Eastern Service Board head looking forward to providing ‘expanded number of services’

I am contacting you regarding the article published in the May 5th edition of The Shoreline entitled, “Conception Harbour mayor miffed by Province’s rejection of regionalization,” by Mark Squibb.

The Eastern Regional Service Board (ERSB) along with the other active service boards in the province, are very encouraged and excited by the announcement from Municipal Affairs Minister Krista Howell. The ERSB believes the regional service boards can efficiently provide municipal services to communities across the province. The review of the Regional Service Boards Act will provide the boards with the opportunity to expand on the number of services currently provided to communities.

The ERSB has worked collaboratively with communities in the region since 2013 when the Regional Service Boards Act was amended. The Board was created in 2011.

The Board has assisted communities in the creation and management of waste collection contracts outside of the regional contracts whenever called upon for guidance. Board staff have advised communities on how to set up internal waste collection services and how to seek external contractors to supply services.

The ERSB is a tireless proponent of regional cooperation and the benefits that can be shared by working together. Having multiple communities in an area share the cost of a regional service such as waste, usually leads to savings for everyone through economies of scale. However, the ERSB completely understands and supports any community that can purchase or provide the same level of service for a lower price. The ERSB looks forward to providing an expanded number of services to communities upon the completion of the review of the Regional Service Boards Act.