Addington Highlands Changing To Bag Tags From Logo Garbage Bags

Craig Bakay | May 24, 2023

Addington Highlands Council accepted the recommendation of its Waste Management/Diversion Working Group to transition to bag tags from logo bags at its regular meeting May 16 in Denbigh.

Dep. Reeve Tony Fritsch, who also chairs the waste working group, said that the move will save the Township about $14,000 annually.

“The Township buys about 75,000 bags annually,” he said. “That costs $16,875 or $0.23 per bag.

“The tags cost about $0.04 per tag or about $2,800 annually, meaning we will save about 73-74 per cent annually.”

He said residents will still be compensated for bringing bags of metal/plastic recycling but now they will get a bag tag instead of a clear plastic logo bag.

He said that the new bag tag process should be ready to go by Sept. 1, 2023 and tags will cost $2 each.

“We have to use up our stock of logo bags before we start issuing tags,” he said. “But if residents have a stockpile of logo bags, they can continue to use them until they’ve used all they have.

“There’s no time limit on them.”

Coun. Helen Yanch pointed out that while the Township may be saving money on the plan, that won’t translate directly for ratepayers as residents will have to buy their own bags.

“I’m not really sold on the idea,” Yanch said. “And I’ve had emails from people saying they’re fine with the way things are.

“Residents will still have to find and buy bags.”

CAO/Clerk-Treasurer Christine Reed said they Township has had complaints about the logo bags with residents saying the bags don’t fit their containers.

When the transitioning is complete, residents will have to provide clear (or relatively clear) plastic bags 25” X 36” for their garbage. In the case where something won’t fit in that size bag, larger bags can be used but will require two bag tags.

Yanch was the lone ‘no’ vote on recommendation,

Dusty Roads

When Coun. Ken Hook reported he’d received calls about dusty roads, CAO/Clerk-Treasurer Christine Reed said while there are plans to put calcium chloride down on Township roads, it can’t be done just yet because of ministry regulations pertaining to turtles and their eggs at certain times of the year.

Council Meeting T

Beginning with the July 4 meeting, all Addington Highlands meetings will be at 1 p.m., and alternate between Flinton and Denbigh.

Coun. Ken Hook argued that any financial implications of having staff stay late should be a major factor but Dep. Reeve Tony Fritsch responded that staff don’t get overtime, rather being compensated with time off in lieu.

Fritsch said that while he favoured winter meetings being in the day time, he tried to propose some hybrid blend of day and evening meetings during the summer for both Flinton and Denbigh.

Coun. Helen Yanch said she favoured all meetings being at the same time as did Coun. Kirby Thompson.

“People can get mixed up as to when meetings are,” he said. “And sometimes staff may have to put in 18 hours — that’s a long day.”

Council was in agreement that not many people show up to Council meetings anyways and that the decision to leave meetings up on YouTube for a year was a good one as viewership numbers are quite strong.

Fritsch was that lone vote against all meetings being at 1 p.m.

ATVs VS Snowmobiles

Dep. Reeve Tony Fritsch noted that there was “quite the debate” at a recent meeting of the Eastern Ontario Trails Alliance meeting.

“ATVs and snowmobiles are deeply divided,” Fritsch said. “I hope they can find a way to work together.”

Age Friendly Community

Council approved the creation of a steering committee and announced they are seeking interested community members to participate in said committee to identify community stakeholders and investigate steps required to become an age friendly community. They are looking for two community members from each ward.

Flinton Road

Construction work has begun on Flinton Road and will continue all summer. Ditching on Hartsmere Road is progressing but was put on hold until culvert washout repairs on Ashby Lake Road could be completed. Load restrictions on area roads were lifted May. 8