Trash talk turns up at council meeting
Posted Feb 10, 2010 05:28:13 AM.
This article is more than 5 years old.
HRM council is dealing with some curbside concerns.
Regional councillors addressed the issue of extending a weekly green bin pickup program, and also discussed using blue bags for leaves and other yard waste.
Coun. Linda Mosher (Purcell’s Cove-Armdale) says residents want to be allowed to use the clear blue bags – which are currently reserved for recyclables – to collect their leaves.
“Many residents have contacted me saying the bags are inexpensive and they have them in their homes,” said Mosher. “There’s no cost, this makes sense, it’s clear, there’s leaves or there’s not leaves.”
A staff report says changing the rules could be costly, but Coun. Russell Walker (Fairview-Clayton Park) isn’t buying.
“I find it very difficult to stand here and accept it will cost more to pick up a blue bag than an orange bag,” Walker said.
Coun. Bill Karsten (Portland-East Woodlawn) said the change is pointless.
“I see this as adding nothing but confusion, and I will not support it,” he said.
Council ended up moving the issue to the solid waste committee for further review.
Mosher also asked councillors to extend weekly summer green bin pickup, starting in mid-June and running to mid-September, at a cost of $350,000.
Coun. Steve Streatch (Eastern Shore-Musquodoboit Valley) said that was a cost that can’t be justified.
“This is a year to tighten our belts,” he said. “I think this is the wrong way and I’m voting against it.”
Council agreed to move that idea ahead to the budget process.
