Mayor Charbonneau declared the public meeting open and indicated the purpose of the public meeting.
Mayor Charbonneau asked if any members of the public would like to address the Council on this matter.
Matt Nelson and Andrea Nelson of GEI Consulting presented information regarding the project.
Al Wilson, a member of the public, raised concerns regarding the potential flight path impacts to the privately-owned Southampton Airport, increased seagulls, and questioned if Transport Canada had reviewed the Plan.
Heather Starrs, a member of the public, raised a concern regarding the potential impacts to neighbouring residents with water run-off each spring.
Rick M, a member of the public, raised a concern regarding the compost area location.
There were no other members of the public wanting to speak to Council, in person or via Zoom.
There were no additional written submissions.
Council members had the following clarifying questions:
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A question was raised regarding the size of the landfill. The landfill property is L-shaped. The southeast portion is approximately 20-hectares, within which the existing approved landfill footprint of 13.7-hectares is located. An additional area of approximately 60-hectares is located to the west and northwest. The total size of the landfill property is about 80-hectares. An additional area of about 20-hectares of town-owned land is located to the north of the existing landfill footprint. This area is not part of the landfill property.
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A question was raised regarding third-party trucking for the transportation of specific waste. It was noted that the Environmental Assessment (EA) is being completed to specifically address the management of residual waste.
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A question was raised regarding the rejection of the incineration option. An incinerator would require an investment of greater than $300 Million. These facilities require at least 100,000 tonnes of waste annually to be economically and operationally feasible. This is greater than 10 times the quantity currently managed by the Town.
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A question was raised about the management of Source Separated Organics (i.e., Green Bin program). The EA is focused on the management of residual waste. However, waste diversion opportunities will continue to be explored. A feasibility study for the management of the Town’s organic waste is being proposed for 2025.
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A question was raised regarding the potential for a new landfill site. It was reiterated that if the Proposed Terms of Reference is approved by the MECP, the alternative to establish a new landfill site will no longer need to be considered in the EA. Further, implementation of any waste management alternative would require both Town support (i.e., approval) and support from the MECP and agencies though various approvals/permits.
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A question was raised regarding the mitigation of birds. A covering practice assists with the mitigation of birds, along with other diligent operation practices to avoid the exposure of birds.
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A question was raised regarding the additional lands owned by the municipality as indicated in Figure No. 4-1. This section has been deemed unsuitable or screened out from development based on natural environment restrictions for landfill operations.
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A question was raised regarding if providing an alternative option was mandated. It was confirmed that alternatives must be considered, which is part of the screening process to review possible alternative locations.
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A question was raised on how much it would cost the Town to transport waste. The standard rate is $120 a tonne. The Town is currently producing approximately 7,000 tonnes per year which amounts to an estimated $840,000 a year. The maximizing of diversion will still be necessary.
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A question was raised regarding what may be anticipated for residual waste once full producer responsibility comes into effect (i.e., blue box). Provincial waste diversion policies and programs are sector specific and include the Residential Sector and the Industrial, Commercial and Institutional (IC&I) Sector. However, in small municipalities past waste diversion achieved by the IC&I sector was supported to varying degrees by the municipality through municipal diversion programs established for the residential sector. Under the individual producer responsibility (IPR) framework, diversion of waste from the IC&I sector will be more difficult to achieve, as the Program currently targets residential diversion. In the short-term the Town may see an increase in residual waste associated with the lack of diversion opportunities (i.e., programs and policies) available to the IC&I sector.
In the absence of any further questions, Mayor Charbonneau declared the public meeting closed.
Council had the following questions or comments:
- A question was raised regarding an appropriate time to have discussions on waste diversion. Source-separated organics have been under review for a few years with Program rollouts such as the Green Bin Program and Food Cycler Program.
- There may be new opportunities for waste diversion in the coming years.