There is inequity in leaf and yard waste pickup service across the municipality with some areas, such as Thamesville, Tilbury and Ridgetown currently having bagged leaf and yard waste pickup as well as brush and leaf curbside pickup, while others, such as Wallaceburg, Dresden and Chatham, don’t have any of those services, with residents having to bring leaf and yard waste to local waste depots.
After contentious debate, Chatham-Kent council agreed at their meeting earlier this week to continue to provide the service to communities that already have it.
The service is area-rated, with residents who have the leaf and yard waste pickup service paying for it through their property taxes.
Administration was looking to standardize service levels across Chatham-Kent but was met with opposition from a number of councillors.
Councillor Mark Authier says people are frustrated that the service was even on the chopping block.
“People are paying for it, it’s not costing Chatham-Kent money, it’s paid for,” Authier says.
Councillor John Wright says taxpayers are content to pay for the service.
“The communities that have them want to keep them and there are no savings or additional costs for taxpayers,” says Councillor Steve Pinsonneault.
Council voted in favour of having administration look at a comparable and affordable eco-friendly alternative service program to manage leaf and yard waste to be put in place for next year.