Interview with Mayor Jerry Acchione - June 17th 2024

Monday, 17 June 2024 10:21

The agenda for this Thursday's council meeting includes a motion about child care, a proposed 13-storey apartment building, and waste collection discussions.

WOODSTOCK - The future of waste collection will be a big topic at the next Woodstock City Council meeting.

The province has ordered plastics producers to start handling their own waste collection in 2026, so Oxford County has been preparing for this change while also considering the introduction of an organics program.

County Council ordered staff to reach out to contractors to see how much this could cost. Mayor Jerry Acchione says this is where the City of Woodstock comes in.

"The County controls the garbage collection, but the City is the contractor. It's like a bidding process, so we're looking at it and see what we want to commit to, make some proposals to the County, and work together to give something for the residents of Woodstock and possibly more."

Acchione supports the idea of a green bin program in Woodstock.

"I'm quite interested in this, I have wanted organics for a long time here in the City. With the change of the recycling program, it very well could have these trucks and staff available, so why not use them for organics."

City Council is also set to discuss the need for more child care in the Friendly City. Councillor Kate Leatherbarrow is set to bring forward a motion, and Acchione explains what it's all about.

"Looking at future builds and how we can incorporate more child care because it's no secret there is a waiting list that is way too long here in the City of Woodstock. So we're going to see where that goes, see if council will support that and move forward."

You can read the full motion online here.

Another big item on the agenda is a proposed apartment building on Juliana Drive. It would consist of 13 stories and 213 units, located at the corner of Juliana and Alberta Ave across from Maranatha Christian Reformed Church and close to the football field for St. Mary's Catholic High School.

Acchione says the details will be discussed during a planning meeting tonight, and it will be discussed at the City Council meeting if all goes well.

Thursday's City Council meeting will begin at 7:00 p.m. and it will be livestreamed on the City of Woodstock YouTube page. You can also find the meeting agenda online here.

During his interview with Dan and Marcie this morning, Mayor Acchione also discussed the following:

- He went to Pride Family Day in Museum Square on Saturday.

- He has been attending the local high school to hand out the Student Civic Awards of Excellence. The winners will be honoured at council on Thursday.

- His thoughts on today's Daily Debate. We asked our listeners about their school mascots for National Mascot Day, and Acchione was a Huron Park Husky.

You can listen to the full interview below: