Jeff Matson

Oct 15, 2014

Councillor

Jeff Matson – A more active role for councilors

Jeff Matson has been on Council for eight years, and just like in the family construction business, Matson & Sons, he has followed in his father's footsteps on municipal council. His father was a councilor, deputy reeve and reeve of Kennebec Council before amalgamation.

In his view Council and the township are doing pretty well.

“Staff and Council have done a pretty good job. We've had our staffing issues but that's par for the course,” he said, but he adds, “Council should take more of a role in supervising staff, especially the public works, which is our biggest budget item. There is a lot of wasteful spending in that area.”

He is sensitive to the concern that council should not micro-manage, but said, “Staff needs to bring better reports to council, reports that tell us what they have been doing and what they are planning to do for the next month. Council can take a more active role and do a better management job.”

Faced with increased policing costs he thinks the township should think about re-directing its construction efforts away from large projects and towards some of the smaller roads.

“You can make some of the smaller roads look pretty good for $5,000 or $10,000,” he said.

As to one of the issues facing council this coming year, he does not think it wise to delay the Parham fire hall project to see if the former Hinchinbrooke school property is available.

“I know the firefighters aren't happy where they are. They want a new building and they can build where they are and move back a little bit from the road,” he said.

Although he is now a senior member of council, he does not see himself seeking a role on Frontenac County Council if re-elected.

“I've been mulling it over in my mind, but I think the family business will keep me busy,” he said.