Feature Article July 31, 2002
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Municipally owned properties need repairsby Will CybulskiAt North Frontenacs July 22 municipal meeting, Councillor Gleva Lemke reported that upgrading progress has been made at Plevnas recreation area, thanks to the Hockey Moms and Molsons Community Hero programs.
She also advised that damage resulting from Summerfest will make a different approach necessary before next years event. This year, the tent supplier drove stakes into the asphalt base of the rink surface, and although temporary repairs have been effected, one area is sink-holed already. In the past, the tent was supported by the use of barrels, but that set-up negated liability insurance, so another method will have to be found.
Ken Lindey, Chief Building Official, reported on repairs required at Ompah Community Hall. The problem stems from additions being made to the original structure, where a concrete slab was poured on poor ground. Subsequently, the floor has sunk. Lindey said that although the floor hasnt moved any farther in the past year, there was no guarantee that it wouldnt continue to shift. It would be cost-prohibitive to jack the slab up to try and repair it, Lindey said. Its unsightly as it is, but it isnt unsafe. My recommendation is to remove the cupboards and appliances, level the floor, and repair the drywall cracks.
Council also heard of difficulties encountered when crews try to stockpile sand in the salt shed on Road 506 in Ward 1. Public Works head John Ibey reported that, although a conveyer unit can be put in through the door to carry the material inside, such machinery cannot be removed once the shed is filled. A truck collision with the door makes it now sit at an angle, causing run-off to freeze in front.
Ibey and Chief Building official Ken Lindey have determined that the best fix for the shed is to put a dormer in the roof that would allow stockpiling from the outside, and a protective pitch roof should be built over the door. One tender had been received to effect modifications to the shed, but Council felt that the pricing submitted was way out of line.
The roof at Snow Road Hall is leaking and requires immediate repairs, but no response was received from anyone interested in tendering the job. Council has been stymied recently by not receiving quotes for some advertised projects, despite appropriate tenders being called. Municipal administrative staff are working with the townships auditors in developing policy to address this situation. Agreement was voiced that the spending of municipal money must stand the test of public scrutiny, in that no sense of favouritism might be construed. However, Council determined that where no tenders responded for urgently needed work, it was appropriate to solicit quotes from qualified sources.
