County council voted in favour of allowing cart size swaps for residents who request them, which could start by February 2022.
On Tuesday afternoon, County of Simcoe councillors participated in a workshop to hash out concerns with the county’s controversial new automated cart waste collection system, less than a week ahead of the rollout of the program. As part of the workshop, councillors decided that the county will offer alternate cart size options for residents.
The council vote to allow expedited cart exchanges passed by a vote of 18-12. Innisfil Deputy Mayor Dan Davidson and Essa Deputy Mayor Mike Smith were absent.
Councillors who voted in favour were Springwater Mayor Don Allen, Clearview Deputy Mayor Barry Burton, Ramara Mayor Basil Clarke, Warden George Cornell, Deputy Warden Lynn Dollin, Ramara Deputy Mayor Joe Gough, Oro-Medonte Deputy Mayor Ralph Hough, Oro-Medonte Mayor Harry Hughes, Collingwood Deputy Mayor Keith Hull, Bradford Mayor Rob Keffer, Bradford Deputy Mayor James Leduc, Essa Mayor Sandie MacDonald, Clearview Mayor Doug Measures, New Tecumseth Mayor Rick Milne, New Tecumseth Deputy Mayor Richard Norcross, Adjala-Tosorontio Mayor Floyd Pinto, Collingwood Mayor Brian Saunderson and Midland Mayor Stewart Strathearn.
According to the 27-page staff report for the workshop, the estimated cost to offer alternate sizes will come in between $2 and $4 million for the first year, with ongoing annual operating costs estimated at $1.1 million. In the report, director of solid waste management Rob McCullough estimates the actual number of exchanges that would be required would range between five and 12 per cent of serviced units. The costs will differ depending on the options selected by county council on Tuesday.
More to come.
