Mayor Tom Rose paying for waste tonnage going to central Newfoundland before that service is in place is wrong.
The Western Regional Waste Management Committee is charging a fee for the shipment but the waste is not yet going to the facility in Norris Arm.
Rose said any time council has to pass on charges to taxpayers it creates hardship on businesses and residents, especially this hike from $64 to $175.
“The problem is they’re (Western Regional Waste Management) not doing that year, so why do we have to pay on the shoulders of our taxpayers? This is just lining the pockets of that organization and hurting our economy.”
Coun. Mark Felix, chair of Stephenville town council’s finance committee, suggested the town write Municipal Affairs and Environment about the issue.
He said council should outline there is no extra cost at this time and since the increase took place in July, that the town instead ask for a reimbursement.
Felix had the backing of all members of the Stephenville town council in attendance.
Coun. Mike Tobin said if the implementation of the program was in place as outlined it would make sense. With the backing of council, Tobin said he will also bring the issue to the Municipalities Newfoundland and Labrador annual conference being held in Gander in early October.
Josh Carey, chairperson of the Western Regional Service Board which operates as Western Regional Waste Management, said he wouldn’t comment on the concerns of the Stephenville town council members until he heard from council.
“The town council should contact us directly and we will answer their questions,” he said.
