Addington Highlands Council –
Jan 16/12

• In response to a request from the township that the OPP investigate the ongoing dumping of garbage on the Old Addington Road, the OPP sent a letter suggesting that the township put cameras in the trees. However, Roads Supervisor Royce Rosenblath and members of council questioned the legality of such action. It was felt that the township would also have to put up signs saying that surveillance cameras were in use. The township will look into the matter.

• The Municipality of Trent Hills is considering allowing ATVs to use municipal roads and sent a letter to Addington Highlands asking if they have had any ATV related incidents, accidents or claims. To date Addington Highlands has not had any ATV related insurance claims or problems, and Reeve Hogg said that he has only received one complaint, about dust created by ATVs. They will relay the information to Trent Hills.

• Pine Meadow Nursing Home will be starting their expansion project soon and Deputy Reeve Bill Cox brought forward a request from the home that the municipality waive the building permit fees. Reeve Hogg asked what the cost of the construction would be and Cox replied that it would probably be around $5 million. Council members pointed out that intensive inspections would have to be done for the project, and that the township would even have to use outside sources for some of them, which would cost the municipality quite a lot. Council decided that Pine Meadow will have to cover the township’s costs. Once the project plans are firmer they will give the home an estimate of the inspection costs so that they can be included in the project’s budget. Pine Meadow is a non-profit organization.

• The Denbigh hall rental fee will be waived for Meals on Wheels, with the stipulation that the kitchen be left in the same condition in which it is found.

• Reeve Hogg questioned the December oil bill for the new Addington Highlands Community Centre Denbigh, saying that the bill was very high and December wasn’t a cold month. Councilor Tony Fritsch confirmed that the temperature is set as low as possible in the unused areas of the building.

• Royce Rosenblath is continuing to work on developing a policy for unmaintained township roads. He hopes to present a map to council soon.

• Hydro One will start work in January to replace 8 wood pole structures of the transmission line that runs between Ardoch Distribution Station (DS) and the Northbrook DS.

• The grand total of building construction for 2011 was $3,321,507.40, with 109 permits being issued. The figures include 6 new homes, with one being a rebuild after a fire, and eight new cottages.

The total represents a drop from 2010, when the total construction value was $4,517,190.

• The Mississippi Valley Conservation levy to the township will be $4093 this year, up from $3881 last year.