By CONNIE TABBERT
Editor
COBDEN — The proposed capital works projects budget, similar to a Christmas Wish List by children, is $2.150 million for Whitewater Region.
Council held a special meeting last night to get a first look at the proposed spending by the various departments throughout the township.
The Physical Services department comes in at the highest with a total of $1.548 million. The breakdown is $775,746.82 for road construction; $748,720 for equipment and $24,000 for building maintenance.
The roads to be worked on include Industrial Park, $50,000; Kohlsmith, $38,000; Kerr Line, $140,000; Cornerview, $70,650; Truelove, $172,493; Snake River Line, $160,000; Turcotte, $90,000; Cedar Haven, $94,800; Westross, $21,050 and Hydro Bay, $25,000.
Equipment purchases include a new tandem; a three-ton truck; a 1 one truck, a service truck and a new compressor. The proposed budget of $30,550 for a service truck is for the township mechanic.
Councillors Daryl McLaughlin and Charlene Jackson had concerns with this purchase. Coun. McLaughlin recalled when a truck and van were purchased for the fire department – and then had to be replaced because they wore out and they needed replacing.
“Will we need to purchase another one when this one wears out,” he questioned. “Do we necessarily need one?”
Coun. Jackson suggested contacting the County of Renfrew to see if any used ambulances were going to be put up for sale and possibly purchasing one of those to be retrofitted as a service truck. It could then not only carry supplies and mechanic tools, but keep township employees warm when out on a water or sewer line break.
Randy Buchwalt, the township’s new roads supervisor, said the service truck would be better equipped for a mechanic.
“It saves on a tow truck and Terry (the mechanic) can work on the side of the road,” he said.
Chief Administrative Officer Robert Tremblay said due to the nature of the work, this truck is best suited, however, the county would be contacted regarding a used ambulance.
Mayor Hal Johnson noted a new service truck would cost in the neighbourhood of $300,000.
Therefore, the price on this used service truck, which has reasonably low mileage, would be “quite an investment” and would allow the mechanic “to do all sorts of repairs” where he is needed, the mayor explained.
Coun. Jackson questioned, “If the county doesn’t have one, why do we need one,” and CAO Tremblay said, “Because they tow.”
It was agreed if necessary, this could be an item struck from the budget.
The only purchase approved by resolution at this meeting was for a one-ton truck at a cost of $65,150.
The second highest proposed expenditures is for the fire department at $251,869. The expenditures include Breathing Apparatus (BAs); bunker gear, respirators; extrication equipment; infrared camera; paying off the Westmeath fire truck; completing a fire masterplan and doing a fire hall condition assessment on all five fire halls.
Coun. Jackson is hopeful the extrication equipment will not be purchased prior to the completion of the masterplan, which is expected to take about five months to complete. It was also suggested the infrared camera not be purchased until the plan is complete as well.
CAO Tremblay said the BAs, bunker gear and respirators need to be purchased for the safety of firefighters.
Coun. McLaughlin agreed, noting he toured four of the five fire halls and noted the BAs at the Foresters Falls fire hall “were well outdated. If they get used and fail, who’s in trouble,” he questioned. He also suggested that 10 bunker gear be purchased each year since there are just under 80 firefighters and each bunker gear can last no more than 10 years.
CAO Tremblay noted that the $30,000 master plan will review the current and long-term fire department needs in terms of fire halls, equipment, vehicles, deployment and staffing.
The Administration Building is the third most expensive proposed budget, coming in at just under $111,800.
Treasurer Marsha Hawthorne noted this includes the purchase of ICompass, which is a meeting and records management solutions for local governments (already approved at an earlier council meeting); redesign of the website (already approved at an earlier council meeting); a new server to upgrade to the new ICity RIM, which is municipal software; Image Advantage which will allow for scanning of bylaws, council meetings and maps and office renovations and furniture.
CAO Tremblay noted with the addition of a managerial position, more office space is needed in the municipal office. The mayor’s office will become CAO Tremblay’s office; the lobby area of council chambers could possibly become a board room/mayor’s office and another area just outside council chamber’s can be changed into a small office.
The proposed budget for these renovations is $15,000.
Coun. McLaughlin recalled when the renovations were done to the former Memorial Hall to include it as part of the municipal office.
“Back then we said, ‘oh my gosh, we have so much room’,” he recalled. “Well, obviously not.”
Following the meeting, Mayor Johnson and CAO Tremblay both stated the large stained glass window would still be seen by those who are in the lobby of the council chambers.
The sewer treatment plant comes in at $102,299, which is for the unfinanced portion of cast in place; unfinanced back-up sewer generator and True Love design/engineering road proportion costs.
The proposed recreation budget is $80,295. This includes $42,000 for the Cobden arena and $38,000 for the Beachburg arena.
The proposed water budget is $51,748, which is for the True Love design/engineering road proportion costs.
The proposed building department budget is $2,575 for a tablet and program, which will allow the Chief Building Official to send emails to contractors/owners from the job site, as well as input information from the job site, instead of manually inputting after each visit.
Coun. Jackson, chair of the corporate services committee, thanked the staff for working on this proposed budget, noting they are working short-staffed.
Ms. Hawthorne noted council will review the operations budget next Wednesday, March 29, at 5 p.m.
A public meeting will be held Wednesday, April 5 at 6 p.m. to allow the public an opportunity to speak, or make submissions, towards the proposed capital works budget.
