Simcoe County committee rejects leaf collection
Simcoe County Council’s corporate services committee has voted 6-5 to reject a request from Midland for permission to carry out leaf collection for a two-week period in the fall.
The request is expected to go to the full council for a vote later this month.
Stephan Kramp, Midland’s deputy mayor, says the decision rests with the county because it is mandated by the province to provide waste management services.
“If county council says no, it’s case closed,” he says. “We can’t do it.”
The town has offered to use its own vacuuming equipment to collect the leaves and pick up the $42,000 tab.
The county implemented a uniform level of waste collection services April 1 that includes an expansion of leaf and yard waste collection to four biweekly collections in the spring and five biweekly collections in the fall.
As a result of the change, the county cancelled agreements allowing municipalities, including Midland, to provide leaf collection services on behalf of the county.
A county staff report to the committee suggested, among other things, that the town’s vacuum service in addition to the county’s bagged collection could “create the potential for confusion for town residents as well as those from neighbouring communities.
“Approval of the town’s service alternative would set precedents as staff is aware of other municipalities which would also seek to provide alternative services or seek to opt out of county waste collection services.
“This would negate the intention of standardization of waste service levels.”
The report said if County Council should approve the town’s request, it should meet a number of conditions.
Kramp, Midland’s representative on the committee, said the town could meet the conditions.
“What we are asking for is just two weeks in the fall. There will be no cost to the county, and we will inform residents so there is no confusion,” he said, urging committee members to look at the matter objectively.
Penetanguishene Mayor Gerry Marshall said Midland should be allowed to provide the service if the conditions set out in the staff report are met.
George Lawrence, deputy mayor of Tiny Township, suggested there could be “an amicable solution, because Midland’s willing to pay for this.”
Linda Collins, mayor of Springwater Township, said she understood Midland will pay the costs.
“But,” she added, “this is the county strategy. We have a uniform standard and we need to maintain that.”
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