In preparation for a new waste contract, Council approved service level recommendations pertaining to residential curbside waste collection, downtown core waste collection, recycling at super mailboxes and waste collection in parks. With respect to curbside collection services, Richmond Hill will continue with manual collection and maintain existing collection schedules and services for garbage, recycling and organic waste. Over the next few years, recycling service will be added to downtown core street containers, super mailbox locations (by request), and the Town’s larger parks. Due to the uncertainty created by the new Waste Free Ontario Act as it relates to municipal waste management, Council directed staff to begin negotiations for a new Waste Management Collection contract with the incumbent vendor (Miller Waste Systems Inc.) and report back on the results of those negotiations. If an agreement cannot be made by December 16, 2016, staff will proceed with a competitive procurement process. For more information, contact Terry Ricketts, Director of Environment Services at 905-747-6504.

 

Council approved the Heritage Committee’s recommendations to award $30,000 in Heritage Grants in 2016 for the preservation and restoration of eight heritage properties. Heritage plays an important role in Richmond Hill as it promotes a sense of identity and celebrates the town’s unique culture. Richmond Hill is committed to preserving its structural heritage to create a more vibrant community for future generations to enjoy. The Grants will provide for the restoration and repair of heritage components that are identified in the properties’ designation by-laws. This year’s projects include restoration of a front porch and a furnace chimney, the replacement of a cedar shake roof and windows and repairing a cupola. For more information, contact Matthew Somerville, Heritage Urban Design Planner at 905-771-5529.

 

Council passed a motion to regulate the source of animals for sale at Richmond Hill pet stores. Beginning this fall, the dogs, cats and rabbits sold by pet stores in Richmond Hill must be sourced from registered municipal animal shelters, registered shelters and registered shelters. This direction is intended to support residents by providing local access to obtain pets while also protecting business owners from accusations of animals in poor health sourced from puppy mills. In addition, ensuring pet stores work with shelters will help to reduce the number of homeless pets. Pet stores that sell animals have 12 months to sell the dogs, cats and rabbits already on their premises. Council also directed staff to bring forward an appropriate implementation by-law for Council’s approval by October 2016. For more information, contact John DeVries, Director, Regulatory Services at 905-771-2548.