THE SURVEY - CURBSIDE GARBAGE (and RECYCLING) PICKUP
OVERVIEW
Because this issue was part of a 5-topic survey which we conducted in November 2012, a few of the paragraphs on this page may seem familiar, since they also appear on the corresponding pages associated with each of the other four topics. However, the majority of what appears on this page is specific to the topic of curbside pickup. So please take the time to look through all of the material.
In the summer of 2012, we started to become unsettled by some of the things we saw Council doing. It became apparent to us that they had become disconnected from the very people who elected them to their positions. They were deliberating in isolation - assuming that they knew what residents really wanted. Once we realized what was going on, we got ourselves organized and undertook the considerable effort to conduct a 5-topic survey/petition, which we subsequently presented to Council (on November 26th, 2012).
The issue of curbside pickup was the fourth topic of our 5-part survey. At first, curbside pickup of garbage and recyclables probably seems a bit far-fetched in a rural setting, and presumably quite expensive. But in reality, it appears to be quite achievable at an affordable price, and would actually have many benefits beyond mere convenience - including a pretty significant boost to the Township's always-challenged budget. We didn't cover all of those details in the survey materials, but we do dive into it more deeply on this website (back on the primary page for this topic).
Below is what we provided as background information about curbside pickup when we went door-to-door, seeking residents' opinions. We've also included Council's official written response.
If you're interested in all of the technical and logistical aspects of the the survey, look in the section entitled Resources and Supporting Materials at the bottom of this page, for links to pertinent details. It was a relatively sophisticated approach and the results are very defensible.
[Click] to go (back) to our primary page on this topic.
In the summer of 2012, we started to become unsettled by some of the things we saw Council doing. It became apparent to us that they had become disconnected from the very people who elected them to their positions. They were deliberating in isolation - assuming that they knew what residents really wanted. Once we realized what was going on, we got ourselves organized and undertook the considerable effort to conduct a 5-topic survey/petition, which we subsequently presented to Council (on November 26th, 2012).
The issue of curbside pickup was the fourth topic of our 5-part survey. At first, curbside pickup of garbage and recyclables probably seems a bit far-fetched in a rural setting, and presumably quite expensive. But in reality, it appears to be quite achievable at an affordable price, and would actually have many benefits beyond mere convenience - including a pretty significant boost to the Township's always-challenged budget. We didn't cover all of those details in the survey materials, but we do dive into it more deeply on this website (back on the primary page for this topic).
Below is what we provided as background information about curbside pickup when we went door-to-door, seeking residents' opinions. We've also included Council's official written response.
If you're interested in all of the technical and logistical aspects of the the survey, look in the section entitled Resources and Supporting Materials at the bottom of this page, for links to pertinent details. It was a relatively sophisticated approach and the results are very defensible.
[Click] to go (back) to our primary page on this topic.
BACKGROUND INFO
Topic #4 from our November 2012 Survey
Are you aware that residents in the north end of the Township (the former Kitley area) have enjoyed weekly curbside pickup services (i.e. recyclables and “garbage”) for several years? Granted, they pay for it by way of a separate levy on their tax bill - about $110/yr (a little over $9/mth).
Does the convenience of curbside pickup appeal to you? Would you like to see the service provided to all residents of the Township? While no hard figures have been finalized, it seems it may be possible for them to do just that at a very reasonable cost - much less than north end residents are currently paying. What would you consider to be a reasonable cost - something like $5 or $6 per month ($60-$72/yr)?
In addition to the direct benefits to the residents (convenience, saving time, saving money on gas), there are some subtle benefits - at the Township level - to having a single, Township-wide curbside pickup program in place. Right now, there is a mishmash of waste/recycling programs in the Township - some curbside pickup, some “self-serve” access at the waste site, and some private contractor arrangements. The problem is, the Township is not able to properly measure/manage and report (Provincially) on all of the waste and recyclable materials which are being “generated” in the Township. In some cases, this impedes the Township’s ability to access additional funding to help offset the cost of its recycling operations, because it appears to be a “poor performer” (even though that really isn’t the case).
But with a Township-run, Township-wide curbside pickup program, the Township would be able to properly measure/manage and report on the materials - allow them to fully access funding … which ultimately benefits all tax payers. And, we would probably add a permanent job or two to our local economy - which may not be much, but every little bit helps.
[Click] to go (back) to our primary page on this topic.
Are you aware that residents in the north end of the Township (the former Kitley area) have enjoyed weekly curbside pickup services (i.e. recyclables and “garbage”) for several years? Granted, they pay for it by way of a separate levy on their tax bill - about $110/yr (a little over $9/mth).
Does the convenience of curbside pickup appeal to you? Would you like to see the service provided to all residents of the Township? While no hard figures have been finalized, it seems it may be possible for them to do just that at a very reasonable cost - much less than north end residents are currently paying. What would you consider to be a reasonable cost - something like $5 or $6 per month ($60-$72/yr)?
In addition to the direct benefits to the residents (convenience, saving time, saving money on gas), there are some subtle benefits - at the Township level - to having a single, Township-wide curbside pickup program in place. Right now, there is a mishmash of waste/recycling programs in the Township - some curbside pickup, some “self-serve” access at the waste site, and some private contractor arrangements. The problem is, the Township is not able to properly measure/manage and report (Provincially) on all of the waste and recyclable materials which are being “generated” in the Township. In some cases, this impedes the Township’s ability to access additional funding to help offset the cost of its recycling operations, because it appears to be a “poor performer” (even though that really isn’t the case).
But with a Township-run, Township-wide curbside pickup program, the Township would be able to properly measure/manage and report on the materials - allow them to fully access funding … which ultimately benefits all tax payers. And, we would probably add a permanent job or two to our local economy - which may not be much, but every little bit helps.
[Click] to go (back) to our primary page on this topic.
COUNCIL'S OFFICIAL RESPONSE
Mailed out February 2013 to the 300+ participants
This question was broken up to an a) and b), with a) being for the former Elizabethtown Township area and b) representing the area closest to the landfill site.
Over the years Council has considered this question, generally following an inquiry by a resident. Though the estimated cost of $72 per year is noted in the survey, it excludes the cost of waste tags (estimated at $62.40 for one bag per week or $124.80 for 2 bags per week) which would result in an annual cost of $134.40 if only one bag is placed at the curb per week. Based on research, a private contractor in the area provides this service for a cost of $2.25 per bag, or $117.00 per year for one bag per week. Therefore, it is thought that provision of this service by the municipality is somewhat higher in cost than through a private contractor.
Again, Council is investigating other methods of providing waste and recycling service to the Township in a quest to ensure customer service at the best possible price.
[Click] to go (back) to our primary page on this topic.
This question was broken up to an a) and b), with a) being for the former Elizabethtown Township area and b) representing the area closest to the landfill site.
Over the years Council has considered this question, generally following an inquiry by a resident. Though the estimated cost of $72 per year is noted in the survey, it excludes the cost of waste tags (estimated at $62.40 for one bag per week or $124.80 for 2 bags per week) which would result in an annual cost of $134.40 if only one bag is placed at the curb per week. Based on research, a private contractor in the area provides this service for a cost of $2.25 per bag, or $117.00 per year for one bag per week. Therefore, it is thought that provision of this service by the municipality is somewhat higher in cost than through a private contractor.
Again, Council is investigating other methods of providing waste and recycling service to the Township in a quest to ensure customer service at the best possible price.
[Click] to go (back) to our primary page on this topic.
RESOURCES and SUPPORTING MATERIALS
Under construction. We are busy
preparing the substantiating resources (documents, newspaper articles,
etc.) to publish in this section. Please check back in a little while,
or link up with our Facebook page to be notified of updates.
PLEASE ATTEND COUNCIL MEETINGS
The clearest, most effective message you can send to Council, is to attend their meetings. So long as the public gallery is empty, they will get the impression that no one cares.
It would be hypocritical to hold Council responsible for the outcome of all things if we are perpetually absent from the process, ourselves.
Typically, Council meetings are held on Mondays. [Click] to open the Township's official calendar in a new window.
It would be hypocritical to hold Council responsible for the outcome of all things if we are perpetually absent from the process, ourselves.
Typically, Council meetings are held on Mondays. [Click] to open the Township's official calendar in a new window.