Sf_recycling_isnt_working

Jeff Green | Sep 21, 2006

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South Frontenac Council gets the message; recycling isn't working

by Jeff Green

The new recycling regimen that has been in place in Loughborough and Storrington Districts since Sepember 1st was the subject of much consternation at South Frontenac Council this week. Councillors from the two districts, as well as the mayor, have received numerous complaints and they fear that the entire recycling program is in jeopardy.

The way the program is now set up, recycling is picked up once every two weeks. But not all recyclables are picked up each time. On one recycling day each month glass and cardboard are picked up, and two weeks later plastic/cans and fibre are picked up.

“The way this new system is, it obviously isn’t working. Most people were satisfied with every other week, but the way this is split up only the avid recycler will do it. Those on the fringes will stop recycling. We have got to get it back to every other week, and it’s going to cost money” Deputy Mayor Ron Vandewal told council.

Recycling in the two districts was only set up a year ago, “and for the most part it has worked out really well,” said Councillor Gary Davison. But since the change the program has stalled. We need to make it work.”

“We’ve definitely got to do something,” said Mayor Bill Lake , “because my ears have been burning.”

A meeting of the township’s waste management committee is being hastily arranged for later this week, and Mayor Lake said that if the committee has something to propose, council will consider it as soon as possible, perhaps as soon as next Tuesday.

“If we need to call a special council meeting, we’ll do it,” Lake said.

Other items from Council sand shed woes

Council received a report from Jewell Engineering, which confirmed that the Storrington sand shed is “considered safe for the removal of material this winter”. The report then says that the building could be repaired so that it can be made safe for one more winter, but that it will cost $4,500 to determine what kind of repair is necessary and how much it will cost.

Deputy Mayor Vandewal said the building is not in danger of falling in, and is in the same shape it has been for three years. “Why should we spend $4,500 to find out it will cost $50,000 just to get through one winter. I don’t think we should spend money on this,” he said.

A chorus of councillors said that once the report has been received the township has no choice but to follow its recommendations or avoid the shed entirely.

“If that means getting sand from our Keeley Road site (near Sydenham) for all of Storrington’s needs, there will be added costs in terms of deadhead driving for our trucks,” pointed out Public Works Manager Bill Blum.

“We need to get the study done. If the repair costs too much, then we won’t do it; but we have to find out,” said Mayor Lake .

Council agreed.

Construction continues to drop As of the end of August, 407 building permits have been issued in the township this year, for a construction value of $14.4 million. The figures for the same period last year were 413 permits for $16.9 million in construction value, and 382 permits had been sold by the end of August in 2004 for a construction value of $19.6 million.