The Council of the Township of North Dundas held its regular meeting on October 12.
The meeting began with a 37-minute closed session, based on “personal matters about an identifiable individual, including municipal or local board employee.” (Section 239 (2) of The Municipal Act, 2001)
Council approved additional expenditures of $56,500 for Building Condition Assessments. Building Condition Assessments are required under the Asset Management Legislation. The tender for the assessments of 20 buildings has been awarded to Roth IAMS Ltd., but 31 buildings remain to be assessed.
Staff have sought out grants to finance this work, but there are none. Previously, the buildings had been assessed as a whole, but going forward, they must be assessed by components such as electrical, plumbing, roof, foundation, etc., to allow staff and Council to plan and prioritize repairs, replacements, and upgrades.
In addition, consideration of life cycles, risk assessments, cost estimates, and 15-year repair schedules are required to be compliant with the legislation. All of the Township’s facilities must undergo assessment.
Economic Development and Communications Director Stephen Mann presented Council with funding requests for expenditures under the Township’s Community Improvement Plan (CIP). Upon approval of a specific project, the CIP can cover up to 50% of an improvement expenditure.
Watters Financial was granted a $1,749 Façade Grant for gooseneck style lights above its branded awning on Main Street in Winchester. Illume Physiotherapy, a brand new business in town, was granted $375 towards signage for its new premises at 512 Main Street in Winchester. Flora Physiotherapy was also granted $388 towards signage. It sub-leases space from Illume Physiotherapy. These expenditures are budgeted for under the 2021 CIP.
In September, Council approved awarding various parts of the water and sewer infrastructure expansion and upgrades to J L Richardson & Associates Limited for $985,130. An additional $17,870 is required now, with an additional $453,000 to be included in the 2022 budget in order to cover the total cost of $1,003,000.
Doug Froats, Director of Waste Management, recommended replacing a part-time truck driver/labourer with a full-time truck driver/labourer to help support the expansion of waste management programs. This will help alleviate the need for current employees to work overtime in order to offer programs such as hazardous waste collection and leaf and yard waste collection. It also will allow hazardous waste to be routinely accepted at the Waste Facility, not just on specific Saturdays.
Each year, the Township awards up to five Community Grants of $400. Deadlines for applications are April 1 and September 1 of each year. Following the September 2021 applications, the Department of Recreation and Culture recommended that the Boys & Girls Club and the Winchester branch of the Ontario Early Years Centre each be awarded a $400 Community Grant.
As the Winchester Lions Club Hall is still being used as a COVID-19 Screening Centre, the Winchester Lions Club has been granted free use of the Joel Steele Community Hall for December 14 and 15 so that they can run their annual Christmas gift and food hamper program.
The Chesterville Arena is open, and the Sam Ault Arena (Winchester) will open on October 23. Council approved the hiring of 7 additional winter rink attendants and call-in facility operators. As per Ontario legislation concerning the opening of public venues, individuals must now provide proof of identification and double vaccination when entering any indoor event spaces and facilities used for sports and recreation.
The Township therefore must screen, ensure physical distancing and the use of PPE, and maintain a log of contact information for anyone entering Township facilities. Such compliance requires additional staff.
Clerk Jo-Anne McCasslin is set to retire at the end of 2021. The position was advertised for four weeks, and four candidates were interviewed by the hiring committee. The position has been awarded to the current Deputy Clerk, Nancy Johnston. She begins as Clerk on November 15 to shadow Ms McCasslin until the end of December to ensure a smooth transition.
The Township and Lactalis will share the $10K cost for cantilevered street signs for the Ault Way portion of Main Street, Winchester. $20K had previously been budgeted for the Ault Legacy Project, funded equally by Lactalis and the Township. Prior to the Ault Way street signs, and the revisions to 100 Club Park signs, $18K had been spent including the mural, the unveiling of the mural, and the Sam Ault Arena sign. Lactalis has agreed to increase the budget by $5K, and the Township will match that from the surplus reserve funds.
Council also approved the cost of$47K + HST for the replacement of the HVAC system at the Old Town Hall. Six bids were received, and the tender was awarded to ATEL Air.
Upon recommendation from the Eastern Ontario Health Unit (EOHU), the Township is in the final stages of implementing a COVID-19 Vaccination Policy.
The next meeting of Council will be held at 7 pm on October 26. Meetings are held the second and fourth Tuesday of each month in the Council Chambers. Members of the public are welcome to attend.
Barring any technological glitches, meetings are also broadcast on the Township’s YouTube channel. Agendas are available on the Township website prior to the meeting. Minutes of past meetings are also posted on the website.
