Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2018-03-22, Page 10PAGE 10. THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, MARCH 22, 2018. Landfill closure causes increased CH collection costs By Shawn Loughlin The Citizen With the impending closure of the Mid -Huron Landfill, Central Huron Council has had to raise waste management costs to reflect increased travel, but has stopped short of making the service mandatory. The municipality is continuing its current service, which provides wheelie bins through the Bluewater Recycling Association (BRA). However, costs will be rising as a result of increased travel distance for the company once the local landfill closes its doors. A big celebration Musician Tom Melady provided musical entertainment at the Queens Bakery in Blyth over the weekend as part of the celebration of St. Patrick's Day. Melady played authentic Irish tunes and welcomed visitors to sing along with him. The Dublin (Ontario) native brought authenticity and humour to the special occasion performance at the sold -out bakery. (Quinn Talbot photo) Letter to the Editor Knott says he's not writing on blog THE EDITOR, written and posted to the fake Blyth Free Press were not written by Please be aware that statements news/blog site the Wingham and me. I apologize to anyone who has written to me at bknott@northhuron.ca and not received a reply due to the number of fake e-mails that I have received I have not replied to anyone who cannot be identified. Should you wish to write me please include your name, address and a phone number so that your identity can be verified and I will be pleased to respond to you. I caution anyone who reads these sites to take a great deal of caution when considering the truth or accuracy of anything stated in there. Thank you, Bill Knott. Kids on children 'Goat Yoga' was the order of the day for one of the Brussels, Morris and Grey Community Centre March Break programs last week. Above, Giddy Up N' Go Ponies instructor Stephanie Morrison encourages one of her goats to stand on Rayna Johnston's back while Macie Taylor laughs and waits her turn in the background. (Dennyscottphoto) #1 And Weal Still Try Harder Recent circulation figures show The Citizen has the highest circulation in the northern part of Huron County, #3 in the entire county. The Citizen Proudly Community -Owned Since 1985 w r11 Chief Administrative Officer Steve Doherty spoke to the issue at council's budget meeting, held on March 13 in Clinton. He said that with waste having to be brought to either the Twin Creeks Landfill in Watford or the Wellington North Landfill in Mount Forest, it's going to cost BRA more to manage the municipality's waste and that's why rates are on the rise. There are three annual waste options: a 35 -gallon waste bin that will cost between $130 and $156 per year, a 65 -gallon bin that will cost between $160 and $240 per year and a 95 -gallon bin that will cost between $240 and $340 per year. These rates are up for the current costs annually charged to residents on their final tax bill of the year. The current rates are $90 per year for a 35 -gallon bin, $160 per year for a 65 -gallon bin and $240 per year for a 95 -gallon bin. He said that while the increases being proposed are substantial, that they remain competitive when compared to neighbouring municipalities. "Although the above increases are considerable — staff feel that curbside waste collection at $2.50 per week (majority of users have a 35 -gallon bin) is a competitive and reasonable rate for service," Doherty said in his report. "If council's decision is to proceed as outlined in this report, existing customers will be billed for a half-year at the old rate and a half-year at the new rate" In his report to council, Doherty said that his suggested rate schedule is based on cost -recovery, so he felt that the new rates would have little impact on the municipal budget. Waste services in Central Huron, he said, will continue to be a partnership between BRA and Waste Management. While BRA will continue to haul waste from the municipality, as it has been for years, Waste Management 1 STILL RUNNING OUT TO FETCH THE PAPER? �i�_'. Having a subscription to The Citizen saves you money Newsstand price - $1.25/week Subscription price - 76¢/week owns the landfills. Doherty said that BRA already services two-thirds of the municipality's households. He expects more will take up the service when the landfill closes at the end of June, leaving only a few who will endeavour to manage waste on their own. While council has not voted to make waste management a mandatory service, that conversation will still be coming at a future meeting said Clerk Brenda Maclsaac. However, for the time being, the services will remain status quo, only with an increased rate schedule to cover the larger distance to travel. In his report, Doherty said that the Landfill 3 Group (Central Huron, Huron East and Goderich) is considering operating a recycling and waste facility for two -and -a -half days per week at the Mid -Huron Landfill site that would accept shingles, wood, steel, tires and e - waste only from residents of the three municipalities. Conditions upon which collection would be based are that carriers collecting curbside refuse cannot bring refuse to the site and that all loads must be sorted and unloaded manually. He said that hazardous waste will continue to be accepted at the site from residents of all Huron County municipalities, which is the continuation of the existing county service of accepting batteries, fertilizers, cleaning products, detergents, paint cans, etc. Council passed Doherty's recommendation, installing the new fee schedule as of July 1. Let us Wash Your Drapes Blyth Laundromat 191 Westmoreland St., Blyth 519-523-9687 Save up to $2450 a year off newsstand price Yes - I want to save money. Enclosed is $38.00 for a 1 -year subscription Name Address Town Postal Code On-line subscriptions available too at www.northhuron.on.ca Mail cheque & coupon to: P.O. Box 429, P.O. Box 152, Blyth, ON NOM 1H0 Brussels, ON NOG 1H0