Observers can expect a lively debate on Monday night when the possibility of a regional bi-weekly garbage program comes up on the agenda.
While councils in Windsor, Leamington, and Tecumseh have all signed off on uploading the responsibility for garbage and a weekly organic waste collection program, approval in Essex is no sure bet.
While the County of Essex endorsed it, the program still needs the approval of at least four municipalities, equalling at least half of the population.
Mayor Sherry Bondy said many councillors have questions and concerns about the program, and she expects a close vote.
Part of the hesitancy goes back to the town's unique way of handling garbage collection now.
"We don't assess our farmland for garbage pickup if there's no house," she explained. "We have different pickups in our BIA areas. We have additional yard waste pickups in the winter, and we just have a level of service that our residents have come to like."
The town is already studying the logistics of its own organic waste program, although Bondy admitted the plan is not ready.
One of the biggest arguments in favour is it should be less expensive. Bondy's not so sure about that.
"We really don't know if it's going to save us money by tendering as a group. It's assumed with economies of scale that we'll save money, but it's not proven," said Bondy.
She also wonders if a regional contractor would be as flexible.
"With the recent storm event, we were able to work hand-in-hand with our contractor and troubleshoot different areas in our municipality that needed additional waste cleanup," Bondy said. "I'm not sure we'll be able to do that if we upload to the county."
Warden Hilda MacDonald had warned the new program faced an uphill battle.
If the majority of municipalities green-light it, a request for proposals could be issued this fall, with new waste collection services going into effect in 2025.