While council here offered an empathetic ear, they are not prepared to initiate a full-fledge fill moratorium without more information from staff.
Anna Spiteri, representing Citizens Against Fill Dumping was before council on Jan. 21 outlining the reasons the group believes “There is an urgent and dire need for a moratorium on fill in Town of Erin.”
She said 2013 had ended on a hopeful note, with council consideration of the fill issue in the town of Erin.
“We thank council for the political will to deal with this issue head on.”
Spiteri said the presentation made last December by works superintendent Larry VanWyck provided a true picture of the negative impact of unregulated fill within Erin.
“The public now knows the devastating damage created by haulage trucks to local bridges and roads. All residents should now realize these fill sites affect not only the immediate neighbours, and those along the haulage route, but every resident in the town of Erin because of the impact to our taxes n – to cover the costs of infrasture damages.”
Spiteri noted the citizen’s group recently renewed its commitment to “stay the course until council has responsibly deal with the problem of unregulated fill being dumped into the Town of Erin.”
She noted the group had talked with county representatives on the potential of a county-wide fill bylaw but was told that it was in the midst of being advised on the legality of such a move.
“We’re here to ask for your continued leadership.”
She said the Ministry of Environment clearly stated that municipalities and conservation authorities are responsible for developing bylaws, issuing fill permits and enforcement.
“Please realize, the buck stops with you,” Spiteri said.
While the citizens group applauds council for its serious consideration of a moratorium on fill, “it is an urgent and dire need.”
Spiteri said the dumping of fill is escalating within Erin.
She said “a temporary moratorium will stop fill coming in while providing adequate and necessary time for a thorough investigation of the best method to enforce fill under the jurisdiction of Erin council.
She agreed, “without stringent enforcement – a bylaw is meaningless.”
Spiteri added that this move would also bring the issue front and centre to the attention of both the public and politicians at all levels of government.
“If more moratoriums were brought in by municipalities, the groundswell would pressure the province into legislative change.”
She believed citizen group members have valuable insights to offer from a grassroots perspective.
Group members also ask that the town establish an ad hoc committee to deal with the issue.
Such as committee will consist of councillors, members Citizens Against Fill Dumping and appropriate staff.
The committee would, within a timeline defined by council, report with its findings and recommendations.
The mandate of this group would be to bring a set of recommendations that would establish a strong fill bylaw.
“We know what we have is not working.”
At the same time, Spiteri said there is no need to reinvent the wheel.
She believed there are effective bylaws out there.
“It is obvious that money is driving the fill problem.”
She asked what would happen if the monetary incentives were removed.
“We should look at a profit-neutral outcome for fill – and fill recipients would receive no payment to accept fill.”
She said, the money would be directed towards administration, enforcement officers, soils testing, peer reviews, and money set aside to repair any municipal infrastructure damage.
“It’s hard to believe there were no site alteration applications in 2013 and only one in 2012.”
But since Citizens Against Fill Dumping began last year, “we have verified at least five fill dumping sites.”
She is concerned with the number of fill operations happening without permits.
Councillor Josie Wintersinger said this is not just a problem in Erin, but all around.
She suggested if an ad hoc committee was created, it should include other municipalities.
“I feel we can sit in our little box and make our little changes, but this is not just our problem so we have to reach out further.”
While Spiteri agreed it would be a great way to force the government to deal with the issue at the proper level, she felt municipalities need a leader.
“I hope our municipality would be that leader.”
She hoped to make a presentation to Wellington County and get all its members on board as well.
“It would definitely be a stronger voice.”
Councillor Barb Tocher anticipated a staff report on a moratorium would be coming to council shortly to determine whether such an approach is viable.
Tocher agreed the ad hoc committee approach was a good idea, to work towards a solution.
While understanding the wish to have other municipalities involved, she said, “I do think we’re going to have to go it alone.
“Somebody has to move forward,” she said.
Mayor Lou Maieron said the group has come before council a number of times.
“We all understand the question and that it not just an Erin problem.”
He said much of the land in Erin is regulated through the Grand River Conservation Authority and Credit Valley Conservation.
Maieron also said the fill issue is spreading.
He made a motion that Erin host a multi-jurisdictional meeting inviting the MOE, MNR, GRCA, CVC, local MPPs and local municipal representatives.
“It’s difficult for council to answer questions which are the mandate of other parties.”
Maieron believes the province needs to step in since it is their policies which created the situation.
Tocher stated he wanted to make it clear the meeting would be in addition to what Spiteri asked for.
Maieron added that until council receives a report on the pros and cons of a moratorium, there will not be a decision.
Council did agree to the creation of the ad hoc committee.
