Wawa Municipal Council's moving forward with a revised version of a new waste collection by-law - but giving the public more time to respond.
In a special meeting yesterday, CAO/Clerk Maury O'Neill went over the proposed by-law first brought up to Council in March, with O'Neill reminding it's intended to meet "today's standards" - as the current was originally passed in 1969 and only somewhat amended since - but also to ensure fair procedures are in place and followed.
As originally proposed, the updated by-law outlines rules for putting out garbage for collection - such as types of containers and lids, as well as weight restrictions - while reducing the limit on residential collection from the current 6 bags or containers to just 4 bags or 2 approved containers - which could hold a total of 4 bags - though an exception would be given for those who produce medical waste, allowed one extra bag, but they'd need to submit a form to the Municipality with proof of the need.
The by-law also adds a standard fee for additional collection for commercial properties, who would have to pay for anything above 1 collection per week, though - in response to public input - there will also be forms to submit to the Municipality, detailing the need for the extra collection - while calculations are now based on the metric system, provisions on prohibited waste are updated, and there is language addressing the use of the landfill by contractors.
O'Neill warned Council that changes may be necessary to address recycling, but discussions are still needed with Circular Materials - the organization set up to address Ontario's producer responsibility rules for recycling - and that first requires the Ministry of Environment to update the landfill's certificate to operate, allowing a bin to accept recyclable materials from properties currently without door-to-door collection.
Council gave the proposed by-law first and second reading, but held off on the third and final reading, instead planned for the July 14th meeting, so the changes can take effect as of September 1st.