Central Frontenac Council - Feb 9/16

Julie Druker | Feb 10, 2016

CF Council says no to two waste site recommendations

Public Works Manager John Badgley made his second recommendation to council to consider implementing a $1 tipping fee on large plastic items at the township's waste sites. He also recommended that site attendants use their discretion regarding fees to charge on smaller plastic items, which Badgley defined as those too big to fit in a township bag. Badgley made the request following a meeting of the township's waste management committee on January 27.

“With our waste sites filling up, we need to look at ways to divert these products since they are piling up and taking up too much space. Whatever the solution ends up being in dealing with these items in the future, whether it be diverting them or grinding them down, this fee would help offset the costs of whatever option we choose,” Badgley said.

Councilor Tom Dewey would not hear of it.

“I am totally against this. This is an added tax that we should not be passing on to our residents”, he said. “I gave you some information about purchasing a grinder and I think we should look at talking to our neighbouring municipalities about partnering in that, and if the oil prices go back up, I think there will be a market for this kind of material.”

Councilor Bill MacDonald asked about the costs of renting or owning a grinder, which Badgley said could range anywhere from $250,000 used to $500,000 new.

Dewey, who has been looking into pricing grinders, said that a smaller $50,000 grinder might be able to do the job. Councilor MacDonald suggested contacting the operators of the Richmond landfill site just north of Napanee.

“They must be doing something with their plastics and there is no sense in reinventing the wheel here. Perhaps there is a private contractor who could do the grinding for us.”

Mayor Frances Smith wondered about the logistics of site attendants having to deal with the cash fees. Councilor Dewey objected further, saying that a fee could result in residents littering the township with these items.

Councilor Jamie Riddell agreed with Dewey, saying he did not agree with a tipping fee and that the items would end up on the roadways and in the ditches. After Mayor Smith read the motion, Councilor Dewey called for a recorded vote on the motion, which in the end was defeated 7 -1, with Councilor Bill MacDonald as the odd man out. Councilor Philip Smith was not present at the meeting.

Council says no to ending free amnesty load program

In his second recommendation to council, Badgley asked council to consider opening up the discussion regarding ending the annual amnesty load program. The program allows residents to get rid of one load of waste for free at certain designated times each year. Badgley said the free load is one of the reasons that the sites are “filling up faster than previously anticipated. “We need to be responsible waste site operators and need to divert, grind, or find other ways to reduce our waste and no longer allow the free disposal of items.”

He said that residents need to consider either donating or re-purposing these items. In his report Badgley said that Wemp site is scheduled to be at capacity in four years and Olden in 12. Councilor MacDonald asked Badgley to look at a township of a similar size that has no landfill site and find what they spend annually to dispose of their garbage.

“If in the future we did not have a landfill site, I'm thinking that we're looking at spending $1 million a year.”

Councilor Dewey brought up the fact that a 2011 study of the expected life of the township's waste sites should be extended since recycling has much lessened the loads. He added that education is needed to make sure residents always recycle. Councilor Jamie Riddell credited the township's waste site attendants for doing a good job in recycling materials and said that canceling the amnesty program is “not the way to go.”

Mayor Frances Smith said she feels that perhaps the volume coming in during the program with just one or two attendants on site means they are not able to do what needs to be done. “For the program to continue maybe we have to make sure there are more staff working on those days.”

Councilor Dewey said that Central Frontenac should consider what Durham Township has done, use incineration.

“We need to get every one together here in the county and maybe in Kingston on board with this and to partner together and get an a incinerator set up”.

Councilor Brent Cameron agreed. “Whether we cancel this program or not, the fact is that more and more people are moving here, bringing more garbage, and at the end of the day the Province of Ontario has not allowed a new landfill to open for decades now.” Council received Badgley's recommendation for information.
Council adopts compressed work week for township admin staff

Beginning March 13, 2016 and ending November 19, 2016 council endorsed the recommendations put forth by the Human Resources committee, approving a compressed work week for the township's admin staff. Clerk Cathy MacMunn reported that a successful trial run last year showed the compressed work week proved doable, with admin staff choosing to opt for Fridays as their day off. The staff will continue working their regular 35-hour work week and will make up for the missed Fridays by working longer hours on the other days.

Council adopts Injury/Illness and Head Injury/Concussion policy

In accordance with the Occupational Health and Safety Act and Work Place Safety and Insurance Act, council adopted the Injury/Illness policy after the Health and Safety committee reviewed it and recommended that it be adopted. Council also adopted the recommended Head Injury/Concussion policy as a way to ensure the safety of all participants in the various programs and activities run by the township, which include baseball, soccer and a summer swim program. The policy, which will be promoted by all of the township's recreation committees and associations, aims to assist in training adults running the programs to identify the signs, symptoms and behaviors of a concussion and other serious injuries.

Olden waste sites time changes in effect

As of February 1, 2016 the Olden waste site will be closed Mondays and Tuesday and open the remainder of the week, with no changes in the hours of operation on those days.