Addington Highlands to try some waste diversion techniques

Craig Bakay | Jan 26, 2022

“It’s fun just sitting around talking about garbage, isn’t it?” Addington Highlands Dep. Reeve Tony Fritsch said while presenting the Waste Diversion Working Group report at the regular (online) Council meeting Jan. 18.

The report contained a number of ideas that could reduce the volume of materials that end up in Township waste sites, thereby extending the life span of the sites.

The working group consisted of Fritsch, Manager of Roads & Waste Brett Reavie, Reeve Henry Hogg, Coun. Helen Yanch as well as staff member Tanya Rosenblath and waste site attendants Floyd Keller and Glen Kerwin.

“I enjoyed the input from the attendants,” said Yanch.

The report is split into two phases, with Phase One containing ideas that conceivably could be implemented soon and Phase Two for further on down the line such as exploring tipping fees, garbage bag exchange for bringing in recycling and reusable items diversion.

First among the candidates for diversion include textiles, including clothing, footwear and household textiles. A potential partnership with Diabetes Canada exists and bins could be set up at the Kaladar, Mackavoy and Vennachar sites first. This program could be operational by May 1, 2022.

Second is diversion for oil and antifreeze containers. The report listed two companies that can provide this service, which could be operational by May 1.

Then there are approaches to organic waste including implementing a program to subsidize plastic backyard composters and in-home organics dryer-grinder appliances. Costs would be referred to 2022 budget deliberations.

Finally, a pilot project could be explored in 2022 to grind up construction debris and large furniture items. Grinding would likely take place during the fall of 2022. The project would be referred to 2022 budget deliberations.

“We’d like to try some of this out and learn by experience,” said Fritsch.

“What about the re-use idea?” asked Coun. David Miles.

“That’s for future discussion,” Fritsch said. “There’s a lot of effort required.

“There’s other, lower-hanging fruit out there.”

Council passed a resolution to begin projects where they can and refer others to the budget process where required.

Generators for Denbigh

CAO/Clerk-Treasurer Christine Reed reported that the new generators in the Denbigh Community Centre and Northbrook Medical Centre have been installed and working well. She acknowledged the $60,000 contribution from Community Futures for Lennox & Addington in partnership with the Mazinaw Community Fund.

Snow storm road work

On the big snowfall last week, Roads and Waste Manager Brett Reavie said: “It’s been busy the last couple of days.

“Not that there was a lot of traffic but our roads stayed passible for the most part (and) we made it through in pretty good shape except for a few minor truck issues.

Dep. Reeve Tony Fritsch said he figured the road crews did a good job because he didn’t get any comments on how they responded.

Extra Surcharge on already pricey plow

Roads and Waste Manager Brett Reavie said he received an email from Rush Truck Centers that there would be a $5,000 surcharge on a tandem snow plow/sander package plus auto-greaser the township had tendered for $283,338.31.

“In discussion with our sales rep from Rush, we have the option of accepting the $5,000 surcharge or we can not accept and retender,” Reavie said. “Similar trucks that are being tendered currently are $15,000 to $20,000 more than our last tendered truck and the delivery date would change to 2023.

He said there was $300,000 budgeted for the truck and Council voted to accept the surcharge.

“The reason for tendering is to get a fair price but we may have to look elsewhere next time,” said Reeve Henry Hogg.

Year Round DST rejeted

Addington Highlands won’t be supporting South Frontenac’s bid to have Daylight Savings Time all year long, despite Coun. Helen Yanch’s impassioned plea.

“When it’s light, it’s light and when it’s dark, it’s dark,” she said. “Flip-flopping doesn’t make sense. The measure was defeated three votes to two.