by CONNIE TABBERT
Editor
WESTMEATH — Councillor Daryl McLaughlin was the only council member to oppose the township signing a lease agreement with AWire Telecom Services to rent the office of the former Township of Westmeath..
The agreement is for three years, with the option after two years of either one giving three months notice of getting out of the lease.
The agreement calls for $500 a month, which includes heat and hydro, snow removal and lawn maintenance, as well as some basic clean-up.
The township is responsible for the expenses of operating the building, taxes and insurance, except the contents, which must be insured by the leasee.
There is a large eight foot by five foot maple table to be removed. The first decision is should council keep it for historical value, since it was the former Westmeath Township council table or sell it.
Mayor Hal Johnson said, “It’s a big, maple table. It’s gorgeous. We don’t want it coffee stained.”
It was agreed to make it surplus.
“It has to find a new home,” said Chief Administrative officer Christine FitzSimons.
There were several suggestions as to where it could go, but no final home was found. For now, it could be located in the foyer outside the council chamber, but that’s only until the customized counter/desktop is completed and needs to go there.
Councillor Charlene Jackson questioned why the facility hasn’t already been cleaned out and ready for its possible tenant. Council gave permission a while ago for that to be done, she said.
The other equipment in the building will most likely be sent to the landfill, CAO FitzSimons said.
Concerns with the lease agreement were then discussed. It was noted by Coun. Jackson that “$500 a month is cheap.”
CAO FitzSimons said it costs about $12,000 a year for heat and hydro. The rental fee will cover half of those costs, she said.
“It’s pretty sad shape inside,” she said. “It would need some serious renovations if it were to be used for an office.”
It has sat empty for so long, that a tenant now is good news, the CAO added.
The municpality will continue to use the garage at the Westmeath site.
Coun. McLaughlin questioned if the tenant would have control of the heat.
Mayor Johnson said it could be set up so the municipal employees would have control of the heat.
CAO FitzSimons noted the electronic equipment the tenant will be installing needs to be at a cooler temperature, so she’s sure the tenant will not jack up the heat. She further noted there won’t be staff at the facility, so there won’t be a need to crank up the heat.
Coun. McLaughlin wanted assurance the tenant would not be able to adjust the heat. He noted $500 a month is not a lot of money, especially considering it includes heat.
Coun. Jackson agreed, noting included in the lease was snow removal, lawn mowing and no rental increase for three years.
“He’s getting away with paying not very much at all,” she said.
CAO FitzSimons reminded council the building has sat empty for a few years and finding a suitable tenant for a very unattractive property isn’t easy.
“If you feel the need to address (this issue), table it,” she suggested.
Coun. Jackson suggested the lease be signed, but that a tenant willing to pay fair market rent still be sought.
However, Councillor Chris Olmstead suggested council look at it as a way of supporting a local business.
“Maybe this will spur on other business,” he said. “We can review the lease after two years. For now, we bite the bullet.”
Coun. McLaughlin suggested the lease be amended that it can be a year, instead of two, to give three months notice for each of the parties to give notice to vacate.
It was agreed to sign the lease as it was presented with Coun. McLaughlin opposing.
