Garbage collection in Turner Valley will see a slight change on Tuesdays to avoid collection near large groups of youngsters heading to school.
Turner Valley Coun. Lana Hamilton asked administration in a written request at its Feb. 4 meeting if it’s possible for the garbage truck to take a route that isn’t directly bordering Turner Valley School around the time school lets in.
As a result of Hamilton’s request, and supporting comments from other councillors, administration is making some small adjustments to the route so garbage pickup around the school will take place once youngsters are in class.
The change is scheduled to take effect next week on Feb. 19.
“This will be achieved by starting pick up for the day in Seclusion Valley, then Country Meadows, before continuing south through the community to Sunset Blvd.,” said Gerry Melenka, Turner Valley planning and development co-ordinator.
“With the exception of Seclusion Valley residents, who will have an earlier pick up time than they’re used to, the rest of the residents along the route will experience a slight shift in their pick up times.”
Melenka said the change in the route is expected to reduce potential conflict between the collection of garbage and children going to school in the morning, during lunch and when classes let out in the afternoon.
This includes Edward Avenue and the Country Meadows subdivision, north of Turner Valley School.
“In those areas we have sidewalks on one side and not the other,” Melenka said. “The kids are going on the road to avoid a truck if there is a conflict. Seclusion Valley, for the most part, has appropriate sidewalks and doesn’t create as much conflict.”
Garbage collection on Tuesdays occurs north of Sunset Boulevard, while collection on Wednesdays takes place south of the boulevard, Melenka said.
Melenka said the Town will communicate the change to residents the next several days, and is encouraging everyone to have their bins out on the street by 7:30 a.m.
The minor changes on Tuesdays won’t affect the level of garbage collection service the Town provides to residents, he said.
Barry Crane, who resigned from council after the Feb. 4 meeting to run for the vacant mayor position, told council at the meeting that he agrees with Hamilton’s request, adding he sees at least 80 children on their way to school in the morning where garbage collection occurs.
“For the 20 minute delay (in garbage collection) so they get in school I don’t think is a big change or will affect operations severely,” he said.
“It will add some safety features so I’m in favour of that.”
Speaking on behalf of Hamilton, who was absent at last week’s council meeting, Coun. Garry Raab said it’s a safety concern and an excellent catch on Hamilton’s behalf.
Coun. Jonathan Gordon questioned rerouting garbage collection from one neighbourhood to another when children are walking to school, saying he doesn’t see it as eliminating the problem.
“We might simply be moving the problem from one neighbourhood to another,” he said.
