Following numerous complaints by residents living in the vacinity of the new Collingwood Ethanol plant (formerly Nacan), Collingwood Mayor Chris Carrier has responded in letter form, detailing the situation in dealing with both odor and noise issues. In the letter, Mayor Carrier points out that the Ministry of Environment has submitted a "Committee Based Odor Sampling Work Plan" and will be conducting sampling in the vacinity of MacDonald Road until August 2008. Here is the letter from Mayor Carrier:

Ctizens of Collingwood:

During the past year which is the approximate time Collingwood Ethanol has been in operation, my office as well as our administration has dealt with numerous complaints regarding both odor and noise to be emanating from Collingwood Ethanol.

As well, during the same period, Collingwood Ethanol has been diligently working toward achieving their name plate production in order that they may proceed with their source testing as is required by the Certificate of Approval; that is the levels of odor and noise emission permitted.

We have been advised that Collingwood Ethanol have encountered a series of problems achieving the name plate production, thus, source testing has been delayed.

The residents in proximity to Collingwood Ethanol concerned with the levels of both odor and noise organized to form the East End Environmental Action Committee.

To date, we have met on five occasions with that Committee, representatives of Collingwood Ethanol, and the Ministry of the Environment in an attempt to find resolution to concerns of both odor and noise.

We have been advised at our most recent meeting that name plate production has been achieved and that source testing will be undertaken shortly.

The Ministry of Environment has, as well, submitted a “Committee Based Odor Sampling Work Plan.” The Ministry will be conducting sampling in the vicinity of MacDonald Road.

The sampling will be conducted between May and August 2008.

Collingwood Council is supportive of industry, however it is imperative that they operate within compliance of the Certificates of Approval which address both odor and noise levels.

We have been assured that if any industry in the area is operating in a non-compliant manner they will be ordered to meet the requirement of their respective Certificate of Approval.

I must further point out that the noise and odor issues are a matter for the Ministry of the Environment to address.

We are cognizant of significant problems in the area and are working closely with the Ministry to address and rectify matters with the cooperation of all parties.

Sincerely,

Mayor Chris Carrier

Collingwood Ethanol has donated ten thousand dollars to the Collingwood Legion to help in the Legion's purchase of a new air conditioning unit. Collingwood Ethanol has made the donation in recognition of ongoing community work by Collingwood Legion members.