Feature Article January 29, 2004
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NF Council January 26
New pumper - Council received a report and recommendations from a joint fire board meeting for the Barrie/Kaladar fire department on the subject of the ailing 1974 pumper truck at the Northbrook station. Addington Highlands (AH) Reeve Ken Hook, who was selected at the meeting as chair of the joint fire board, told the meeting he had received enquiries from the fire Marshalls office about the pumpers status since it is not currently certified and cannot be certified until the tank on the trucks pumping unit is repaired. The cost of the job is estimated at $8-10,000.
It was noted that the truck has cost over $24,000 in repairs in recent years. Fire Chief Cuddy also confirmed that the truck would again be out of service if a repair was decided upon at this time.
The other option put forward was to replace the truck. The cost of this was pegged at $150,000, split between the AH and NF, and it might take up to a year to find a suitable truck. As to concerns about liability to the townships if a substandard truck is in use until a new one is found, Chief Cuddy said he had been advised that by making a firm commitment to purchase new equipment, the townships would be seen to be practicing due diligence.
The fire board decided to form a committee to look into the purchase of a new pumper, and this was ratified by North Frontenac Council.
Also on the Kaladar/Barrie fire department, Reeve Hook enquired about the 60%-40% cost sharing arrangement that is in place between AH and NF. Chief Cuddy advised that he understood it was based upon assessment in the Kaladar and Barrie Wards and upon call volumes. A subcommittee was formed of Reeve Hook and Councillor Will Cybulski from NF to review the matter.
Property Assessment Rural Eastern Ontario is not alone in its difficulties with the provincial property assessors, MPAC.
A letter was received from Sarnia City Council containing two motions for other Councils to adopt. The first concerns customer service by MPAC. It asks the provincial ministry of finance to undertake a review of MPACs role and responsibility with a view to improve the quality of assessment service and improve customer service.
Meanwhile, the Municipality of West Elgin, also in Southwestern Ontario, is asking the province to exempt seasonal trailers from what MPAC terms omitted assessments for 2003. This is currently a hot issue in North Frontenac since some campground owners received large extra tax bills in December for seasonal trailers that were occupied on their properties in 2003. Other campground owners can expect to receive similar charges for 2003 sometime in the future. A meeting on this matter will be held on February 13, at 10:00 am. MPAC officials, campground owners, and MPP Dombrowsky or a delegate will attend.
Both motions were endorsed by NF Council.
Travelling Road Show Winter may still be tightening its grip, but Council was still planning for warmer weather, deciding that between May and September the first Council meeting of the month will be held in the evenings in Ompah and Cloyne on a rotating basis. More details will be forthcoming when the warm weather actually makes an appearance.OPP CONFIRMED A request for a meeting with OPP officials from the Perth and Kaladar detachments to deal with questions about the level of service provided to North Frontenac residents has been accepted for the March 22nd Council meeting. Councillor Cybulski has prepared some questions, and other members of Council will look at them and consider others for written submission before the meeting. As part of what is called Status Quo policing, North Frontenac Township pays $90 per household to the OPP for service, and Council would like to know what the ratepayers are getting for their money.
