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No changes to garbage policy in McLennan
Kevin Laliberte
Smoky River Express
McLennan town council has officially put the trash can lid on the frontal solid waste collection debate.
And the news doesn’t exactly smell like a bed of roses for the estimated 210 residents who actively voiced their frustration over a decision by town council in May to amend its garbage collection policy from backyard to frontal garbage pickup.
“Council’s decision is to continue with frontal garbage collection based on the original motion made in May,” says Tammy Chavis, town administrator.
Town councillors dissected the contentious issue at their Aug. 11th regular meeting prior to putting the brakes on a new motion that would have reversed the previous decision to change from backyard to frontal solid waste collection.
Supporting the motion to return to backyard pick-up services was Mayor John Kachuk along with fellow councillors Lee Hamelin and Eckhard Christen. Councillors Dwayne Stout, Michele Fournier and Patricia Bacon voted against the motion.
Holding the critical wildcard and the tie-breaking vote (a voice which had the potential to completely snuff out the frontal solid waste collection amendment) for the split council was Coun. Robert Thrall, who was on holidays and could not attend the meeting.
Mayor Kachuk said that although Coun. Thrall’s opinion carried weight in the overall decision-making process, there was no way of accurately gauging for sure which side of the fence his feet would have landed on in the voting process.
“We don’t know which way (Coun. Thrall) may have voted. All we know for sure is that he voted in favour of frontal garbage collection in May.”
The mayor defended the decision of council to lay the issue to rest last Monday during a private in-camera session despite Coun. Thrall’s absence.
“This matter was allowed to carry on for far too long,” he explained, adding that council felt it was time to put the issue in its rearview mirror once and for all.“We exhausted every effort imaginable as a council to address the pros and cons of frontal garbage pick-up before reaching this decision. It’s now water under the bridge and it’s time for everyone to move ahead and get on with their lives.”
Coun. Hamelin, who made the original motion in May to go to frontal garbage collection, reversed his opinion shortly after hearing feedback from residents, many of whom are concerned seniors.
“I thought it was a good idea in May until I began to realize the impact of the change on our senior population,” said Hamelin, who is encouraging McLennan’s younger generation of residents to step forward by assisting the elderly with their garbage whenever possible.
“My sincere hope is that this will happen.”
The mayor, meanwhile, went on to thank all residents for their valuable input in relation to the frontal garbage pick-up debate, adding that it was taken into serious consideration by council throughout the process.
“We respect the opinions of all residents who brought their concerns forward to the municipality. It’s a sign of a healthy, vibrant community.”
Kachuk says the final decision is something he can live with regardless of whether or not he agrees with it.
“Several councillors, including myself, tried to rescind the motion, but unfortunately that failed to transpire, and I can accept that. The voice of democracy spoke out loud and clear and I respect and support council’s final decision.”
He says nobody can fault the town for failing to do its homework, adding that municipal officials let the issue run its course by ensuring it went through all appropriate local government channels.
That process included dealing with a petition launched in June by resident Cathy Valiquette – a document later deemed invalid by Chavis based on regulatory measures under the Municipal Government Act.
Kachuk referred to the entire petition process as an eye-opening experience, noting that, in the end, elected officials did what they felt was most advantageous to the community as a whole.
“Council turned this issue inside out, upside down and sideways in an effort to do what was in the best interest of residents of the community.
“I’m just relieved to know it’s finally over.”
The decision to stick with frontal garbage collection is expected to save the municipality anywhere between $5,000 and $8,000 per year in the area of solid waste management services and alley maintenance.
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