Special council meeting called for August 23

Oversized garbage piling up in Gatineau; council divided on solution

Summer is here and with it goes a lot of construction work and moves across Gatineau. Many residents put their bulky refuse and construction residue in front of their residence, thinking it will be picked up with the regular City garbage collection.

Oversized garbage is that which is too big to fit into a garbage bin. Tree branches, softwood lumber, mattresses or sofas are among the most common bulky refuse. Many residents have recently reported visual pollution with mattresses and sofas on the side of streets in Gatineau.

New regulation since July 15

A new regulation is in effect since July 15, prohibiting bulky refuse in domestic waste. From now on, they will only be collected four times a year. A brochure on the new regulation was mailed to all Gatineau citizens.

Whenever bulky refuse is left in front of a residence for a long period, the garbage collectors can issue courtesy notices but the City will be the one issuing fines, says the Gatineau Communications Department.

Residents outraged by the view of bulky refuse in front of their neighbours’ residences can file a complaint via the City’s 3-1-1 number. Gatineau plans on issuing fines to those who do not respect the new regulation and leave bulky refuse in front of their residence for a long period of time.

Residents can dispose of their bulky refuse at the City’s Ecocentre or at its Waste Transfer Centre, located at 860, de la Carrière Boulevard, in the Hull sector. The ecocentre accepts construction, renovation and demolition residues, sorted or not. The centre also accepts dangerous domestic residue and electronic products, all at no cost. A second ecocentre is located in the east of the city, at 26 Pierre-Ménard Street.

For items like mattresses and sofas, however, the Waste Transfer Centre charges a  minimum fee of $50.

The City recommends that citizens either recycle or find a second use for furniture or other objects they don’t use anymore. Some charitable organizations in the region do collect metal or electronic bulky refuse that is in good condition.

Reusable articles can be picked up by the City when citizens call 3-1-1. But non-reusable articles will not be picked up with the regular garbage collection.

Aylmer councillors’ concerns

Aylmer officials all say they have concerns with the present situation and are available to answer citizens’ questions. They know the situation is unsettling and unusual.

“Many Deschênes residents will have garbage from the floods of a few weeks ago,” says Deschênes District Councillor Mike Duggan. “Elected officials must discuss the current problems with this crisis in order to find viable solutions for all,” according to him.

Audrey Bureau, Aylmer District Councillor, has noticed bulky refuse here and there in her ward. Without question, she is open to an emergency meeting to discuss this matter before the next regular council meeting.

 

Gilles Chagnon, Lucerne District Councillor, also thinks this situation is of concern. “With the new by-law in effect July 15, we want to force people to change their habits. The councillor also believes that an ecocentre and a waste transfer centre in Aylmer would help residents of the sector. Mr Chagnon intends to eventually propose a solution to other elected municipal officials.

“As for the new bulky refuse policy, the City must find a solution to better meet the needs and concerns of citizens”, he states.

Special council meeting on August 23

Regarding the hot bulky refuse file, a special council meeting is planned before the August 28 regular council meeting, on August 23. A few council members were asking for a special meeting.

Maude Marquis-Bissonnette, Plateau District Councillor and Chair of the Commission sur le développement du territoire, l’habitation et l’environnement, is studying the situation closely. She is open to reviewing the minimum $50 fee for the waste transfer centre. “Elected officials could possibly consider eliminating those fees during the August 28 meeting after the holidays,” she says.

“People with specific concerns can call 3-1-1 and we will find a solution with them,” says the Plateau Councillor. “For the time being, the situation is not worrying; we intervene in important cases and will continue to do so.”

To end the dispute, the Major cannot make a decision on his own without the council members.

Getting rid of bulky refuse... in Aylmer

You want to get rid of bulky refuse; you don’t want to wait until October; and, you don’t want to have to drive to Hull? There is a private company here in Aylmer offering the service. The Centre de Tri RMSO, 815 Vernon Street, accepts all kinds of bulky refuse except batteries, paint cans, tires and toxic products. Minimum fee is $40 and there is a $5 extra charge for mattresses and sofas. The Centre de Tri RMSO is open from 7 am to 7 pm, Monday to Friday.

It is therefore a bit less expensive to go to this private establishment rather than to the City’s waste transfer centre located at 860 de la Carrière Boulevard.
(Trans.: CB)