All Treat Farms Limited, the Township of Wellington North, and the Guelph district office of the Ministry of the Environment have agreed to jointly implement a community engagement program to deal with odour issues periodically caused at the composting operations at All Treat Farms in Arthur.
On Monday night, Robb Ogilvie, hired as an independent public facilitator, presented the first stage of plans for the program.
Ogilvie, is a managing partner with the firm of Ogilvie, Ogilvie and Associates, and a seasoned facilitator.
For the past 28 years, he has developed a consulting practice based on conflict resolution and consensus development, approaches to thorny public policy issues, vision processes, scientific and technical problem solving, and change management.
His respect for all viewpoints and ability to get people with divergent views to reason together, has resulted in a solid record of success. Prior to founding the company in 1978, he was the Director of Standards and Programs in the Ontario Ministry of Labour.
Ogilvie presented a short slide show about the plan to address odour issues.
Also at the meeting were All Treat owners George and Lynda White, along with representatives of the Ministry of the Environment.
Ogilvie said, “We work to find common ground and creative solutions.” However he also stated there are no cookie cutter solutions or magic bullets.
“We try to come up with creative solutions which are outside the box,” he said.
His hiring followed a letter of agreement between the township, All Treat, and the MOE.
Ogilvie said the current initiative has two main parts.
The first is the creation of the odour action plan that would work to further minimize odour emissions. It could include the elimination of screening materials on days when the wind is from the south, which contributes to off-site odours.
Another step would be to implement phase two of the GoreTex membrane system, which covers materials being composted.
He stated the system is the one that least contributes to odours, and the recommends it be used to treat the most easily biodegradable items to improve the system.
Other items such as woodchips could still be composted in piles.
However, Ogilvie said those are just some of the issues to be considered by the committee.
The second aspect is the community engagement plan. The intent is to make the process fair, transparent and informed.
Ogilvie said the process must be based on facts, not innuendo or rumour.
He agreed that even though he is being paid by All Treat, his marching orders come through All Treat, the township and the MOE.
“I’m responsible for the integrity of this process,” he said.
He said if he discovered any party is not acting appropriately, he would call them on it.
Ogilvie wants the advisory committee to represent 360 degrees of opinion and be composed of people willing to work to find a solution. He stressed the committee is not about airing grievances, but finding solutions.
Ogilvie’s team also plans to begin surveying residents over the next few weeks in order to get a baseline opinion from them. That information, he said, will help determine if any actions taken have positive effects.
Ogilvie also wants to hold periodic information forums later in the process to inform residents and he said a website is also planned to provide that information.
As for Wellington North council’s response, councillor Ross Chaulk said, “We’ll wait and see, but it sounds interesting.”
Mayor Mike Broomhead said council is aware of the issue because they are the ones getting the phone calls.
“Hopefully, we can come up with a great solution.” He said the Whites and the MOE have been very cooperative.
Ogilvie realized that 18 members is a large committee, but it should ensure good discussion on all the issues.
Following recruitment of four members of the public, Ogilvie hopes the first meeting happens before Christmas.
