Second-class property owners? Edgewater condos lose their loose-leaf pick up

A deputation made to Kawartha Lakes council by C. Brian Lailey, a resident of the Edgewater condominiums in Bobcaygeon, questioned why the complex did not receive leaf pickup for the first time in possibly two decades.

The condominium owner was caught off-guard when on both Nov. 6 and Nov. 20 of 2020 Miller Waste, responsible for the city-wide leaf pick up, did not arrive.

Concerned Edgewater residents contacted both the city and Miller Waste. They were baffled to hear that leaf waste will not be picked up at any locations designated as a multiple dwelling.

Edgewater residents, many of them elderly, were left to load and transport their own leaves to the local landfill and are looking for answers regarding this apparent change in service levels.

Lailey spoke to council on behalf of his fellow condominium owners via Zoom.

“My home is assessed as a single residential property,” Lailey said, “We saw similar buildings in Bobcaygeon get their leaves picked up. I believe the city is creating a second class of property owner who, while they are taxed the full amount, do not get full services.”

“This is a flawed decision. It is arbitrary and discriminatory,” Lailey continued.

“If the city can deny this service will garbage pick-up be next?” Lailey asked, “If they will no long pick up leaves will bulky item pickup also be denied?”

Mayor Andy Letham recommended that the situation be referred to staff for clarification with a report coming back in the first quarter of 2021 with options regarding leaf pick-up at condominiums. Council supported that recommendation.

Bobcaygeon- area councillor Kathleen Seymour-Fagan thanked the deputant for his presentation and hard work on this issue.

She asked Lailey how long the city had been picking up leaves at The Edgewater. Lailey thought it was at least a decade if not two decades, and wondered again why not this year?

Lailey told Seymour-Fagan and council that he and his neighbours would also like to be reimbursed for their time and mileage in taking the leaves to the landfill, something they shouldn’t have had to do in the first place as their taxes paid for that service.