Addington Highlands office addition will require separate septic system

Craig Bakay | Nov 01, 2019

Addington Highlands Council authorized upping the amount of money it will be asking the Ontario Infrastructure and Lands Corporation to finance to $750,000 from the $696,500 it had originally planned to ask for, following a report from its chief building official/facilities manager.

The resolution was passed at a special Council meeting last Friday in Flinton.

In a letter to Council, David Twiddy said: “The current (septic) system serving the Addington Highlands Township Office has performed remarkably well but would be unable to effectively manage the loading requirements of the new addition.

“The recommendation from the Health Unit and my office would be to go with a stand-alone system for the new office addition.”

CAO/Clerk-Treasurer Christine Reed said that $300,000 for the addition project would be coming from reserves and while they’ll be applying for a $750,000 loan “we anticipate to use nothing more than $700,000.”

The new septic system could require the removal of some trees to accommodate a new septic bed.

Contacts for the new addition have already been awarded.

Andy Anderson Proposal

Former owner of the Kaladar Hotel and Community Centre volunteer Andy Anderson was at Council to plead the case for keeping the Community Centre open. But despite his impassioned plea, Council refused to re-visit its decision not to underwrite the Centre’s considerable cost-overruns.

“It’s in trouble,” Anderson said of the building on Hwy 7 scheduled to close at the end of October. “I realise it’s a private operation as opposed to a Township building but we don’t need another derelict building on a major road.”

Anderson pointed out that the Centre is a social hub for many people who don’t drive and suggested that if the Township can’t subsidize it, they could use it for office space instead of building a new addition. He also suggested that the ball fields in behind might be a good location for seniors housing.

“What we’re looking for is for the Township to back off on taxes, help with insurance and a new furnace,” Anderson said.

“Are they asking to keep ownership and have the Township pay the bills?” said Coun. Helen Yanch. “Their total expenses are $22,000 and they bring in $11,000.

“I don’t know how long the Township could keep paying that.”

Reeve Henry Hogg pointed out that representatives of the community centre sent a letter to the Township asking for help but at the Oct. 15 meeting, their request was denied.

In order for Council to re-consider the matter, a resolution requiring a two-thirds majority would be required.

Since no such resolution to bring back the matter was made, Council could only receive Anderson’s presentation