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THURSDAY MARCH 16, 2017

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Independent. BRIGHTON

CONNECTED TO YOUR COMMUNITY INSIDEBELLEVILLE.COM

Council tackles budget bylaw, economic development and watermain project BY SARAH HYATT

Brighton – Despite some hot topics, it was mostly smooth sailing for Brighton council on Monday. From an Ombudsman of Ontario visit, to Coffee with the Mayor, the budget bylaw, economic development and the Georgina Street watermain project, council tackled a notable list in what seemed like record time. Mayor Mark Walas announced the Coffee with the Mayor initiative will continue, but in a new location. The time (9 a.m. to 10 a.m.) and day (the second Monday of every month) will stay the same, but residents will meet with the mayor at the Friendly Drop-in Centre. The centre is located downstairs at 35 Alice St. Walas’ announcement follows a committee-of-the-whole budget meeting, at which councillors raised concerns about sessions being hosted at the King Edward Park Community Centre. A recommendation was made at that meeting for staff to review policies for the rental of municipal facilities as they relate to free rentals for council members. It was also recommended no member of council

Councillor Brian Ostrander pushes for the revival of the Brighton economic development committee, at Monday’s council meeting. Sarah Hyatt/Metroland

use the centre for free until the review is completed. Prior to passing the budget bylaw, council approved the minutes of that budget meeting – which means, the recommendation was approved. Walas chose not to debate concerns Monday, but to focus on moving forward. The resolution provides staff with the opportunity to revisit the policy and from there, staff can clarify for all of council as to how municipal facilities can be utilized for members of council, said Walas. Within those same min-

utes was a recommendation to staff, to invite the Ontario Ministry of Transportation to hold a public information session. The focus would be on short-term resolutions for traffic control, at the intersection of County Road 30 and Telephone Road. Previously councillors John Martinello and Brian Ostrander explained with the recommendation, they hoped provided the public had the chance to speak with MTO staff, it might help lessen current concerns. Martinello brought forward discussion surrounding the

intersection initially, to make sure the municipality was prepared, in the event funds were needed for temporary measures or for construction. Again, as council approved the minutes, this recommendation was approved. This didn’t go unnoticed by resident David Green. Green expressed disappointment with councillors, reflecting on the meeting – which he said, should’ve concentrated on the budget. It was a bit of stretch to have those items discussed at a budget meeting, he added. Green wasn’t debating the validity of issues, but said it was inappropriate for those discussions to take place at that time and expressed concerns over process. Residents may have attended a meeting, with those items on the agenda, he noted. The resident said council violated his trust. Walas reiterated Monday the intersection remains within the ministry’s jurisdiction. As for the budget bylaw, council approved it, with 5-2 in favour. (Please see Brighton proposes 2.45 per cent levy increase for the breakdown). Councillors Steven Baker and Martinello were the only

two opposed. Baker reiterated his concerns with council’s spending, when it came time to vote. Meanwhile Councillor Mary Tadman noted, as the municipality continues to grow – so does the need for services and operating costs. CAO Bill Watson’s provided an updated report concerning the Georgina Street watermain project. Council has now received the report and approved the payment in the amount of $41,330, plus HST. Engineering work is reportedly also paid, totaling just over $2,000. A staff review of the purchasing policy is still expected by April, as per council’s request and following Watson’s recent apology, as he mistakenly exceeded his authority for spending. As previously reported, the CAO mistakenly thought his signing authority was for $50,000. Watson has authority for projects up to $25,000. “As I see it this evening, we’ve had on a number of occasions our CAO openly apologize to council, staff and the community…that has been accepted and our job now is to continue to move forward,” said Walas.

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