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Feature Article December 9, 2004

Feature article December 9, 2004

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Robinson Walks out on SSWA again

by Wilma Kenny

Due to weather, neither Bedford councillor was present, so the installation of Councillor Hahn as Deputy Mayor was postponed.

ROBINSONS REFUSAL TO HEAR SSWA COMES UNDER FIRE

Richard Munroe of the Sydenham Safe Water Association came as a delegation to council, saying, "We have been critical, and we have been ignored." He referred in particular to the fact that Deputy Mayor/Councillor Robinson had twice before walked out of a meeting prior to a SSWA presentation, without explanation. (Robinson asked to be excused, and left tonights meeting just before Munroes presentation.)

Munroe referred to several sections of the Municipal Act of 2001, asking whether this refusal by an elected official to listen to taxpayers delegations was sufficient grounds for disqualification. A letter from Robinson was brought forward, accusing Munroe of having referred to the Portland District Councillors as "aliens." Someone brought up the phrase "deaf, dumb and blind" as another slur that had been directed at council. This led to Munroes explanation that although he had referred to outsider councillors, the terms in question had been used by individuals who were not members of the SSWA. Councillor Smith disagreed. Davison said he didnt feel the SSWA represented all Sydenham residents: he had talked to many villagers who were in favour of the water plans. Things went downhill from there. Mayor Lake concluded the discussion by saying that he controlled Township meetings, and could grant individuals permission to leave meetings. CAO Burns checked the procedural by-law, and said there was nothing that forbade leaving a meeting. Munroe left the floor, and Robinson returned.

FISH CREEK SITE: ACTUAL COSTS SOAR ABOVE TSH ESTIMATE Closure of the Fish Creek Waste disposal Site, estimated by Totten, Sims, Hubicki, Engineering firm to be $60,000, will cost the Township much more. The lowest of four tendered bids was $93,178. Additional costs alone are over $23,000 (Engineering, $14,200; Certificate of Approval, $4,700; Contingencies Allowance, $4,922). Total estimated project cost is now $117,000. Councillor Smith pointed out that this is not the first time the engineering firm of TSH has submitted an estimate far below eventual cost.

INSURANCE RENEWAL Council agreed to renew their insurance with Jardine Insurance, their current broker, increasing liability to cover up to ten events per year, and increasing Volunteer Firefighters Accident principal sum from $100,000 to $150,000. CAO Burns recommended Township consider setting up a reserve fund to cover deductibles.

COMMITTEE OF ADJUSTMENT Council postponed appointing 2005 Committee of Adjustment until all members of Council could be present.

BEDFORD MINING ALERT Council authorized a letter in support of the Bedford Mining Alert Groups concerns with respect to exploration on private property in South Frontenac Township.

TRAILER BYLAW ENFORCEMENT BEGINS Early in the New Year, Council will be contacting all trailer owners in the Township in an attempt to resolve the issue of trailers situated illegally within the Township. Under the zoning by-laws, trailers are not allowed for habitation, unless in a designated trailer park. However, trailers situated and occupied continuously since before the date the former Township prohibited their use may be legal non-conforming and will be required to pay a license fee.

Dates trailers were prohibited in each District are: Portland - November 7, 1978; Bedford - September 27, 1983; Loughborough - June 7, 1982; Storrington - January 5, 1987. Trailers would have to have been placed on site prior to those dates to be a legal non-conforming use. Residents will be required to remove all other trailers by May 15, 2005.

Although Councillors Barr and Vandewal have expressed concern about lack of provision for allowing temporary location of visiting trailers, no motion to amend the zoning act has been brought forward yet.

With the participation of the Government of Canada