A public meeting preceded the regularly scheduled Council meeting on December 5. The public meeting was held regarding a zoning amendment request for a property on Kerr’s Ridge Road. The request was to change a section of land from rural zoning to a mix of open space, restricted, and residential zoning for a future development that would include housing and a park. There were no comments from members of the public following the brief presentation. Mayor Tony Fraser and Councillor Gary Annable both expressed gratitude that future recreational planning is being discussed and proposed in the present, rather than leaving it for the future.
The first item on the regular meeting agenda was a delegation from Habitat for Humanity, requesting funding for their Critical Repairs Program, which helps low income families stay in their already affordable homes. Council received the presentation, and the Mayor commented that members would have a chance to discuss the request later this month. The same request was made of all municipalities across SD&G.
Another delegation was then heard from Bill Smirle regarding the most recent South Nation Conservation budget. Council then jumped into routine requests, such as a Façade Improvement Grant request and Commercial Improvement Loan request, both from Winchester Meadows Development Inc, and a request from CAO Calvin Pol for a small amount of funding to improve and secure the technology used to broadcast Council meetings. These requests were granted.
Council’s next move was to quickly approve a slightly amended performance review policy for the Township CAO. This came in the wake of some drama that ensued in October, when a disagreement over the performance review process for then CAO Angela Rutley led to 3 Council members walking out of open Council, and ultimately led to concerns being leveled that were almost certainly the reason for CAO Rutley’s termination.
For a price of just $1, Council next agreed to sell the Village Queen – a 1940 Chevrolet truck with a Hale Pump – to the North Dundas Fire Fighters Association. The truck will be used in parades and other events. The purpose of the sale is so that the Township no longer needs to bear the cost of the insurance for the truck.
The next motion passed saw that the Township will enter into an agreement with Circular Materials Ontario for the promotion and education of recycling in North Dundas. This motion was inspired by the confusion regarding a new recycling system set to take effect across the province in the new year, which has been particularly difficult for businesses, non-profits and service clubs to swallow as they will be left without recycling pick up service. “I hate to say it, but I think the province dropped the ball”, the Mayor commented regarding this issue. Council also approved an 8.7% rate increase for water and sewer services in Winchester and Chesterville, to ensure that there will be enough funds for things like equipment repairs and upgrades.
Council next heard the preliminary results of a Road Needs Study, including the fact that North and South Dundas will see paving of County Roads in 2026, where needed. Some options for improvements of Township roads were discussed, with a promise for more discussions in January, when the Study is finalized. Deputy Mayor Theresa Bergeron took the opportunity to comment on the immense cost of road improvements. “The problem we have in North Dundas is we have lots of roads, and our tax base is very small,” she said. “The taxpayer needs to understand… sure, we would love to have paved roads everywhere, but do you want to pay an extra 10-15% [in] taxes a year… to have those roads?” The Deputy Mayor placed the blame for the low North Dundas tax base on the lack of available water connections to spur growth. The Mayor expressed that he believes in listening to residents, and that residents already understand the financial constraints of the Township, while Councillors Matthew Uhrig and John Lennox expressed the importance of finding a balance based on what is most important to residents. The Mayor further commented his strong opinion that the Township needs to stop patching roads, and instead invest properly in road upgrades.
Council next heard a report about the rules regarding working hours for snow plow drivers, to help explain why the shifts are planned the way they are. Following a few more routine items, Council moved to closed session to discuss labour relations (specifically employee negotiations), before adjourning after just under 2.5 hours (including the public meeting). A special budget meeting is scheduled for December 18, but no more regular Council meetings are anticipated in 2024.
