Air quality
With yard material burning as one of the known causes to Vanderhoof’s high level of fine particulates — as shown in the Ministry of Environment’s recent report, the district’s environment committee is discussing the possibility of banning all backyard burning, except for campfires, within the municipal boundaries, as well as participating in the Provincial Wood Stove Exchange Program which provides incentives in replacing old wood stoves.
For yard waste, the district may offer curbside pickup twice a year.
Meetings with the Ministry will continue this week.
Sewage pump upgrade
An additional $15,000 will be allocated to upgrade the Bute lift station, which receives and pumps Vanderhoof’s sewage to treatment lagoons.
The project, totalling $100,000, will replace outdated electronics and telecommunication equipment that had led to regular after-hour alarm calls and obscure replacement parts.
The funds will come from the sewer surplus account of $158,175.
Zoning: industrial to rural
The owner of 2010 Mill Road has applied to change the property’s designation from industrial to rural.
With concerns of decreasing land availability for future industries, the district has postponed the discussion until staff returns with an inventory of Vanderhoof’s industrial land.