ERIN – The possibility of a bylaw to temporarily ban commercial water taking is one in a series of environmental issues that have come to the attention of Erin council.
Councillor John Brennan, representing the town’s environment and sustainability committee, put forward a notice of motion on Sept. 17 to have staff research the feasibility of an interim control bylaw to temporarily prohibit future water taking in the town.
Council approved the motion at the Oct. 1 meeting.
Brennan said he believes it is unlikely the province would allow any local control over existing facilities, such as the Nestlé well near Hillsburgh, but it would be valuable for the town to know its authority over future wells.
“This is of interest to a significant contingent of our population,” said Brennan.
His motion says the town has an interest in controlling the use of single-use plastics, since most of the water bottles generated by local water taking end up in landfill sites or as litter, and not in recycling.
Council directed staff to report on the issue by next February.
An actual decision on a bylaw would be a separate process, and Brennan said council would then have to assess the legal risks of taking such an action.
Single-use plastics
Erin council received a report on Sept. 17 from its environment and sustainability committee outlining possible local steps that could help reduce the use of single-use plastics.
No action was approved, but councillors were positive about public education and directed staff to report on the practicality of various ideas.
Mayor Allan Alls put forward two notices of motion, to be considered on Oct. 1: one to investigate the town’s ability to reduce single use plastics in municipal facilities, with a report by February, and the other to include a fund of about $2,000 in 2020 for an educational campaign.
The motions were approved Oct. 1.
The committee had suggested a campaign to show residents how to reduce the use of single-use plastics, which include water bottles, straws and plastic bags.
The committee also supported a joint effort with Wellington County waste services to increase recycling and decrease the amount of plastics rejected from the blue box program because of batches contaminated by the inclusion of improper items.
“We’re going to research these and come back with something more definitive,” said Alls.
Brennan said one of the challenges for the county is “teaching people what’s recyclable and what’s not”. He said an education initiative is “low-hanging fruit which is productive and relatively easy to do.”
Councillor Michael Robins said education would be “something we can do and make a difference – a tremendous first step”.
The town could work with downtown businesses, public event organizers and schools on programs to reduce single-use plastics.
Longer-term options suggested by the committee include a complete ban on single-use plastics in municipal facilities, or even bylaws to restrict or ban them everywhere in the town.
Downtown upkeep
In response to a motion by Robins, town staff will prepare a report on maintenance in the downtown areas of Hillsburgh and Erin village.
“There is a universal desire to have our downtown areas clean and welcoming to all visitors,” said Robins, “But it is not clear who is to do what.”
He wants to clarify responsibilities under town bylaws, and said enforcement provisions should be taken if necessary if landlords or owners of vacant buildings are not carrying out required tasks.
Staff informed council that while the road allowance is under county authority, the town is responsible for sidewalks, and while there is a property standards bylaw for private properties, there is no bylaw covering maintenance of public land.
Staff will report on issues such as grass cutting, weed removal, watering flowers and collecting litter. Robins also requested quarterly reports on compliance.
Vehicle charging
The Town of Erin is offering support in principle to a private firm applying for a federal grant to install two electric vehicle (EV) charging stations at McMillan Park in downtown Erin.
If Baseload Power Corp. is successful in getting the grant, the town would enter a lease agreement with the company.
The town would receive rent equal to 3% of the first $20,000 of net revenue, 5% of the next $20,000 and 10% of all revenue above $40,000.
The federal government has been accepting applications for its zero-emission vehicle infrastructure program, which provides 50% funding for level two charging stations, which can charge an EV battery in four to five hours.
If the project goes ahead, Erin would be included in the EV charging corridor across Southern Ontario.
