COBDEN — Department reports from the Oct. 1 Whitewater Region Township council meeting.
Treasurer
It was noted that $120 was received for the fee of having a fishing tournament using our docks. Councillor Joey Trimm wanted to know if that money would be set aside for future upgrades to township wharves and docks. Treasurer Marsha Hawthorne replied in the affirmative.
In her report, Ms. Hawthorne noted that the school board levies totalling $1,137,588.93 are now paid.
The third installment of water and sewer bills were sent out, she noted. A total of $161,064.89 was billed for water and $63,113.86 was billed for sewer.
Public Works
Brushing of Marjorie Road is complete and work is now ongoing on Faught and Cornerview roads, noted manager Bill Misener in his report. The grader is getting the roads ready for the colder weather. The Zion Line overlay is complete
He advised council he will have a full report at the Oct. 8 public works committee meeting as to how much gravel was laid and which roads, including the total kilometres.
Reeve Don Rathwell questioned what was happening on Mowat Road and Hydro Bay Road.
“The Mowat Road is in bad shape,” he said. “It’s been in bad shape all summer.”
“They actually started cold patching this afternoon with the big truck,” Mr. Misener responded.
Coun. Trimm dvised he received a quote for cleaning the Westmeath office and Mr. Misener thought it was a fair price. The next step once cleaned is to have a quote for painting, he added.
Councillor Allen Dick received an email thanking Mr. Misener for the work completed on Meath Hill Road.
Building and Bylaw
enforcement
In September, 22 building permits were issued with a construction value of $888,700. These permits were for four single family dwellings, four demolition permits, eight septic permits, two accessory buildings, two porch/deck and one each of agricultural and commercial.
At the meeting, department manager Doug Schultz noted there were approximately eight to 10 dog issues in September. There was a report of one dog attacking another, dogs running at large and as well as one person getting bit, he said.
“Whitewater Region is the most busiest township in Renfrew County with dog problems,” he said. “We are laying charges on some of the calls.”
Coun. Dick noted he received phone calls about four dogs running at large in Haley Townsite and creating problems.
Mr. Schultz said if there is a problem, provide the information in writing with the address, because it’s easy to find dogs running around.
Coun. Trimm noted he received a phone call call about a dog problem in LaPasse on a Sunday. Mr. Schultz was called at home to deal with this dog on the loose.
“It’s a problem,” Coun. Trimm stated.
Environmental Services
The new John Deere 655K Crawler Loader is now at the waste site on Kohlsmith Road, reported manager Steve Hodson. He noted it carries out the daily functions more efficiently than the excavator did. However, the excavator will continue to be used at the waste site as well, he added. He said the crawler can be seen any day in action except for Mondays.
An application has been submitted to spread non-agricultural source material on a resident agricultural field. As well, the application to spread biosolids from the Cobden Wastewater Plant was submitted to the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs.
A request for Review Application for the Department of Fisheries and Oceans was submitted for the Westmeath dredging project.
Fire
Chief Wayne Heubner reported three fires with all stations attending to at least one except Foresters Falls, which saw no action in September.
Chief administrative officer Christine FitzSimons gave an update on the revenue amounts from the solar panels now installed on municipal buildings. Reeve Don Rathwell gave a report on county council information.
