reeve Hook said that AH township could choose to use the funds in many different ways, such as to close dumps, but that it is a priority to use the money for the septic haulage problem. Council will contact the surrounding townships with regards to the septic haulage issue.
