by CONNIE TABBERT
Editor
COBDEN — Whitewater Region roads crews can continue to park their personal vehicles inside municipal garages in poor weather, but won’t be able to work on them.
During last night’s council meeting, a recommendation from the public works committee that the policy of working on personal vehicles in municipal garages and parking personal vehicles in municipal garages during inclement weather be stopped was not approved.
Councillor Daryl McLaughlin wanted the part about parking personal vehicles in municipal garages removed from the recommendation.
“I agree no personal vehicles should be worked on, but I’d like to have more thought if they can park their vehicles inside,” he said.
Reeve Terry Millar noted there aren’t many employers who provide indoor parking for their employees.
Councillor Dave Mackay disagreed, noting Petawawa allows for this.
“It’s a perk for them (municipal employees),” he said. “They can park inside during snow storms while plowing the roads.”
Councillors Charlene Jackson and Cathy Regier disagreed, saying the township’s insurance company had concerns about liability. Coun. Jackson said if a personal vehicle were to catch on fire, or be hit by another vehicle, while parked inside, it would be the municipality at fault.
She further noted that not all municipal employees would be able to take advantage of indoor parking.
“They were hired to do a job, we don’t have to provide cover for their vehicles,” Coun. Jackson said.
Coun. Regier added, “It’s a liability issue. For 30 years they have gotten away with it. The first time something happens, it will fall onto the municipality.”
Councillor Chris Olmstead questioned if there was any difference in insurance if the employees were parked in the parking lot or in the garage – but there was no answer.
Mayor Hal Johnson said there is room for the roads crews to park their vehicles indoors.
“I’d feel bad stopping it,” he said, adding, “I understand it.
“There are little perks in every part of the business world and we’re slowly removing them all,” he said. “I agree with no working on personal vehicles but I’m in favour of parking their vehicles inside.”
Public works manager Bill Misener said if the personal vehicles are parked in the garage, it’s much easier for the plows to clear the parking. As for a township truck hitting a personal vehicle in the garage, he said, “There’s little chance” of that happening.
“It’s a perk,” he added.
Coun. Jackson noted it’s a perk other employees don’t have.
“Park in the lot like other employees,” she said.
She also questioned how many council members knew prior to this discussion coming to the committee meeting that employees were working on their personal vehicles or parking in a municipal garage.
Coun. Olmstead questioned how many employees park their vehicles inside.
Mr. Misener said when there’s a storm coming, like what is being predicted for Thursday (today), all roads crews park inside.
When the vote was taken, it was three in favour of stopping the practice and four voting against.
It was agreed that Mr. Misener would create a policy and bring it to council for review and approval.
When the meeting was over, Mr. Misener and Mayor Johnson agreed that until a policy is implemented, public works employees will not be allowed to work on personal vehicles in municipal garages, but they will be able to park indoors when there is inclement weather.
