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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2009-10-15, Page 32While action is still years away, Huron East deputy-mayor Bernie MacLellan says that the municipality’s partnership with several other municipalities may serve to extend the life of the Walton landfill. Because of the mid-Huron landfill site’s new usage policy involving clear plastic bags, the site has seen a reduction in waste. This, MacLellan says, is something that could serve to extend the life of the Walton landfill significantly. MacLellan says that while it wouldn’t happen for several years, the tonnage agreement worked out by the municipality with the new landfill guarantees Huron East a set amount of tonnage for disposal before another agreement is required. However, because of the reduced waste coming in now because of the move to clear bags, he said, the municipality’s time at mid-Huron should be extended and the tonnage allotment at the new site should last several years with space to spare. This, MacLellan said, could result in the extension of the Walton landfill, where waste from that landfill could be moved. This move could serve a two-fold purpose, he said, not only could it help the municipality to recoup on its sizeable investment into the new landfill, but it could serve to extend the life of the Walton landfill in the process. In recent landfill board meetings, MacLellan said that garbage coming into the Mid-Huron landfill site has been “reduced drastically” since users of the landfill moved to clear plastic bags. “We were supposed to be there now already,” MacLellan said at a meeting last month. “Now they’re thinking it might be 2011, but it could be four or five years until we move to the new landfill now.” The term Huron East has agreed to, MacLellan says, will be five years at least. It could however, be extended at the end of the five years, or once the municipality reaches its allowable tonnage, which is 65,000 tonnes. He also said that if Stage 3 of the proposal gets approved, the municipality would stay until the end of Stage 2, which should take the municipality, at the current rate, which has been reduced since the clear plastic bag regulation, until 2030, MacLellan estimates. MacLellan says the agreement looks like it will be a good one for Huron East and could serve to further several causes in the municipality. MacLellan said that one current issue is electronic waste, something Huron East has stepped up its efforts in reducing lately. With free e-waste pick-ups days throughout the last year in Brussels and Seaforth, the municipality has taken a stand to eliminate e-waste from its household trash. However, while the mid-Huron landfill as well as the new site will charge for e-waste, the Walton landfill still does not. MacLellan says the rates will have to be investigated, because with less waste coming in, income has become a concern and because of the site’s switch to clear bags, one major contract has already been lost. Chamney Sanitation, out of Auburn, has been purchased by Waste Management. However, before the buy-out, Chamney Sanitation had already pulled out of the mid-Huron landfill because of the new strict conditions, and Waste Management plans on continuing to ship the county’s waste out of Huron County. “This is a good discussion to have, but it isn’t something that’s going to happen for a few years,” he said. “However, it also isn’t something we’re going to decide on in a week either.” PAGE 32. THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, OCTOBER 15, 2009. Response to complaint satisfied M-T council Morris-Turnberry councillors, at their Oct. 6 meeting, expressed themselves satisfied to actions being taken by a company accused of making excessive noise. Sheldon and Lisa Baker of Canadian Crane Rentals were responding to a complaint from their Lower Town Wingham neighbour. Mary Baltessen had attended the Sept. 15 meeting of council to complain about noise that continued into the night and on Sundays. In response, Sheldon Baker said he had been trying to reduce noise by having equipment taken inside the buildings the previous night if repairs are needed. That way there is no noise being made outside until at least 9 a.m. Councillor Lynn Hoy said Baltessen’s complaint had been about noise on a Sunday. Sheldon Baker said there might have been been a major breakdown the day in question. There are customers who need a crane on Sunday, he said and the machinery must be started and driven off the lot. “We really don’t want to put in a noise bylaw,” said mayor Dorothy Kelly, saying restrictions could hurt businesses and farmers trying to carry out their business. “We’ve been in the neighbourhood longer than any of the neighbours,” Sheldon Baker said. “Until we hear more (complaints) from people we’ll consider that you've taken steps to control the noise,” said Kelly. The Bakers also attended the meeting to hear council consider a zoning amendment that would allow them to sell a 3.5 acre parcel of land for construction of a resident, from a 12.3 acre parcel, much of the rest of it forested and part of it designated natural environment. The remaining lot will remain designated as developmental and will require an environmental impact study before it can be developed. Council approved the change. Working together mayextend landfill’s lifesays HE’s MacLellan Test drive Checking the look on 14-month-old Brady Finch’s face, it seems he might be wanting to ask his big brother, Tyson, two, “Are you sure you know what you’re doing?” The pair were among the many children at the Blyth fire department’s annual open house last Saturday, taking advantage of the opportunity to get into the driver’s seat of trucks, and in this case a Gator. (Photo submitted) By Shawn Loughlin The Citizen By Keith Roulston The Citizen 404 Queen St., Blyth 519-523-4792 541 Turnberry St., Brussels 519-887-9114 The Citizen HOW TO THINK LIKE A HORSE Noted horsewoman Cherry Hill argues equine behaviour makes perfect sense if you understand a horse’s survival instinct and fears and know what makes him feel calm and confident. She tells how to use that knowledge. $26.95 PONY PLAY GAMES AND PUZZLES This book features 100 mazes, picture puzzles, jokes, riddles and fun- packed activities and games. 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