HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2009-11-19, Page 6PAGE 6. THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 2009.
Recognition
North Huron staff were
recognized with service
awards recently. Reeve Neil
Vincent made presentations
to, clockwise, from above:
Rob Kolkman, five years;
Kathy Adams (who also
recently received recognition
from the Association of
Municipal Clerks and
Treasurers for 20 years) 20
years and Rachelle Gerrie,
15 years. (Photo submitted)
North Huron council endorsed
changes to the Morris-Turnberry
request for proposal for fire service
at the Nov. 16 meeting.
Having submitted a quote of
$211,676 per year, North Huron fire
chief John Black has made some
changes to bring the amount to
$205,037.
Clerk-administrator Kriss Snell
said he and the chief had met
Monday with Morris-Turnberry
clerk-treasurer Nancy Michie, and
noted there had been “positive
progress on the RFP.”
One thing that changes is the fire
coverage area. “It has been re-jigged
for a more pyramid base so the
closest station will respond to calls.
I think it’s in the best interest of
everybody,” said Snell.
The education and prevention
component has been removed as
Morris-Turnberry plans to look after
that on its own, he explained.
“It comes down to costing,” said
Snell. “Morris-Turnberry’s costing
has gone up, but proportionately. I
think they just want to be sure that’s
what’s happening.”
He noted that the Morris-
Turnberry share doesn’t include any
capital costs for buildings.
Councillor Archie MacGowan felt
it would be a good exercise to show
what North Huron’s costs would be.
“I think there would be a benefit to
doing that.”
“Fire budgets used to be like this,”
said Snell, making a downward arc
with his arm, indicating that they
fluctuated in both directions on any
given year.
“Look at 2007 and this would be a
decrease.”
The new fire budget, he added,
“will be more straight lined. It’s
easier to deal with than one that’s all
over the map.”
Councillor Brock Vodden
wondered if it was possible to index
the costs on calls so both councils
could see the movement has been.
MacGowan said that Black had
taken an average over five years of
calls to determine costing. “I think
he’s done exactly what you’re
thinking.”
“Over rolling average,” said Snell,
“call volumes in those areas tend to
level out.”
“Having said that, it’s a bit of a
guessing game. There’s a certain
amount of risk this council takes on.
If Howson and Howson had a fire
that $200,000 wouldn’t even begin
to cover our costs.”
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Clinton, Ont.
519-482-3752 or
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N. Huron reviews changesto M-T fire service proposalBy Bonnie Gropp
The Citizen
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