A regular meeting of the Weyburn City Council was held on May 10; here are the major points of interest:
*Council is considering switching to an Automated Refuse Collection system in the New Year.
Engineering Assistant Jesse Watamanuk gave councillors a presentation about the new system and its benefits to the City. He explained that an automated system would reduce injuries to workers and speed-up garbage collection.
Currently, the estimated pick-up rate is 750 households per day, while the new system would see 1,000 to 1,200 household pick-ups per day.
Under the system, each household would receive one 430-litre (95-gallon) plastic container for their weekly garbage. The containers would then be placed at the front of the house beside the street. Back lane pick-up would be discontinued. A new automated truck would then pick-up the container and dump its contents into the truck.
Watamanuk also indicated that the new system could encourage recycling as residents could only submit as much refuse as the bins allow, which will be about five garbage bags. Bags that are not held within the container will not be accepted.
Residents will be encouraged to take their yard waste to the compost pile at the City Landfill and recycle paper and cardboard at the City bins near SARCAN.
Whether or not residents may be able to purchase a second bin is still up for discussion.
Watamanuk said that bylaws will be put in place regarding when the bins may be placed in-front of residences and when they must be brought back to the property.
Watamanuk explained that the cost of the new system would be absorbed by the City.
Councillor Bill Rudachyk indicated that the biggest obstacle the City faces with the new system is people`s resistance to change.
"I think this needs to be given a fair chance," said Rudachyk.
The City is encouraging feedback from residents about the Automated Refuse Collection by contacting the Engineering Department.
*The Clean-up Committee has secured Environment Minister Nancy Heppner as the celebrity judge for the Golden Garbage Can competition against Estevan. The competition will be judged on June 21.
*Clif Anderson received a tax concession to build a new four-bay multi-tenant shop building at 1524 Regina Avenue, NW. The project will create rental suites geared towards attracting oil industry business. The concession granted by the City will see 100 percent tax concession during the first year of construction and subsequent years will see 75, 50 and 25 percent concessions, respectively.
