Briefs from the April 15 Whitewater Region Township council meeting.
COBDEN — Council received its COLA (Cost of Living Allowance) increase of 2.4 per cent, but has yet to decide if it will get an honourarium increase.
Councillor Daryl McLaughlin opposed this increase until he was satisfied it wasn’t an honourarium increase. The honourarium is to be reviewed once every four years, and yet it has been at least eight years, he noted.
“It’s time to be looked at,” he said.
He also preferred it be someone outside of council.
Chief Administrative Officer Christine FitzSimons said she has spoken with Human Resources manager Bruce Beakley and he expects he will have the remunerations paid to other councils available for review by the end of April.
Councillor Charlene Jackson said this discussion is slated for the May 6 corporate services meeting.
Mayor Hal Johnson noted all council must be present for the discussion.
**Coun. McLaughlin would like all recorded votes to be by secret ballot.
He doesn’t agree with the mayor or committee chairperson voting last.
“By that time the decision is made,” he said.
However, he also believes they should be the ones who break a tie vote.
Coun. Jackson noted it would be difficult to know if there’s going to be a tie until all but the mayor or chairperson has voted.
CAO FitzSimons said the recording vote in the procedural bylaw can be worded any way council would like.
“It’s been amended a number of times,” she said. “I would prefer if you could all agree so it can be put to bed.”
When it was voted to leave as it was amended, Coun. McLaughlin voted against it.
**The township will once again help the Renfrew County Plowmen’s Association with the Renfrew County Plowing Match.
Coun. Jackson noted this is the second year in a row it will be held in Whitewater Region Township.
Jack and Shirley MacGregor, Nathan Latchford and Jackie MacGregor are this year’s hosts.
The event will be at the farm on Davidson Road on Saturday, Sept. 19.
The Association asked for council’s help, which it has provided in the past, by providing a load of sand for the KidZone, a vehicle on-site to collect garbage, and possibly a culvert.
“I think it’s important we help them out,” Coun. Jackson said. “A number of people come out regardless of the weather.
“I look forward to attending it again,” she said.
** The large recycling bins have not yet arrived at the township’s landfill site. Environmental Services manager Steve Hodson said they are coming from Bonnechere Valley Township.
Mayor Johnson will be glad when they arrive, as it’s an opportunity to provide another service to the municipal residents.
**Community Living is celebrating May as its month and asked if council would fly its flag.
Community Living is a not-for-profit provincially funded group that assists people who may be physically or developmentally handicapped.
CAO FitzSimons said if you look around at Taste of the Valley, people from Community Living are totally enjoying the event.
While council did agree to fly the flag, Coun. McLaughlin said more groups may come forward and ask the township to fly their flags.
CAO FitzSimons said this could be a new regiment for the township.
** Councillor Chris Olmstead and deputy-clerk Hope Dillabough will represent the municipality on a new group organized by four municipalities to pursue the acquisition of the abandoned former CN line from Algonquin Park to the Quebec border.
