County councillor Lou Maieron says all that is missing for the establishment of a new recycling centre in town here is funding, but it appears there are several other issues that need to be addressed before such an idea proceeds.
Appearing as a delegation on June 15, Maieron told Erin council his request for $10,000 for a two-year trial “re-use” store is “not going anywhere too quick” at county council.
And while several business owners said they may contribute, Maieron wondered if the town would be willing to help out.
“It’s not a lot of money,” he said, noting East Wellington Community Services (EWCS) could run the recycle facility. “I think it would be successful in our community.”
However, EWCS president David Robart-Morgan said he is currently not prepared to offer any commitment from the organization.
“I believe the community needs it,” Robart-Morgan said. “[But] this isn’t a snap decision.”
He explained EWCS first needs the funding approved and then to complete a business model for the store. Plus, he stressed, the EWCS board is very concerned about having the manpower to run the store, especially considering many of its volunteers are overworked as it is.
“We’ve committed to looking into the feasibility of doing this, but we haven’t committed to doing it,” he said.
Councillor Barb Tocher said the town can’t just give away thousands of dollars without a business plan, and councillor Josie Wintersinger said she would like some time to consider the request.
Councillor Ken Chapman, on the other hand, voiced his support for the idea and wondered if the town and the community could fund $5,000 each.
“These are services the people in town look forward to having in the town,” Chapman said.
At least one councillor suggested EWCS could partner with a local service club to mitigate the effects on volunteers.
Robart-Morgan said he will try to develop a business plan for the town, but stressed any assumptions or suggestions that EWCS is committed to operating a recycle facility amount to just “hot air.”
There also appears to be some unanswered questions surrounding the proposed location for the facility – near Erin Auto Recyclers.
