Town of Collingwood, Ontario, Canada

The Town of Collingwood has received a formal apology from officials representing Collingwood Ethanol, now known as Amaizeingly Green. The apology came on Monday night (June 29, 2009) at the regular meeting of council, during a presentation by plant official Martin Kazmir. In a prepared news release, plant official Bruce Chandler stated that the company took offense to the town laying charges for violating its sewer bylaw in 2008. He went on to say that Collingwood Ethanol officials didn't realize that the town was acting in the best interests of the community. "Without realizing the mayor and council were acting in the community’s best interest, we perceived the action taken by the town as an attack on the company" Chandler stated in the release, adding that company officials are genuinely sorry for any inappropriate actions that may have been taken in the past and that the company looks forward to a new relationship with the town.

Mr. Kazmir's presentation to council included an update on what the company is doing during a summer shutdown to install new equipment to combat ongoing odour and noise issues.

Mr. Kazmir's deputation to council came shortly after the plant had been hit with stiff fines after being found guilty of violating the environmental Protection Act. Collingwood's Ethanol plant, now known as Amaizeingly Green, was hit with a 300 thousand dollar fine after pleading guilty to charges from the Ministry of Environment for violating the Environmental Protection Act. Friday's court date (June 19, 2009) followed two years of noise and odour issues, Ministry of Environment testing and ongoing complaints from east end Collingwood residents.

Amaizeingly Green was also fined 25 thousand dollars after pleading guilty to operating equipment without necessary MOE approvals. In addition, the court has instructed the plant to pay five thousand dollars for each of three charges for violating Collingwood's sewer use bylaw.

The Town of Collingwood has now dropped a charge of Public Nuisance against Collingwood Ethanol that had earlier been issued under section 447.1 of the Municipal Act. This action took place on Tuesday August 19, 2008, following an in-camera meeting of Collingwood Council the night before. Mayor Chris Carrier told A Channel News on Friday, June 19th, that these latest developmens represent progress for the plant and for the community. "Everybody wants to have that plant working well and not having a negative impact, including the people who own the plant and the people who work there" Carrier said.