Saying it's too costly and discourages recycling, Windsor city council has voted 6-5 against implementing large item pickup.
A report to council says the service could add another $306,000 to the bottom line, but Ward 4 councillor Chris Holt can't hide his disappointment. "I know there's constant financial pressure in this city. There's constant pressure to keep a 0% tax increase," he told reporters after the vote. "But a lot of people feel that our quality of life is suffering because of that 0% tax increase."
The same report says in one day city staff found 121 illegally dumped items in alleyways behind Caron Ave., Walker Rd., Tecumseh Rd. and Riverside Dr., including 32 couches and 31 mattresses. With 20,999 homes in the area surveyed, administration suggests only a small percentage of residents are dumping used items illegally.
However, Holt says it's not a small problem. "This is a big deal in Ward 4, and it's the same thing in Ward 5, Ward 2, Ward 3," he says. "Once a week I deal with calls like this."
Recounting the story of a shopping cart of garbage that made its way from house to house in his ward, Holt calls the bylaw unfair. Currently, it's up to the residents who find dumped furniture on their property to dispose of it.
Windsor used to have large item pickup but discontinued the service 30 years ago in a bid to encourage residents to recycle. Councillors also noted some non-profit agencies need used furniture for resale.
Councillor Irek Kusmierczyk asked the administration to come back with other options including the possibility of supplying vouchers for residents.