By Lyonel Doherty

The Town of Oliver has changed its decision again and decided to go with the three-cart system for garbage, recycling and yard waste collection.

On Monday night, council was waiting for the District of Summerland to make a decision on the cart program before approving it for the Oliver community.

“I don’t want this coming back to council. This is the final decision,” said Director of Operations Shawn Goodsell.

Council’s decision hinged on Summerland’s because it’s cheaper for Oliver to have another municipality take part in the “package deal.” Summerland approved the cart system on Monday.

The cart program will see residents fill the bins and leave them at the end of their driveway for a truck that comes by to pick them up with steel hydraulic forks. This is safer for drivers who don’t have to pick up the heavy bins. This method is the “wave of the future” because many towns are using it, Goodsell said.

Councillor Larry Schwartzenberger said he was in favour of this method the first time council discussed it (despite the Town rejecting it). He said residents won’t have to buy any more waste bags now that they’ll have the bins.

But Councillor Petra Veintimilla voted against the cart system, saying it’s not necessary in Oliver.

“I feel like the cart (program) is a change for the sake of change.”

She also pointed out that some of her neighbours only produce small bags of garbage and recycling once a week, so now they will have three carts to contend with.

Resident Fiona Wood, who’s running in Oliver’s by-election, asked if council considered the community’s senior population and the burden on them.

Wood also raised a concern about the cost of the cart system, referring to the $261,000 price tag.

But according to the Town, the residential fee of $110 per year won’t change. Chief Financial Officer Devon Wannop said because they are working with a number of municipalities, the collection company is giving the town a reduced fee. He said the Town is getting the program at the same price they are paying now.

Goodsell said the Town needs to get rolling on educating residents on the new cart program.