Perth plans shutdown of special materials depot
Posted Mar 11, 2010 By Chris Must
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Tweet ThisEMC News - Thanks to a new, enhanced curbside recycling program to be implemented June 1, Perth will close the special materials depot at the town landfill site effective April 3.
Councillors voted to approve the closure at a meeting of Committee of the Whole March 2. The move was recommended by the Waste Management Committee following a Feb. 17 meeting.
In other business at the March 2 Committee of the Whole meeting, Mayor John Fenik proposed a motion directing town staff to investigate the feasibility of introducing and enforcing minimal fuel emissions standards for taxicabs operating in the town. Based on recent municipal conferences he has attended, the mayor said an emerging issue "is the carbon footprint we leave behind." Noting that taxis cannot operate in the town without a licence signed by both himself and the chief of police, Fenik said he believes municipalities should pass by-laws requiring taxis to be fuel-efficient. He said that although some people may say emissions from two or three cabs operating in Perth "won't amount to a hill of beans, we're doing our part, and we're showing leadership."
Councillor Beth Peterkin commented: "I think this is a good step forward. I think, again, it shows leadership on the environmental front."
Councillor Ed McPherson suggested that the report being requested should include comments and concerns from the taxi operators who would be affected by any new standards that may be introduced.
EARTH HOUR
The town of Perth is to participate in the third annual World Wildlife Federation Earth Hour, scheduled for Saturday, March 27. As a visible symbol of support for the event, lights at the Perth Town Hall will be turned off from 8:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. on that day.
CHAMBER REPORT
Perth and District Chamber of Commerce representatives provided the committee with a regular quarterly update on the chamber's activities. Jim Kerriush, tourism committee chair, accompanied by co-manager Madeleine Bouvier, noted that the chamber is working on plans for the 2010 Festival of the Maples, as well as a cycling rodeo planned for May 16 at Conlon Farm. The event will include a scavenger hunt through the town for participating cyclists. Councillor Beth Peterkin said the chamber's cycling committee has been working hard to organize the rodeo, which "ties into the environmental initiatives of the town."
BIA BUDGET
Downtown Business Improvement Area (BIA) coordinator Heather Hansgen appeared before the committee to present the BIA's draft budget for 2010. The BIA is requested three per cent more funding than in 2009, an increase of $2,285. A motion to accept the draft budget was approved.
HERITAGE PROPERTIES
The committee approved a recommendation that the town pass nine new by-laws to amend the heritage designations of nine properties: St. James Anglican Church, Robertson Music Hall, Matheson House, Code's Mill, Rockcliff Cottage, the Sheriff's House, Perth Town Hall, St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church, and the Perth Public Library.
VOLUNTARY TOLL
The 11th annual Canadian National Institute for the Blind (CNIB) "toll bridge" fundraiser is set for 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Saturday, May 8. In a letter dated Jan. 27, the CNIB requested council's permission to "temporarily stop up and close" the Drummond Street and Gore Street bridges on that date in order to hold the fundraiser.
GAS TAX
The extension of federal gas tax funding to municipalities is expected to provide an annual allotment of $181,197.22 to the town of Perth from 2010 to 2013. Federal gas tax revenues have been transferred to Ontario municipalities since 2005, when the New Deal for Cities and Communities was approved. The Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO) negotiated the agreement on behalf of the province's local municipalities. In 2009 Perth receives $195,056.29 in gas tax revenue.
MAYOR GOING SOUTH
Mayor Fenik advised the committee he will be on vacation from March 13-21. Deputy Mayor John Gemmell will be filling in for him at the next council meeting, which falls March 16.
ANNIVERSARY COMING UP
Councillor Eric Devlin and town Chief Administrative Officer Tim Simpson advised councillors that funding may be available to assist with local ceremonies to mark the 200th anniversary of the War of 1812, coming up in a couple of years.
"We are a direct result, along the Rideau Canal, of the War of 1812," said Simpson. The military settlement which became the town of Perth was founded in 1816. The committee approved a motion to direct town staff to prepare a report on potential funding for anniversary events.
WASTE CONTRACT
The committee approved a contract to be signed with Tomlinson Environmental Services Ltd. for integrated waste collection and processing.
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