WHERE TIRES ARE A SPECIALTY, NOT A SIDELINE. Farm - Auto - Truck - Industrial - Lawn & Garden - On The Farm Service
35 Howard Ave., ELMIRA, ON | 519-669-3232
03 | 09 | 2017 VOLUME 22 | ISSUE 10
WEAVING HER WAY INTO RETIREMENT VENTURE PAGE 14
COMMENT PAGE 6
CAUTION NEEDED IN SPENDING ON CYCLING PLANS
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Reversing course, Woolwich turns down on-farm business’ expansion bid STEVE KANNON
Driver trainer Steve Standish of Emterra Environmental demonstrates the new waste collection methods at the region’s Erb Street landfill site in Waterloo on Mar. 3.
Visible changes as new garbage collection system takes to the streets
LIZ BEVAN PICK-UP SCHEDULES AREN’T THE only things changing this week with the region’s new waste management plan. Along with a different garbage and recycling schedule, residents of Wellesley and Woolwich townships will be seeing new waste vehicles on the roads as of this morning. The new trucks came along with new waste man-
[LIZ BEVAN / THE OBSERVER]
agement provider, Emterra Environmental, and allow for fewer trucks on the road, streamlining garbage and recycling pick-up. Cari Rastas Howard, a project manager with waste management at the Region of Waterloo, notes things are going to look a little different. “The newest thing for the townships are the cocollection trucks. It looks GARBAGE | 28
DECIDING AN ON-FARM BUSINESS was too much business, not enough farming, Woolwich councillors reversed course on last week’s decision to approve expansion plans at Wellington Fertilizer. The business operates on a farm property at 7021 Sideroad 5 W. owned by Robert Brubacher, who requested a zone change to increase the amount of space available for his fertilizer-packaging business. The plan was to allow for the processing of de-icing salt during the summer downtime. Absent from last week’s discussion, Coun. Mark Bauman argued Tuesday night that the fertilizer operation already appears to be the principal use on the property. The addition of salt processing can’t be seen as farm-related, making the venture even more of an “industrial use.” Noting the operation has previously been granted permission to expand in scope, Coun. Mark Bauman argued the latest changes make the situation even more prob-
lematic. “We’ve gone down the slippery slope too far on this one.” His reservations were shared by Coun. Patrick Merlihan, who expressed concerns about the growing size of what is supposed to be a business to supplement the farm income. “It does have a negative impact on the neighbours,” he said of the operation. With Coun. Larry Shantz on side, the vote to turn down the decision made at the Feb. 28 committee-ofthe-whole meeting passed by a 3-2 margin, with Coun. Murray Martin having removed himself after declaring a pecuniary interest in the matter. The reversal leaves the township in a bit of a legal bind if Brubacher opts to appeal the decision to the Ontario Municipal Board. Planning staff having recommended approval of the zone change, Woolwich would have to hire an outside planning consultant to defend its position at the quasi-judicial hearing, noted director of engineering and planning Dan Kennaley.
Information & Active Living Fair This event is hosted by The Township of Woolwich in partnership with the Older Adult Centres’ Association of Ontario (OACAO) and sponsored by the Ontario Seniors’ Secretariat.
Join us for this FREE event!
Tuesday, March 28, 2017 Speakers, displays, 9 am - 1:30 pm Breslau Community Centre 100 Andover Drive Breslau
door prizes and lunch included!
RSVP BY MARCH 24 · 519-664-1900 OR 1-855-664-1900