The issue of what one resident called a garbage dump in the centre of town stems from a larger issue derived from the public’s misuse of private property.
The rented property, located in Brentwood Business Park that residents David and Shirra Turner petitioned the Town to investigate because they were concerned for safety of children and of blowing garbage was being used illegally said Colin Huxted, owner of Huxted Waste Disposal.
“The equipment that was stored on the leased property accumulated through the winter, as it was not being used. The problem was mostly the public using the waste bins illegally. The people who were using the bins, were trespassing on private property,” said Huxted. “Many of our waste bins that are rented by businesses in Strathmore, are dumped in illegally by the public, and are subject to a fine.”
Because of the snowstorm Strathmore faced late April, the equipment was not able to move from the site but was cleared out on an agreed upon date of April 30 that was discussed by the property owner, the Town of Strathmore and Huxted Waste Disposal, said the owner, who noted that this was prior to them knowing of any complaint.
Of the complaints the Turners had of the area, they said the main concern was the safety of children and not the smell or flies that she had expected would be drawn to the site in the summer heat had it been left for so long, a word that had been accidentally dropped from her letter to the editor.
“The reason why this story was brought to the paper’s attention in the first place was because we were very scared that a kid was going to get hurt and we wanted the public to know about the potential risk and this land is zoned residential, end of story,” said Shirra.
Turner expressed she is pleased that the site is now clean of equipment and garbage and that no trespassing signs have been put up.
Strathmore Mayor George Lattery is now urging anyone who has a complaint to come to the Town directly to have it addressed. According to Senior Peace Officer Dave Hamilton, once a formal call is received the officer will generally check out the complaint that same day. To make a complaint Hamilton said information such as date, time, place, any witnesses and, in the case of someone dumping garbage, a vehicle license plate number would all be helpful.
“It depends on the circumstances what the outcome will be. There would be an investigation followed with enforcement or we would deal with it informally. Each circumstance dictates what is going to happen,” said Hamilton.
Huxted said if members of the public are looking for a place to discard items they should contact his business and they can rent a small four-yard bin or a large roll-off bin for their home cleanup or renovation.
“We have offered this service for 18 years,” he said. “If the public has garbage they need to dispose of, they can also bring it to our industrial lot. It is put into a bin, then a truck and hauled to landfill. This service we have offered for the past three years, and works well for many residents.”
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