After having the report of what local residents can and cannot dispose of during “Pitch-In Canada and Amnesty Cleanup Week” (April 19-26) sent back to committee for further discussion, town council has settled on an expanded but not all-inclusive list.
Meant to clean up the town for the centennial celebrations this summer, the conditions of the week will allow yard and garden waste to be dumped with no tipping fees at the municipal landfill, but any other waste will be disposed of at half price ($19/tonne).
However, no used tires will be accepted, nor any “white” appliances (stoves, fridges, washers, dryers, etc.), and no demolished buildings.
This refuse may be hauled in using half-ton vehicles and utility trailers or small vehicles.
While the regulations ultimately were passed due to the ticking clock, this list did not sit well with all of council.
“If we want to truly clean up the town, why do we need all the restrictions?” asked Coun. Struchan, recalling the days of Walter Horban’s high school cleanup crew that pretty much picked up everything that was left out by residents in the alley or at the curb.
But Coun. Roy Avis noted not only is the limited amount of space in the landfill a concern when leaving the dump gates open to everything, “it’s very hard to police,” adding residents of Miscampbell and Alberton likely would use the amnesty period, too.
CAO Bill Naturkach noted that Horban had considerable volunteer manpower while the town imply can’t afford to have crews going around and doing pickups.
Mayor Glenn Witherspoon brought up a novel solution, pitched to him by a local resident.
“You know who lives in the town by the power bills. In every bill, there could be a receipt or coupon to dump a load at the landfill, whenever you want,” he said, noting this would make clear just who was using the amnesty.
While several councillors applauded the idea, Naturkach noted with the push on to get the town cleaned up as soon as possible, waiting for billing just wasn’t feasible at this time.
Council settled on the aforementioned list, and date for the amnesty period, on the condition that the Operations and Facilities executive committee look at implementing the coupon idea next year.
The report on “Pitch-In Canada and Amnesty Cleanup Week” was sent back to the Operations and Facilities executive committee March 10 after the regulations were deemed too restrictive.
On the other end of spectrum, the Economic Development Advisory Committee originally requested April be “Amnesty Cleanup Month,” with free tipping fees for a one-month clean-up.
But this open policy was determined to be a little too lenient, as Operations and Facilities manager Pat Hickerson advised council the cost of this could be up to $14,000.
Fort Frances Times
Local News from Across the Rainy River District
