Hamilton plans to re-establish a community liaison committee for neighbours of the Woodward Avenue sewage treatment plant.

The committee was disbanded when the city took back control of sewer and water operations from a private operator five years ago.

Dan Chauvin, acting director of planning and engineering in the city’s environmental and sustainable infrastructure group, said he wants to meet regularly with area residents — and any interested business owners — to discuss a major expansion and upgrading project that includes the incinerator.

“Keep us informed and we’re very happy,” replied Burke Austin, speaking for Community Action Parkdale East (CAPE), at a meeting earlier this month to deal with concerns over the proposed sludge-burner.

Marilyn Bell, who lives a few doors down the street, asked that an environmental assessment report due out in the next few weeks include a plain-language summary and simple diagrams.

She said people feel they don’t know what’s going on, and when information is presented, “then we can’t understand it.”

Barb Slattery from the Ontario Ministry of the Environment, who will review the report, told a handful of CAPE representatives:

“I recognize your concerns and am as hopeful as you are that the city’s documentation will be full and complete.”

Chauvin said once the report by AECOM Canada was complete, the city would hire another consultant to compare it to using Liberty Energy’s proposed sludge-burning power plant on Strathearne Avenue north of Burlington Street.

The city has since announced the report is done and available for public comment until Dec. 14.