It was a struggle, but Meaford Councillor Lynda Stephens managed to convince her fellow members of council to pass a resolution that would direct staff to look into potential alternatives to the current waste management service delivery models.
Director of Operations Stephen Vokes sought, and was granted approval at the November 9 council meeting to proceed with plans to issue requests for proposals for waste management services, including garbage and recycling collection. Vokes indicated at that meeting that he hopes to issue the requests in January.
“We are in a time crunch,” Vokes advised council in response to the request from Stephens.
With just weeks remaining in 2009, he indicated that it would be difficult to explore alternatives at this stage in the game.
Mayor Francis Richardson agreed.
“I don't want to do something that will hold up the process,” said Richardson, “We can't afford to do that.”
Councillor Stephens held her ground and requested that staff at least attempt to consider some alternatives over the next four weeks.
“I understand that,” responded Stephens, “But there are alternative delivery models that we should investigate to see if they are feasible.”
The current plan is to implement the recommendations brought forward in the revised Waste Management Plan that was developed with the assistance of consulting firm Golder and Associates.
Vokes anticipates increased costs of roughly $34,000 in the first year in order to implement the plan, however he is hopeful that actual costs will be reduced over the long term.
Highlights of the proposed new waste collection program include shifting from weekly curb side residential garbage collection to a bi-weekly service, and moving blue box recyclables pick up from every second week to a weekly collection.
In a 6-1 vote council decided to direct staff to explore alternatives over the next four weeks and prior to putting the services to tender.
