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Home My WebLink AboutThe Citizen, 2017-05-04, Page 22THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, MAY 4, 2017. PAGE 23. North Huron votes to retain weekly waste collection By Denny Scott The Citizen North Huron Township Council has directed staff to continue with weekly garbage collection in urban areas for now. During council's Monday night meeting, a motion to have Director of Public Works Jeff Molenhuis formalize contract terms with Waste Management of Canada for weekly garbage and recycling collection in urban areas and bi-weekly collection in rural areas was approved, however no members of council seemed convinced the move was a long-term solution. Councillor Trevor Seip, who did not vote in favour of the motion, said he didn't agree with the move. "I have a feeling that this is a decision that, if this council decides to pass it, is the easiest decision, not the decision we should all be thinking about." Seip said council had a chance to address perceived high tax rates by cutting the collection schedule in half. He went on to say council's priorities didn't make sense because councillors had a chance to save money and were ignoring it. "We, as North Huron Council, need to make serious service level changes if we want to become self - sustainable," he said. "We can't continue paying for this level of service for every service we've ever had. If we do, something's going to give." Deputy -Reeve James Campbell said he had received many phone calls on the issue from East Wawanosh residents saying that, as a mostly -rural municipality, ratepayers felt they were on bi- weekly collection to make things easier for the rest of the municipality. Councillor Brock Vodden said he agreed with Seip in that the municipality needs to find ways to save money and reduce taxes, but reducing waste service collection at this point was the wrong way to do it. He said the municipality needs to consider the impact this will have on people who don't have space for storing garbage, including people in apartments and those with small houses. "The responsible thing at this point is finding a way of helping people to compost when they don't have any facilities," he said. "If we find some way around that problem, we can reduce pick-up. To throw this on every household in the whole community is unthinkable at this point." Gardening 101 Ingy Marshall was one of three speakers who helped make the first-ever Blyth Legion and Legion Ladies Auxiliary Ladies Night Out fundraiser a success according to organizer Susan Hubbard. Marshall, from Greyhaven Gardens, spoke on some of her favourite plants to work with as well as general garden tips during the event at the Blyth Community Centre last week. (Denny Scott photo) North Huron approves budget Continued from page 1 throughout the municipality with LED luminaires at $540,000 and a renovation project for the North Huron Wescast Community Centre pool estimated to cost $426,697 for which the township has received a $150,000 Trillium grant. The township currently has more than $2 million in debt and will make $249,799 in debt payments 2017 on previous capital and major investments. The township did see an increase in its Ontario Municipal Partnership allotment and White said she anticipates increased revenue due to increased rates and fees. As a result of increases in taxation, an average residential property assessed at $176,000 will see increases of $96.62 (3.35 per cent) in Blyth, $52.88 (1.96) in East Wawanosh and $86.02 (2.57) in Wingham. North Huron will use 59.32 per cent of taxes collected for the municipality while Huron County receives 26.22 per cent. The school boards receive 14.46 per cent. Council approved the budget by bylaw. Vodden also said that the municipality had conducted surveys which showed ratepayers wanted weekly pick-up. "For us to turn around and make a different choice in spite of our survey causes our credibility to go down the toilet," he said. "That is just another factor we ought to take into consideration." Molenhuis said that respondents in the first survey had been overwhelmingly in support of weekly pick-up but, in a second survey that he claimed had "more context" there were more people considering bi-weekly pick-up as an option. He also stated that any change would result in administrative and educational fees which would increase the cost of the service. Councillor Bill Knott, referencing Molenhuis' report, said proposed changes to waste collection regulations in the near future needed to be considered. "This might not be the best decision overall, but it's probably the best under the circumstance," he said. "I would have supported bi- weekly as well, but I understand Brock's comments." Knott said the municipality needs to prepare for the fact that, in two years, cutting collection to bi- weekly across the entire municipality may be a reality. Vodden said before any change could be made like that, he would like to see educational initiatives created first to help people reduce the waste that goes to the curb and ease the collection burden. Council approved the move with several members voting against the motion. Members needed Continued from page 16 diversity to join other committed and broad-minded volunteers," says Crane. Members will be chosen through a selection committee based upon experience, geographic location, volunteer or business affiliation and an understanding of newcomer needs. Applicants are required to e- mail a letter of interest to Kristin Crane - kcrane@huroncounty.ca by May 14, 2017. GODERICH 519 524 7811 FOR MOVIE INFORMATION... www.mavielinks.ca a O . 41110 long distance?1-800-265-3438 THE PRIDESMEN *OWE It* RS INCDIINTRYMIISIC COME&SING ALONG IN THE SQUARE SUNDAY, MAY 14, 2017 2 PM Tickets available in person at the Centre In The Square Box Office Kitchener. Call 519-578-1570 (1-800-265-8977) or online at www.centreinthesquare.com i Mapip# 60th Wedding anniveitAa Pete & Isabel (Daer) Campbell — 1957-2017 ; 1 r 2 i . t -0 A - I- I-...at 11126.40 f - -.4 1 - . - 0. It was a sunny day with a light dusting of were united in marriage on April 13, 1957 Edna Daer, cousin of the bride was maid Campbell, brother of the groom. Dinner parents, Bert and Dorothy Daer. The Browntown Road until Christmas of 1969, home farm on Jamestown Road outside children, Ron, Wayne, Marilyn, Carolyn, Friends and family celebrated their 60th snow when Pete and Isabel Campbell at the United Church Manse, Auburn. of honour and best man was Hugh followed at the home of the bride's couple farmed on Black's farm on when they purchased the Campbell of Wingham. The couple raised eight Murray, Dianne, Brian and Gayle. Anniversay on April 14, 2017. ' i 1 - i 4 M- l receives 26.22 per cent. The school boards receive 14.46 per cent. Council approved the budget by bylaw. Vodden also said that the municipality had conducted surveys which showed ratepayers wanted weekly pick-up. "For us to turn around and make a different choice in spite of our survey causes our credibility to go down the toilet," he said. "That is just another factor we ought to take into consideration." Molenhuis said that respondents in the first survey had been overwhelmingly in support of weekly pick-up but, in a second survey that he claimed had "more context" there were more people considering bi-weekly pick-up as an option. He also stated that any change would result in administrative and educational fees which would increase the cost of the service. Councillor Bill Knott, referencing Molenhuis' report, said proposed changes to waste collection regulations in the near future needed to be considered. "This might not be the best decision overall, but it's probably the best under the circumstance," he said. "I would have supported bi- weekly as well, but I understand Brock's comments." Knott said the municipality needs to prepare for the fact that, in two years, cutting collection to bi- weekly across the entire municipality may be a reality. Vodden said before any change could be made like that, he would like to see educational initiatives created first to help people reduce the waste that goes to the curb and ease the collection burden. Council approved the move with several members voting against the motion. Members needed Continued from page 16 diversity to join other committed and broad-minded volunteers," says Crane. Members will be chosen through a selection committee based upon experience, geographic location, volunteer or business affiliation and an understanding of newcomer needs. Applicants are required to e- mail a letter of interest to Kristin Crane - kcrane@huroncounty.ca by May 14, 2017. GODERICH 519 524 7811 FOR MOVIE INFORMATION... www.mavielinks.ca a O . 41110 long distance?1-800-265-3438 THE PRIDESMEN *OWE It* RS INCDIINTRYMIISIC COME&SING ALONG IN THE SQUARE SUNDAY, MAY 14, 2017 2 PM Tickets available in person at the Centre In The Square Box Office Kitchener. Call 519-578-1570 (1-800-265-8977) or online at www.centreinthesquare.com