Council In A Feisty Mood By Kirk Winter
City of Kawartha Lakes Council started off the New Year on a combative note. Meeting for the first time since November 2017, multiple items were on the table, and much was said in a meeting that lasted almost three hours. In brief: • By a vote of 12-4, Council approved a notice to continue building a solar farm on Northline Road near Fenelon, despite the strenuous objection of Councillor Brian Junkin. He said that, despite what the City claimed, not all the adjacent land owners had been solicited for their approval. • A detailed and impassioned discussion was held about reopening the contract with the City’s current garbage and recycling provider. With the success of the clear bag program, staff said that less garbage is being picked up. Some Councillors felt the reduction in work for the company currently handling the contract could mean savings for the City. A decision was made to extend the contract with Miller for another two years as the City still does not have a funding model from the province regarding how they plan to assist municipalities with waste disposal in the future. That model has been promised in the next 12 to 18 months. • There was some debate about spiralling water costs right across the City, during a discussion about the possibility of switching to a new company for the City’s water and wastewater treatment operations.
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Council made a decision to extend with the current provider based on their exemplary service and quality product being produced. • Speeding on Cottingham Road, Meadowview Road and Hayes Line generated much discussion. Vehicles have been clocked along these roads in excess of 100 kilometers per hour, well over the posted limit. Local residents wanted speeds lowered in some places to 60 kilometers an hour, and more vigilant enforcement by the OPP. Council decided to install warning signs about speed limits as well as temporary electronic speed boards that show drivers their speed. • The River Road bridge reconstruction looks to be “the story that never seems to end” for affected residents in View Lake. The project was supposed to be finished last October. It is now slated to be completed in June. Council showed significant concern for affected residents whose businesses and farms have been disrupted by the closing of this key transportation artery. They blame cold weather and the bankruptcy of a key sub-contractor for the delays. • The last major issue discussed was the discrepancy between what bulk carriers of potable water pay to fill their trucks versus what households pay to turn on the tap. Bulk water users are paying 25 percent less than residential users and many found that to be unfair. This topic was referred back to staff for a report that will hopefully be available to council as soon as February. For those who have never seen a Council meeting, you missed one for the ages as both the Mayor and Council showed considerable breadth of knowledge on a dizzying number of issues. I found Councillors Gord James, Brian Junkin, Doug Elmslie and Heather Stauble particularly impressive in advocating for the voters who sent them to City Hall. It was a pleasure to watch them in action.
Nomination Categories
Employee Achievement Award Not for Profit Achievement Award Business Achievement Award Citizen of the Year Award New Business Achievement Award Tourism Achievement Award Hospitality Award Creative Arts Achievement Award Nomination Forms Available Online at www.Bobcaygeon.org and at the Chamber office
Deadline Monday, March 12, 2018. Submit to the Chamber Office. 2017 Awards of Excellence Ceremony & Banquet Saturday, April 28th, 2018. Lakeview Arts Barn. Call Chamber Office for Ticket Information. Bobcaygeon & Area Chamber of Commerce 21 Canal St. P.O. Box 388 Bobcaygeon ON K0M 1A0 Tel: 705-738-2202 Fax: 705-738-1534
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February 8, 2018 - The Kawartha Promoter
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