No matter what happens, Saint John’s budget for solid waste diversion is going up; however, the city and outlying municipalities will have to decide together exactly how far they want to go with curbside recycling and composting.
We can either maintain the status quo to the tune of $160,000 more than the current annual budget—Option One– or so-called Option 3, which is curbside composting and recycling, for $500,000 more yearly.
Mayor Mel Norton says that the recommendation is either to deliver the highest level of service with Option 3, or leave well enough alone.
Common Councillor David Merrithew says Saint John, Rothesay, Quispam, and all the outlying communities are going to have to work together on this one in order to do Option 3 without a tax increase–and we have to keep in mind this is a decision for the next 10 to 15 years.
Whatever the majority decides will go for all the communities. The changes would take effect in 2016.
The vote happens October 28th.
