Wood chipping (photo ID 122534221© Roy Pedersen| Dreamstime.com)

By Pete McIntyre

waiting for grant

Council to discuss spring chipping program

May 6, 2024 | 6:20 AM

An idea for a wood chipping program in Coldstream will be discussed by members of the district’s council.

Unlike Vernon, Coldstream does not have a residential chipping program that’s funded by tax dollars, and instead residents have to take their prunings to the landfill themselves, or pay for a company to pick them up.

Councillor Simone Runyan suggested wood chipping may be a way to “spark-proof” Coldstream yards, given the dry conditions, and she asked staff if there was a way for the municipality to facilitate yard waste removal before summer.

In a series of emails provided by the district as part of a committee of the whole agenda, Mayor Ruth Hoyte suggested the idea may need to wait until the district is able to get grant money and hire a FireSmart coordinator.

“From there, make some decisions on how the FireSmart monies can be spent. It may include a chipping program,” Hoyte wrote.

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Runyon noted that both Vernon and Kelowna have chipping programs, which Hoyte commented on.

“As we are neither Kelowna or Vernon, where commercial properties pay more than three times for services on their tax requisition and can subsidize services for residents, [and] have a significant population over Coldstream, [that] may not be the best comparison. I would be very reluctant to any additional services cost, until we can fully address our deficit,” Hoyte remarked.

Chief administrative officer Keri-Ann Austin agreed with the mayor in recommending council wait to see if the district is successful in its FireSmart grant application and then decide on possibly adding a chipping program.

“The only issue with this approach is that a chipping program would not likely be in place before summer begins – but perhaps over the summer months instead,” Austin said.

The issue will be discussed at council’s committee of the whole meeting May 6.