New Tecumseth large item garbage pickup could be scrapped altogether for 2008.

At a Committee of the Whole meeting Monday night, New Tecumseth councillors agreed to instill a voucher system at least for next year.

Simcoe County is pressing New Tecumseth council for a decision since the county waste calendars for 2008 that are sent out to all residents are scheduled to go to press soon.

The voucher system would see residents being given a voucher from the municipality to present at county landfills when dropping off large items to offset tipping fees. Most municipalities using the system offer two vouchers for $25, however if the tipping fee is less than the voucher, users don’t receive change.

Counc. Barbara Huson said the voucher system would only be for the upcoming year. In the meantime, she said the town’s environment committee is exploring other options, such as what is being done in areas such as Peel and King.

For resident and former councillor Gary Dorland, the system would do nothing to help seniors and people without large vehicles.

“Withdrawing large item pickup is a very backwards step,” said Dorland.

In addressing council he noted that putting items at the curb also leads to an informal goods exchange, meaning fewer items will head to the landfill. Referring to the problems experienced this past spring with large item garbage collection by Simcoe County, Dorland said council shouldn’t stop a good system because some people didn’t play by the rules. Instead, he suggested the public should be better educated on the parameters of the large item pickup.

During this year’s large item garbage collection many residents were unaware that they were only to put out five metal items and five large items. When the county contractor came to collect, only five of each were collected from homes. At other homes, the large items weren’t collected at all, or sat curbside for weeks.

“They did an absolute terrible job of advertising it and an absolute terrible job of picking it up,” said Counc. Richard Norcross. “The problem I’m having is I can’t trust the county in doing the job properly.”

No concrete decision on the fate of the large item pick up will be made until the next regular council meeting Aug. 27.

With the direction it is taking now Counc. Jess Prothero said council should expect people to litter the streets with large items they have no other way to dispose of.

“We’ve got to have a plan now to deal with the stuff that’s going to end up in the street because we know it’s going to happen,” said Prothero.

Council was not in favour of relying on the county for the pick up. Other than the voucher system the only other option available is to scrap the large item pick up altogether. Returning the responsibility of the service to the town is not an option.

Concerns about having to put leaves and yard waste in paper bags was also discussed. Coun. Christine Brayford said she has had calls from seniors concerned about the extra impact this makes financially and physically. A motion was passed to look into considering assistance for seniors.