CAO Ivan Burton presented on a plan for Rogers to build a cellphone tower on the Kerr Line at Lot 20, Ross Concession 8, fronting on Magnesium Road, with the site plan approval application made by Mr. Leslie
He said that the property was built as close to he property line as possible to retain the agricultural character of the land.
He said that Rogers confirmed that two residents has expressed concerns about the tower but their comments regarding the view were assuaged.
Mayor Nicholson said that the towers were planned to be complete by 2025.
The motion was carried.
-The Council saw a recommendation “Council of the Township of Whitewater Region approve the award of Tender 2023-03 to AC Mechanical Refrigeration Ltd for the removal, replacement, and installation of a Mycom N6WA 6-cylinder ammonia compressor at Cobden Arena at a cost of $36,073.92 excluding H.S.T.”
Parks and Recreation Superintendent Jerry McIntyre said the compressor was 42 years old and at the end of its operation lifespan.
It was noted that the bid was over by $4,073.92, making the total cost $36,073.92 from the original $35,450.00.
“The reason for the increase is that we got caught in a price increase by Mycom that manufacturers the compressors and the oil separators and all the parts in that quote’s cost were raised substantially.” McIntyre said.
The motion was amended to the new price.
Councillor Moore asked for the lifespan of the machine, which McIntyre said would be 35 years with maintenance including rebuilding the bottom half ‘every 4 years.”
The motion was carried as amended.
Olmstead Jeffrey-Lake Road Debenture
The Council heard a recommendation for “Council of the Township of Whitewater Region approve a debenture by-law for Olmstead-Jeffrey Lake Road Rehabilitation.”
The debenture would last ten years with semi-annual payments beginning in December of 2023 and end in June of 2033.
The individual payments would amount to $302,842, and “With this debenture finalized, the Township will have $12,251,494 of debt principal remaining at the end of 2023.”
The motion was carried.
2023/24 Ice operations
The Council heard a recommendation for the Council of the Township of Whitewater Region to receive a report for information purposes and direct staff to engage with the Westmeath, Cobden and Beachburg recreation associations, Muskrat Minor Hockey Association, and the Beachburg Agricultural Society regarding ice production.
CAO Burton said that this was to begin the process to secure ice production for the region’s rink facilities, even though ice production doesn’t begin until September.
, we can anticipate with the operations of:
- three (3) ice facilities, an average prime-time utilization rate of 39%
(demand of 1,769 hours out of 4,524 hours available). - two (2) ice facility operations, an anticipated primetime utilization rate of 56%.
- one (1) ice facility operation, we anticipated a primetime utilization
rate of 109%. - Cobden Arena provided 1,624 hours of available prime-time hours of
which 1,143 hours were utilized representing a utilization rate of 70%. - Westmeath Arena provided 1,450 hours of available prime-time hours
of which 626 hours were utilized representing a utilization rate of 43%.
“In both the Cobden and Westmeath ice facilities, the 2022-2023 ice season accommodated a total of 2,174 hours of ice rentals of which 1,769 hours were utilized during prime time.”
Councillor Joey Trimm suggested an idea of Mayor Nicholson’s to engage with the seperate school in Westmeath in order to determine their user, as they don’t have their own gym facilities.
Councillor Moore asked for the proposed deficit for next year on June 21st’s meeting if they operate less than three facilities.
