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HomeMy WebLinkAboutWD-18-861� TOWN OF NEWCASTLE REPORT File # Res. # By -Law # THE GENERAL PURPOSE AND ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE FEBRUARY 3, 1986 WD -18 -86 FILE #: GARBAGE COLLECTION AND SNOW REMOVAL - STRIKE AVENUE, BOWMANVILLE RECOMMENDATIONS: It is respectfully recommended: 1. That this report be received for information; and, 2. That a copy of this report be forwarded to Carol Bromell, 23 Strike Avenue, Bowmanville. BACKGROUND: Residents of Strike Avenue submitted a complaint and petition through Councillor H. McKnight with respect to Garbage Collection services in the Bowmanville Urban Area during the Christmas /New Years Holiday Season. As well, petitioners took the opportunity to express their concerns with respect to snow removal. G.P.A. #48 -86 resolved that the petition be received and referred to the Director of Public Works for comment and subsequent report. ....2 Page 2 Report No. WD -18 -86 All Public Works Departments involved in garbage collection services have the standard problem associated with rescheduling garbage pickups to accommodate Statutory Holidays and the Town of Newcastle is no exception. Prior to the holiday season, Town staff, in Report WD- 69 -85, recommended that the Bowmanville garbage collection routing be altered to conform to the by -law and ultimately provide a new foundation for a more efficient municipal operation. The recommendations were proposed such that commercial collection would be on Monday and statutory holidays which most often fall on Mondays, would not interfere with residential pickup and rescheduling and advertising costs would be minimized. Report WD -76 -85 dealt specifically with the garbage collection services to be provided during the Christmas holiday season. In summary, commercial pick up was to be provided as usual and each resident would miss one (1) garbage collection between Christmas Day and New Year's Day. The major problem with any change in normal service is advertising and providing adequate notification. In 1984/85 Christmas season, the department suspended garbage collection to accommodate the holidays and found the alternative to be reasonably successful. Based on past performance, the department recommended the same procedure and advertised the change in the local newspapers. Although residents of Strike Avenue feel the level of service during the holidays was not satisfactory, the department avoided costly overtime and additional rental costs for extra fleet which, collectively, affects the total garbage service budget and taxes. Page 3 Report No. WD -18 -86 During the period from December 23rd, 1985 to January 6th, 1986, the following garbage collection services were performed: Monday, December 23/85 - Regular Pickup - Commercial Tuesday, December 24/85 - Regular Pickup - 1/2 day Statutory Holiday Wednesday, December 25/85 - No Pickup - Christmas Day Thursday, December 26/85 - No Pickup - Boxing Day Friday, December 27/85 - No Pickup - Snow Removal Activites Monday, December 30/85 - Regular Pickup - Commercial Tuesday, December 31/85 - No Pickup - 1/2 day Statutory Holiday Wednesday, January 1/86 - No Pickup - New Year's Day Thursday, January 2/86 - Regular Pickup - Wednesday & Thursday Routes Friday, January 3/86 - Regular Pickup - Return to normal schedule During the above period, garbage collection services were suspended for one and one -half (1 1/2) regular working days and employees were utilized on winter maintainence related activities. With respect to snow removal on Strike Avenue, Division staff have advised that parked cars on Strike Avenue have interfered with snow removal operations on several occassions and trucks were unable to pass through. Staff have been instructed to leave a street plugged with vehicles rather than wait for police to have the cars removed, however, later in the day when cars have been removed, ploughing operations may continue. ....4 Page 4 Report No. WD -18 -86 With respect to the sidewalks on Vanstone Bridge and Roenigk Drive, they are maintained by the Town's Sidewalk Maintenance Contractor. When snow and ice build up on the bridge, staff remove it during downtown clean up operations. The petitioners also advise that several phone calls were made with respect to the above complaints. When possible, the Town Hall Switchboard is advised of matters where the public will be making enquiries. Other enquiries are received at the Hampton Office or are directed through the Town Hall switchboard to the Hampton Office. The Bowmanville Yard, as well as the other divisions, are not set up to receive complaints and enquiries or to respond to requests as no specific employees are assigned to the telephone. Phones are answered only when staff are working inside and are utilized primarily for internal calls. We do recognize the inadequacy of the present communication system and would favour an upgrading of the telephone system. In summary, staff will give consideration to an alternate and more effective method of communciation with the Public in future holiday seasons. Respectfully submitted, R.G. upuis, Eng., Director of Public Works. DTG:jco January 25, 1986.