Addington Highlands to consider partnership with Metis Council for grant applications

Craig Bakay | Jun 07, 2017

Addington Highlands Council is considering a “partnership” with the Highland Waters Metis Community Council for things such as grant applications, following a presentation by Highland Waters representative Candace Lloyd at the regular Addington Highlands Council meeting Monday in Flinton.

Lloyd gave an overview of her Council and the Highland Waters in general, which represents about 500 registered members and about another 200 Metis under the age of 14 in a geographical area beginning at Paudash in the northwest, Smith Falls in the northeast, the intersection of Highways 15 and 401 in the southeast and Wellers Bay in the southwest.

“We partnered with the school board and you’re our closest municipal government,” said Lloyd (the Highland Waters Council offices are in North Point Square in Northbrook). “We are proposing a partnership with Addington Highlands for grants requiring an aboriginal component.

“We’d like a letter of intent or memorandum of understanding to share information.”

“We haven’t had much luck applying for grants either,” said Coun. Kirby Thompson.

Coun. Bill Cox pointed out that Highland Waters does provide several services in the community such as paying for a support worker at Pine Meadows Nursing Home.

Council agreed to look into the proposal and did agree to waive the $250 hall rental fee for Highland Waters’ annual general meeting June 17 at Flinton Township Hall (1-4 p.m.). The public is invited to the meeting.

Staying put on insepctions
Responding to a letter requesting the Township to conduct septic inspections, Council accepted deputy clerk/planning secretary Patricia Gray’s report recommending continuation of the 2010 agreement with the KFLA Health Unit to conduct septic inspections.

“I spoke with the chief building official from the Health Unit (and) he said that if Council is considering withdrawing from the program, the Health Unit would like the opportunity to discuss it with Council,” Gray said in her report. “If the service that is being provided needs improvement, they would like the opportunity to work on this.”

She said the Health Unit is willing to arrange inspections (when possible) at the same time as building inspections so that contractors do not have to make multiple trips to the site.

“I don’t see them getting out of septic inspections in the short term,” said Coun. Bill Cox.

Mayor Henry Hogg noted that there could be policy changes at the Health Unit when Medical Officer of Health, Ian Gemmill retires at the end of June. Gemmill will be replaced by current associate medical officer of health, Kieran Moore.

Fee waived
Responding to a request to waive zoning bylaw amendment fees, Council approved a waiver of the application fee, but not the costs involved in a zoning bylaw amendment.

“Costs are costs but we can waive the application fee,” said Mayor Henry Hogg.

Freeburn returning to lead hand role
Council has accepted the resignation of Road and Waste Management Supervisor Mark Freeburn.

Freeburn, who replaced long-time supervisor Royce Rosenblath when he retired in February, will be returning to his former position as Lead Hand.

The Township is accepting applications for the Supervisor position until June 16 at 4 p.m.