Department managers for Whitewater Region Township each submit a monthly report that is reviewed by council at its monthly meeting.
These reports were discussed the Oct. 21 council meeting.
Treasurer: In 2015, the township received $1,160 in boat launch fees compared to $975 in 2014 reported treasurer Marsha Hawthorne. The Township of Brudenell, Lyndoch and Raglan purchased a township truck for $500.
Public Works: Manager Bill Misener reported a storm pipe was replaced at the township office parking lot before paving could be done and a major culvert was replaced on the Blind Line at Haley Industries to help with storm water from the plant. The new tandem snow plow trucks arrived in September. The old Haley outdoor rink is now demolished. More dangerous trees were removed.
Building and Bylaw: There were 22 building permits issued in September with a construction value close to $650,000.
Chief Building Official Doug Schultz reported the permits were for one single dwelling, four single dwelling additions, one demolition permit, four septic tank permits, eight accessory buildings, two decks and two commercial.
Mr. Schultz, who is also a by-law officer, noted there continues to be problems with dogs running at large and attacking other dogs.
Environmental Services: All play structures within the township are being inspected. Reports should be ready by the end of October.
Fire: Station 3 Foresters Falls responded to no incidents in September. Station 5 Westmeath responded to one incident; Station 1 Haley’s responded to two; Station 4 Beachburg responded to three and Station 2 Cobden responded to five.
Chief Administrative Officer: Many staff provided reports on recent training, workshops and conventions they attended.
“Everyone in the management team noted it’s very interesting reading these reports to see what other people have learned and particularly when there are common themes,” said Chief Administrative Officer Christine FitzSimons. “It’s a great way of bringing information back.”
Councillor Daryl McLaughlin said reading the reports was interesting and informative.
“Great to see (these reports),” he said. “Maybe it’s something we should be doing, because we’re not getting any feedback from any of the conferences other than this.”
He suggested that workshops and conferences be videotaped so that those who are unable to attend can see what happened.
Councillor Charlene Jackson said many presentations at the workshops have videos posted to their own web sites following the event.
Mayor Hal Johnson said special videos can be purchased at the conferences if they are not on the web site.
Reeve: Reeve Terry Millar reported Warden Peter Emon presented a cheque to the United Way for a total of $7,390 from various events hosted by the county
He further reported that the business case for the accelerated extension of Hwy. 17 has had a setback. Paul Moreau attended a meeting in Kingston regarding the Eastern Ontario Transportation Needs Analysis and reported back to county council that Hwy. 17 did not make the short list of six priorities of transportation needs in Eastern Ontario.
Councillor Chris Olmstead was perplexed.
“I’d really like to find out what wouldn’t meet the transportation needs of Ontario if Hwy. 17 doesn’t meet those needs,” he stated.
He would like to see the six on the short list, noting that Hwy. 17 has major catastrophies, especially in Whitewater Region, and there are all kinds of issues.
And, Coun. Olmstead said, with 10,000 vehicles travelling through Cobden on an average day, he’d like to see what considerations are priorities.
Reeve Millar said he did not have that information readily available, however, he could get it.
“The feeling up at County in regards to this, is, if you are not south of Hwy. 7, you don’t get a lot of consideration,” Reeve Millar said.
One employee went to the meeting regarding this meeting and there should have been more from this area there, he said.
The county is re-strategizing, and without getting into too much information, he said the county is considering hiring someone to lobby for Hwy. 17.
“They had a joint meeting this week, finance, admin, and property and development, to address this,” he said. “They’re not happy and we’re not on the radar is where we stand right now.”
Mayor Hal Johnson said if the information he has heard is correct, the land has yet to be purchased. Only three pieces of property have been purchased at end of the current project to the top of Meath Hill.
“That’s why it’s not on the radar, people,” he said. “It’s been off the radar passed Arnprior for many years.
“I guess we’re going to have to be squeaky and do a lot of running and help the County.”
