AH Council Sends Unreasonable Behaviour Policy Back To Solicitor

Craig Bakay | Oct 11, 2023

Addington Highlands’ controversial proposed Unreasonable Behaviour Policy is going back to the Township’s solicitor for reworking following Coun. Ken Hook’s request at the Oct. 3 regular Council meeting in Flinton.

Hook’s request came in the form of an email to CAO/Clerk-Treasurer Christine Reed in which he raised his concerns about the determination of what constitutes unreasonable behaviour, whether it requires additional actions and who should determine said actions as well as notification to the ‘offender’ about what restrictions are being applied, their duration and what appeal process may be available.

Reed responded that she too had some questions about having the CAO make the determination of unreasonable behaviour and imposing the restrictions in that the CAO is quite often the target of the harassment.

Also, “the solicitor explained that making Council the body which determines what behaviour is unreasonable and what, if any, restrictions should apply, it effectively eliminates any appeal mechanism,” Reed wrote. “In addition, by having the matter go to Council for consideration, it lengthens the response time between the behaviour and remedy.”

Dep. Reeve Tony Fritsch said that he too had concerns about response time.

“It could take two to three weeks to bring to Council,” Fritsch said. “It slows the process down.”

Hook said he didn’t see any reason why Council couldn’t make the decision on both the initial decision and any appeal.

“I just don’t think the burden of that should be on the shoulders of the CAO,” Hook said.

After a motion was carried to return the policy to the solicitor, Council gave leave to resident Stephanie Morrisett who said she had a petition with 143 signatures expressing concern about the proposed policy.

“I can tell you that 100 per cent of the people that signed this petition do not want this policy,” she said.

She also said that people were asking about what restrictions could be imposed such as emergency services, use of the hall and/or skating rink and communications with the Township (and what forms of communications).

Coun. Kirby Thompson responded: “I appreciate everything you’ve said but the public has to understand that it’s not a policy against the public. Nobody’s going to lose their rights.

“Only if you are attacking municipal staff . . . we as councillors are used to that but we have to abide by a code of conduct and all we’re asking the public is to abide by a code of conduct.

“You can contact the Township office with any questions but when it’s repeated and repeated and repeated where it bogs down the effectiveness of the office . . .

“The Ontario Ombudsman’s office has the same policy. It’s not something that’s new.”

Playground Equipment

Coun. Helen Yanch took exception to an email from Marlean McLean in which McLean questioned the openness of discussions regarding the replacement of playground equipment at Heritage Park, the Addington Highlands Community Centre, Flinton Park and Tracy Park.

“Unfortunately, our playgrounds were not maintained,” McLean wrote.

While it is true that independent inspections revealed issues that needed to be addressed, McLean’s allegations that there was little to no communication about the process didn’t sit well with Yanch, a member of the Facilities and Recreation Committee.

“I quite resent saying there’s no information,” Yanch said. “We have meetings, they’re open, (people) are welcome to come, it’s in the minutes and if they want to know, they can pick up the phone . . . I’m available, as are staff and so are the rest of the councillors.”

Yanch proceeded to give “an overview of the decisions made in the past few months,” in which $3,051 was spent making upgrades (an application for a Trillium Grant is still awaiting a decision).

As to who made the decision to remove playground equipment Sept. 22, Roads and Waste Manager Brett Reavie said it was his decision as to well “based on the availability of equipment to do the work.”

CAO/Clerk-Treasurer Christine Reed said that “yes, Brett picked the dates but I was the one who gave the instructions, based on the direction from Council.”

Chief Building Official David Twiddy said: “I can tell you that those playgrounds are now 100 per cent compliant.”

Road Report

Roads and Waste Manager Brett Reavie was blunt in his report: “Beavers are in full swing, filling up culverts all over the place.”

Doctor Recruitment

Council approved giving the Family Health Team $40,000 for physician recruitment.