Addington Highlands receives grant for asset management planning

Craig Bakay | Sep 29, 2021

Addington Highlands was successful in its application for a $35,800 grant from the Federation of Canadian Municipalities Municipal Asset Management Program in order to advance Asset Management Planning in the Township, CAO/Clerk-Treasurer Christine Reed told Council at its regular meeting last Tuesday. And, by pairing with the County on an RFP for software as well as using the same software the roads department uses for mapping, achieved several efficiencies and saved considerable staff time.

The proposal includes the completion of building condition assessments on the Addington Highlands Community Centre — Denbigh, Denbigh Hall, Denbigh Fire Hall, Denbigh Garage, Northbrook Garage, Northbrook Medical Centre, Northbrook Fire Hall, Flinton Library and Flinton Hall and Municipal Office, she said.

“Once we get the results of the integrated information into our asset management plans, we’ll probably find ourselves surprised to some extent with the ‘to do’ list,” said Dep. Reeve Tony Fritsch.

“I agree with you that, and I hate to use this word, but we do seem to be fumbling around in the dark somewhat,” said Reed.

“Management by crisis,” said Reeve Henry Hogg.

“But this should give us a starting point and allow us to be a little more proactive rather than reactive,” said Reed.

Driving on Granite

After the Sept. 7 meeting, a copy of the report and map regarding revised road names was sent to members of the Ashby Lake South Shore Road Association for their information.

While the association was fine with the three road names (Whispering Pines Drive, Blandings Turtle Lane and Granite Drive) they did request that the roads that are assigned each name be changed slightly.

When asked what prompted the request, CAO/Clerk-Treasurer replied: “The owner who suggested Granite Drive will now be living on Granite Drive (after the changes).”

Buckshot Lake Road

Manager of Roads and Waste Brett Reavie reported that Buckshot Lake Road now only requires granular sealing before all surface work is completed.

“However, we will be doing a culvert liner at one location this fall,” he said. “The culvert liner is a new thing for us and involves putting an insert into the culvert that will make the culvert walls smooth rather than corrugated, thus retaining the same flow.

“Also, it won’t require digging up the culvert so there won’t be any disruption to traffic flow.”

Reavie also said the John Deere grader is back from repairs and is up and running in the Northbrook garage.

Emergency Water Access

Manager of Roads and Waste Reavie also reported that the Township has been working with the County and Mazinaw Property Owners’ Association for some specialty signage at Emergency Water Access Points on Mazinaw Lake.

“We want emergency water access points to be consistent on all lakes and I will provide more details once I have them,” he said.