Curbside recycling rejected in Oromocto plebiscite
728 voted against switching from community depots, compared to 204 yes votes
Oromocto has resoundingly rejected switching to curbside recycling, and the 50 per cent increase in collection fees that would have come with it.
A plebiscite on the issue was held during Monday night's municipal election that also saw two councillors elected, while the rest of council was acclaimed.
Oromocto currently has three community recycling depots. The goal of the plebiscite was to measure public interest in switching.
The question on the ballot was: Do you want the Town of Oromocto to provide bi-weekly curbside collection of recyclable paper, plastics and metal cans, which will require a forty dollar ($40) per year increase to the eighty dollar ($80) per year fee currently charged to each residential unit for garbage collection?
According to unofficial Elections New Brunswick results, 728 residents voted no, compared to only 204 yes votes.
Councillor incumbents Lorraine Dawe and Jeff Kirkbride were re-elected in Ward 1, earning 327 and 317 votes respectively. They defeated newcomer Allison Mockler, who got 166 votes.
Robert (Bob) Powell will continue to serve as the town's mayor by acclamation.
In Ward 2, Raymond Ignatius Henry and Alex J. Zaporzan were both acclaimed. Ward 3 also has two acclaimed councillors: Sheridan Mawhinney and Kelly Murdock.