THE SURVEY - RECYCLING CONTRACTS
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 recycling contracts and the need for better budgeting. 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 recycling contracts was the third topic on our 5-part survey. We had become quite frustrated that Council was routinely crying the blues about budget challenges, yet it ignored a substantial cost-saving opportunity which the Waste Management Committee had presented in January 2012.
Below is what we provided as background information about the recycling contracts 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 recycling contracts was the third topic on our 5-part survey. We had become quite frustrated that Council was routinely crying the blues about budget challenges, yet it ignored a substantial cost-saving opportunity which the Waste Management Committee had presented in January 2012.
Below is what we provided as background information about the recycling contracts 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 #3 from our November 2012 Survey
The Waste Management Committee presented a proposal to Council in January which included, among other things, changing the service provider the Township uses to have recyclable materials hauled away and processed. The reason the Committee included this component in its proposal is because it apparently became aware that another service provider was able to provide a suitable hauling service to the Township at a significantly reduced rate, and that the arrangement would also eliminate the burdensome per tonne “processing fee” which the Township is currently incurring.
As you might expect, switching service providers would necessitate “breaking” the current contract with the existing provider. However, this should not pose a problem, since it has been suggested that there is likely an “escape clause” in the contract. And, given that the fees associated with the existing contract seem to be blatantly uncompetitive, there should not even be any moral concerns over exercising the “escape clause”. Yet, to date, Council has done absolutely nothing to pursue the cost-saving opportunity - essentially leaving thousands of dollars “on the table” for months.
[Click] to go (back) to our primary page on this topic.
The Waste Management Committee presented a proposal to Council in January which included, among other things, changing the service provider the Township uses to have recyclable materials hauled away and processed. The reason the Committee included this component in its proposal is because it apparently became aware that another service provider was able to provide a suitable hauling service to the Township at a significantly reduced rate, and that the arrangement would also eliminate the burdensome per tonne “processing fee” which the Township is currently incurring.
As you might expect, switching service providers would necessitate “breaking” the current contract with the existing provider. However, this should not pose a problem, since it has been suggested that there is likely an “escape clause” in the contract. And, given that the fees associated with the existing contract seem to be blatantly uncompetitive, there should not even be any moral concerns over exercising the “escape clause”. Yet, to date, Council has done absolutely nothing to pursue the cost-saving opportunity - essentially leaving thousands of dollars “on the table” for months.
[Click] to go (back) to our primary page on this topic.
COUNCIL'S OFFICIAL RESPONSE
Mailed out February 2013 to the 300+ participants
The Township is currently looking at options regarding the provision of waste and recycling services, seeking the best possible outcome for the taxpayers and residents of the Township.
Council did receive the minutes of the January 12, 2012 Waste Management Committee meeting with the attached report on recycling. The Committee requested that the report be circulated to Council without any direct recommendation from the Committee to Council. Therefore, Council would have received the document as information with no further action being taken until a recommendation is received.
[Click] to go (back) to our primary page on this topic.
The Township is currently looking at options regarding the provision of waste and recycling services, seeking the best possible outcome for the taxpayers and residents of the Township.
Council did receive the minutes of the January 12, 2012 Waste Management Committee meeting with the attached report on recycling. The Committee requested that the report be circulated to Council without any direct recommendation from the Committee to Council. Therefore, Council would have received the document as information with no further action being taken until a recommendation is received.
[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.