Addington Highlands council - Sep. 7/10

Jeff Green | Sep 09, 2010

Addington Highlands delays Blue Box rule

In the face of concerns from marina operators and others, Addington Highlands Council has agreed to phase in a new Blue Box rule for recycled materials slowly.

But by December 1 the new rule will apply at all township dump sites.

The new rule, which was approved at the July 5 Council meeting and was originally set to come into effect on October 1, stipulates that recycled materials must be brought to the dump sites in Blue boxes; plastic bags containing recycling will no longer be accepted.

The new rule came about because the practice of bringing recycling in plastic bags led to non-recyclable materials being included with the recycling. This endangered the dump attendants on some occasions, and also led the township’s recycling contractor to reject loads on occasion as well.

The township is making Blue Boxes available to residents at cost, $10 a box. As of December 1.

“I have heard a lot of comments about this, and received a number of emails,” said Reeve Henry Hogg.

“I think we can agree to phase this in after Thanksgiving to give seasonal residents until next summer to comply,” said Deputy Reeve Helen Yanch in proposing a delay until December 1.

“That won’t satisfy everyone, but we have to be concerned about the safety of our staff. There have been needles in bags, and all sorts of hazardous items,” said Hogg.

Skate park issues – The township received a letter from Jim Barnum from Spectrum Skatepark Creations Limited, the company that supplied the Lions Skatepark in Northbrook, suggesting some measures the township could take to improve the park. These included installing benches or boulders, a new gravel pathway, and planting trees or shrubs to give the area a more park-like feel.

Barnum also pointed out that there is a flaw in the installation of the park - missing epoxy in some of the joints on the ramps. This will affect the life span of the park, and Barnum suggested the township either fill the joints themselves, or seek to have the contractor that put up the park take care of it.

Council will try to contact the contractor to make the changes. The other suggestions were kept for future consideration.

Highway 7 Corridor study – On September 16, the Ministry of Transportation will be hosting a workshop at the Kaladar Community Centre to talk about the future of Highway 7 between Peterborough and Carleton Place.