The Council heard the Third Quarter Administrative Report for information purposes.
“Through the township issued 24 building permits including 30 new dwellings and septic systems among others.” Planner Ivan Burton said. “We operated the tourist booth for the first time since 2020, and coordinated 20 volunteers.”
“Councillor Mackay and Mayor Moore joined me in a tour of Glassworks Botanics. We discussed the current operations of Glasshouse Botanics and the future in that industrial park.”
Treasurer Sean Croziers. “We had 382 utility accounts in arrears. As of September 30th we had 3.4 million dollars owed to us in terms of taxes utility and accounts received. We processed 116 tax certificates. We secured for the Compacter Drum-roller and the John Deere grader.”
They also began preliminary work for the interim audit.
Fire Chief Jonathan McLaren on Fire “Third quarter for fire was quite busy.” he said. “ We had 28 emergency calls and had a great number of automobile accidents, likely due to the busy traffic and lifting of COVID restrictions. One of which being an extraction.”
He also said several firefighters were promoted to Lieutenants: John Malcolm, Mike Meadows, John Cull, Aaron Snyder, Wade Lumax, and Marc McCulloch.
He also said they were ‘looking forward’ to their Alarms for Life initiative.
“We have grant funding until the end of June. One of them is for the frozen meals program.” CAO Trembley said.
He said 10 weddings were officiated in the third quarter. “That’s just Carmen Miller in the council chambers. That’s not even including the new people we’ve picked up who just need to finalize the paperwork. Obviously, it’s a service that people require.
He also said ‘significant work’ was put into updating the Township human resources policy.
“The Westmeath Rec Task Force did a household survey of 115 households, so expect a report in the new year. We’re hoping to duplicate similar results around the region.”
“For health and safety. We’ve coordinated working from heights for staff, just as a refresher.”
Parks and Rec Jordan Durocher reported: “Sports were somewhat revived before restrictions did take place. We had a few hours rented for the slab, we had our upstairs hall rented for 16 hours. We also hosted a few vaccination clinics.”
“The Boyer-Laderoute parkette. What work was to be completed was competed.” he said. “We are looking for future amenities to take place in 2022.”
They also had “accessibility upgrades” at the Beachburg arena, and “major brine leak that was repaired in good time.”
In Westmeath arena., he said an assessment of water issues is to be completed in Q4.
Lane Cleroux reported on public works.: “We had 200 residents visit the Fall Hazardous Waste Event on October 25. We had 125 refrigerators degassed at the landfill. The Grey Street and Ann Street project was completed by B.R. Fulton. The project was also started on Olmstead Jeffrey lake road. T
“The department received the new John Deer grader, and completed 7 culverts.” he said. “Three of the Seven Gravel roads were completed The generator at Haley Station treatment center was replaced.”
“This is an odd quarter to report on; it’s too early to see what kind of surplus or deficit position we will be in.” Crozier said. “If you look at the graph, it says we should be in a surplus position, but there’s still a lot of costs to go out, and those will be reconciled in the new year.”
Clerk Carmen Miller reported 28 by-laws, 48 staff reports, and 2 public meetings.
“I want to thank stats for this report.” CAO said. “It felt like this year only started yesterday but it really started in 2019 with the flood, and then two and two-and a half-years of COVID. The work cannot be completed without staff. I just want to express my thanks for the work they do every day.”
There were no questions and the motion was carried.
