Report to PAC, by Marlene Labelle - Community Representative

Memo to: Project Advisory Committee

From: Marlene Laverty-Labelle,
PAC Community Representative – Stittsville

Date: Thursday, May 27th, 2010

Subject: Observations during the period of May 20th to 27th, 2010-05-24

Please note the following comments I have encountered in writing and verbally to date.

NO to any further expansion/footprint on Carp Rd.
Absurd to think people in Stittsville and West Kanata have to keep putting up with this (i.e. on going issue)
We went through this process four years ago, nothing has changed. It is like WM are chasing us away.
I would like to have more information on this new proposal. Would like a Q&A.
What impact would this have on our ever growing populated community?
Final decision for this project stems on the Provincial Government, which happens to be Liberal. It has no impact on them politically as this riding has never voted Liberal. Therefore making their decision easy.
Very surprised that Terms of Reference still includes landfill.
New landfill will dramatically reduce the value of homes in the area
New home buyers are not being told of the dilemma, unfair for them to suffer the actions of WM.

Delusional comes to mind if they think the community supports more landfill!!!!!!! (This comment based on article in the EMC “WM receives mostly positive feedback for its proposed environmental centre``)
Scotiabank is a tourist attraction, do we need tourists to see and smell a landfill (Does not paint a pretty picture of the City of Ottawa).
Smell from the Dump was unbearable when they were in full operation; never want to experience this again.
Was suppose to be closed after the 25 year life span – I would like to see that happen.
A Landfill needs to be located further out where it would affect fewer people and land is readily available.
Look into a longer term plan that can benefit us all, like the Trail Road facility which is using Gasification.
WM is trying to paint a greener image for themselves by saying they are producing power to the community. I do not believe this for one second, how is burning the trapped gas into the air better for the environment.
If producing more greenhouse gases into the atmosphere is environmentally friendly, maybe we all should just burn our own garbage with that mentality.
WM is just thinking about $$$$ and does not care about the community.

I refer to “Letters to the Editor” in the EMC May 20th
- No Dump means No Dump
- Resident has different view of meeting
- Councillor says article doesn’t reflect public sentiment

As this is a two-fold waste issue, please note I have emailed a similar letter to our Corporate Neighbours; following has been received to date (attached);

Company located in the East End of Ottawa, reply from a Stittsville resident;
Currently all recyclable material, with the exception of cardboard, sent home with employees to be streamlined through residential pickup. Our company has a contract with WSI to pick up one small container of cardboard per month (i.e. measuring 4X4X6).
Our cost for pick up has more than doubled in recent years and is still going up.
Our company does not want to see another landfill on Carp Road.
Not bothered that industrial waste goes outside of the province of Ontario, as long as this makes economical sense for my company. I.E. no further tax increase.
BUT would definitely like to see a Waste to Energy program in affect to benefit the City.
Definitely wants an incentive program in place, (i.e. to be compensated on corporate taxes as a `Thank you for your efforts`- otherwise why do we bother to be a responsible neighbour).
Would like to see one truck pick up all the waste at the same time. This would help to decrease greenhouse gases and save on fuel costs.

Restaurant owner in Kanata (also owns others in various locations in Ottawa);
I have heard of the proposal and NOT IN AGREEMENT WITH IT
Not aware industrial waste was being sent elsewhere.
Yes I would like to see Industrial Waste handled by other methods
My landlord uses industrial bins
Yes we partake in recycling program
Incentives – Not to increase the cost of handling the waste. We have businesses in other areas of Ottawa, other than Kanata, where we rent the industrial bins and the cost is very heavy.
Yes the cost has increased over the years.
Other comments: Recycling of used cooking oil was free two years ago. Why is recycling cardboard so expensive. WM makes profits from this; they should return this extra profit to community by doing better things, such as using other waste handling method (this may be a little more expensive but good for the community) and/or relocate further from our community.

Comments that I am continuously receiving are “CARP ROAD IS NOT AN IDEAL LOCATION, MOVE LANDFILL TO ANOTHER LESS POPULATED AREA” AND “WHY IS A WASTE TO ENERGY SYSTEM NOT BEING SERIOUSLY LOOKED INTO, LIKE TRAIL ROAD”

It appears to me that the following criteria is required to proceed with this project; Land/Location, Environmentally sound, Water and Infrastructure. Therefore the following are some suggestions for alternate areas;

1. WEST CARLETON – has many vast spaces situated in its vicinity. If Landfill is the only viable and economical solution to the handling of waste, then option land that is located completely out of an ever growing residential area and situate it where the land is NOT currently be used, NOT located near a body of water (I.E. Ottawa River or any other outlying lakes) OR near working farms (i.e. Crops OR Dairy).
If Incineration/gasification is a possibility, then the same scenario as above applies with the exception of the need to locating it near a large body of water (i.e. the Ottawa River) for this to be a workable system.

2. LE BRETON FLATS – Not the best case scenarios for a landfill, with regards to it not being far from the downtown core, (being an eyesore for tourists, possibility of smell from a new landfill etc.).
On a positive note, with the soil being contaminated and there are no current plans for this area, it would be an ideal location for an Incineration/gasification plant with respect to
NOT being far from the Ottawa River (i.e. the need for water to run an Incineration Plant)
Turn this contaminated area into a working property
AND Waste to Energy going directly into the grid. (i.e. give back to the citizens of Ottawa)

IF THIS PROJECT IS RELOCATED, WHAT HAPPENS TO THE LAND OWNED/OPTIONED BY WASTE MANAGEMENT?

You expressed concerns at our meeting on May 13th, with regards to the negative perception our community has of WM and how to turn this around. It is my sincere feeling that WM would regain this confidence, by better utilizing money spent on various events taking place over the years and redirecting it towards commodities that would better serve the public.

One major Commodity that has always been an ongoing issue in our Community is Sporting Venues. I have personal experience of this scenario many times with the lack of baseball diamonds and having to endure late start times for many of my daughter’s games.

The land on Carp Road, along with the many parcels of land WM has options on, would more than facilitate the much needed fields/arenas/parking lots for our children to play hockey, soccer, baseball, lacrosse etc. As well as a strategically planned park that could be used for not only a play area for little ones, but as a gathering spot for families to enjoy Community Events.

Regards
Marlene Laverty-Labelle,
PAC Community Representative - Stittsville