Aggregate fees are set to double as of July 1, says Puslinch Mayor Dennis Lever.
Lever noted he had a conference call with Ministry of Natural Resources staff in Peterborough a few prior to the April 5 council meeting.
At that time, he was told this remains an interim step.
“I want to stress this is nowhere near where the fees need to get to,” said Lever.
However, he added it would allow the township to recognize some improvement to the fee for next year’s schedule (payments are made in six month intervals). Lever said he’s spoken to aggregate industry representatives who feel the implementation of the new fees is too quick.
Councillor Susan Fielding asked what extra revenue would be generated.
Mayor Lever said currently the township gets about $200,000, so that would make it roughly $400,000.
However the mayor stressed the actual amount is determined by the amount of material extracted.
He agreed the amount of money generated is significant, “it is just not near where it needs to be.”
Councillor John Sepulis suggested sending a letter stating this is a good first step, but that the township expected to see more.
Lever said he would be responding on behalf of TAPMO (Top 10 Aggregate Producing Municipalities in Ontario). He suggested it would be beneficial for council to pass a resolution recognizing this as an interim step.
Councillor Ken Roth expressed concern over material recycling not being included in tonnage figures.
Lever agreed it was proposed by the revised act but had yet to be passed.
Roth pointed out that should it pass, it means the more recycling at a site, the less fees would be generated.
“But the impact to our roads would remain the same,” Roth said.
“Our roads will get beat up twice as bad, because there will not only be product going out – but materials coming in.”
Roth said in municipalities such as Puslinch where there are so many gravel pit, “I think we should try to get (only) one location designated for recycling.”
The idea would be to protect at least some of the township’s roads.
Lever said the industry is stating it does not want to recycled materials included in its tonnage limits.
“The conversations I’ve had with the ministry – they are not too receptive to that change,” said Lever
Councillor Matthew Bulmer agreed with Roth in that the municipal levy should recognize the impact on the roads, as, “It only makes sense.”
