Township to pick up tab for extra garbage pickup in downtown Fergus, Elora

CENTRE WELLINGTON – The township has worked out a deal with Wellington County to resume once-a-week garbage pickup in downtown Elora and Fergus.

But it will cost the township an additional $8,000 a year, council heard at its June 26 meeting.

“With the initiation of the County of Wellington’s green bin program in the summer of 2020, the frequency of waste collection was reduced from weekly service, to every other week,” states the report from community development manager Kristen Drexler.

“This has proven to be a challenge for the businesses and residents in the Fergus and Elora downtown cores.”

Businesses complained about garbage piling up and attracting rodents.

It was unsightly and smelly and unhealthy, they said.

The Fergus BIA hired its own waste removal service in a pilot project last year and the Elora BIA formed a task force to deal with its unique situation.

“Why should the township take this cost?” asked councillor Bronwynne Wilton. “It seems the county should provide the service.”

“There was a need to work on this quickly,” answered Mayor Shawn Watters.

CAO Dan Wilson said the county views this as a service level increase.

“So we are responsible for 2023. But it’s worth further conversation” before the 2024 budget is set, he said.

According to Wellington County, it will cost an additional $195 a week to service downtown Fergus and an extra $460 a week for Elora.

Council approved the agreement.