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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 1998-01-14, Page 6PAGE 6. THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 14, 1998. How staff positions will be filled still unclear `There will likely be change, whether we like it or not ' Blyth Reeve Mason Bailey Continued from page 1 specific recommendations regard- ing staffing, Knight noted it must be given careful consideration. Rationalization and specialization, while perhaps not resulting in sig- nificant decreases in staff levels, might allow staff to add more duties at the expense of consultants and other professionals. As several municipalities did not provide information on administra- tive function, Knight said the infor- mation was not complete. However, certain assumptions were made, that all municipalities have a full-time clerk-treasurer and most at least part-time support staff. If amalgamation is considered administrative functions would preferably be consolidated into as few as possible central locations. The suitability of existing facilities is also a consideration, Knight said, as many municipal offices are part of existing works sheds and have By Bonnie Gropp Citizen staff Before proceeding with restructuring talks, the North Huron Municipal Review Committee has agreed to get direction on a preferred option from local councils. At a meeting in Belgrave, Jan. 8, attended by representatives from nine of the 10 North Huron municipalities outlined in the terms of reference established by the committee (Wingham was not represented due to the inclement weather), the big question seemed to be what to do with the information from the interim report . Reps from the Townships of Morris, Turnberry and Ashfield, which had until this point declined to participate, were present primarily to hear the report. Some expressed the opinion that the committee's work was unnecessary. "I don't think they'll (the province) send a commissioner to Huron. I'd bet on it," said Turnberry Reeve Brian McBumey. "But you better be ready for a one-tier government if they do." Stuart Alton, a West Wawanosh councillor, asked what would make Huron any different than Kent County. McBumey responded that Kent was used as an example. "The province has been asked to send commissioners to two places now and they won't." Committee Chair Murray Scott of East Wawanosh said that Huron is one of only two places that does not have a plan in process. Ashfield Reeve Ben Van Diepenbeek said that the province wanted amalgamation to save money. "If there are going to be no savings why not show them? I don't think we should jump into something." Mason Bailey, reeve of Blyth, said that while he liked what he was hearing, the fact that Toronto voted 70 per cent against amalgamation and still couldn't stop it made him feel it was necessary to have a plan in place. "If they can do what they did to Toronto and Kent County, they'll do it to us. It's scary." McBurney countered that he didn't think a plan would stop the province if they stepped in. However, he also felt strongly that the county needed to be involved in the planning. County Administrator Lynn Murray said that issue is still up in the air. "Initially the county had been asked to stay out, however there seems to be more interest now in changing that." She added that the issue would be discussed at the strategic planning day, Jan.16. "Our feeling," said McBurney, "is that the county has to step in and co-ordinate with one plan for the whole county not five plans with splintered groups talking." Bailey said he didn't think anything realistic could happen without involvement from the county,and that a method could be developed to determine what each municipality thinks is best for them. "I think we can be ready for the worst and hope for the best." A letter was discussed from the Central Huron Municipalities Restructuring Committee which recommended the hiring of a consultant to prepare a restructuring study for the county to consider maintaining the status quo, single or two-tier systems. Murray said that the cost of a consultant could run anywhere from $20,000 to $100,000 depending on what the county asked of them. The letter also suggested a target date of mid- 1998 for completion and 1999 for implementation. Bailey said he thought this was moving too fast. "I think we should take as much time as allowed, first, to see how the restructuring works in Kent and Toronto and to give the government a chance to change its mind." A motion was made to inform the Central Huron group that North Huron didn't agree with their proposal but did believe there should he county involvement in the restructuring process. Grey Reeve Robin Dunbar said his township pushed for this committee because they were concerned that the province would say the time had come to amalgamate and Grey wouldn't have a plan. "It doesn't have to be agreeable now, but it should be at some time in the future, when everyone works together. One group can't go off on their own. The next step is to get an agreement on the proposal. We've been three years running around on this and I feel we need to come up with an answer." Bailey said his council too had come to terms with the fact that there was likely going to be change "whether we like it or not". "We have to live with the reality. I've been pleased to be involved with these meetings and I hope we can find a way to accommodate every municipality, a plan that everyone can construct themselves that will make us, not a winner, but less of a loser." West Wawanosh Reeve Doug Miller said that the time has come to move forward. "And it's time for the county to take a greater lead." Mike McKeon of Ashfield questioned the cost savings, which prompted Brussels Reeve Ralph Watson to say that the reduced number of municipalities would benefit the province financially, but there was little to suggest any great savings would come from a bigger government locally. Dunbar added, "Some studies show some savings, but not big. We knew at the beginning it's not an economic plan, this thing is political." Van Diepenbeek asked if the committee really thought the government would push them to amalgamate. "Just look at Metro Toronto," Miller responded. Morris Deputy-Reeve Keith Johnston stressed that his council was opposed to amalgamation. Dunbar noted committee felt the same way. "We are involved in a restructuring process. I think we aren't happy, but I am on the conservative side of this saying this is what we have to do." "But are we working for nothing?" asked Johnston. original hope of sharing services." The communities would have own- ership and control, he added, noting this would increase coverage and service. Wingham Chief Jim Dore explained that the municipalities could begin to share the service and if pleased could, down the road, apply to the solicitor-general to have the Wingham force disband ;and change its name to the North Huron Police Department. The major problem for some municipalities is that service must be contiguous, meaning that if Brussels approved the change, they could only have the service if Mor- ris or Turnberry agreed, as the police would have to travel through those townships to reach Brussels. McBurney said Turnberry has decided to stay with the OPP. Dunbar spoke in favour of the switch saying, "Everyone is talking about getting control back from Repeating McBurney's comment that if the province came in Huron could be looking at a one-tier government, Dunbar added, "I believe smaller is better. I would be happy if Grey could go on for another 147 years, but I don't think it will happen." Watson said ideally he would like to see the county "co-ordinate the groups we've got, and mold them to keep the county picture uniform, with direct involvement from the groups." Following the presentation of the report, Secretary Brad Knight read a request from Hullett asking to be included in the North Huron group. Bailey said their inclusion would be important to Blyth as many services are shared. When concern was expressed by East Wawanosh Councillor Fred Meier that this could have a snowball effect, Bailey noted that other nearby municipalities do not "have the interaction with this group that Hui-1w. has. I believe we should bend over backwards to accommodate what a municipality likes best." Noting that several councils had supported the option of the amalgamation of the 10 municipalities as opposed to two groupings of five Brussels Councillor Greg Wilson asked if the time had come to discuss this with all councils. "Some have made their decisions. Originally we looked at the two groupings, but that may not be the way it goes." Blyth and East Wawanosh had supported that first option, following Wingham's lead. Scott said, however, that the decision was made reluctantly. "But we realize some give and take is needed." Dunbar said that the option two groupings were not written in stone and had been selected as a basis. "If Morris and Turnbeny aren't happy the groupings can be reworked. This is just a beginning." 4 Those two municipalities had earlier expressed disatisfaction that they had not been put in the same group. He added that had the province come through with some population criteria to follow it would make things easier, but as they hadn't he preferred the second option as there were smaller populations. "The hope is that the information provided will be something for council to digest. But we're in this together, it all has to jive," he said. McBurney suggested that the strategic planning day might provide some insight and asked if the county said to ma'rtain the status quo would this group support it. "It's quite a gamble to dare Leach to do what he will," said Dunbar. "It is of the utmost importance that we reach an accord that all can accept and live with," said Bailey. Miller added, "Economics will dictate and if the province withdraws funds, I think in the end we will be forced." Watson agreed that the committee was open to any idea. "But we can't sit and do nothing. The province controls the pursestrings." A motion to ask councils their preferred option carried. Toronto. The OPP are run by the premier's office. Here we have an opportunity to seize control. With a population base of 10,000-15,000 I think it would be viable." With money from the Communi- ty Re-investment Fund available for the next two years, Scrimgeour said he felt the group should try this while "we have the chance". "In five years we won't," said Watson. The decision could be made to revert back to OPP, but not the other way around. West Wawanosh Reeve Doug Miller said, "I think there is merit in a second choice." The issue will be on council agendas for discussion. The purpose of the Transporta- tion and Works sub-committee was to get a "snapshot of what North Huron has and what we are doing," said Dunbar. An inventory was completed of roads, equipment and personnel. One aspect of transportation function that might experience sig- nificant savings is that of equip- ment replacement, as there is likely an excess in the municipalities of North Huron, said Dunbar/ Something else for consideration, he added, is the relationship with the county. A total of 92.5 km of the downloaded 169 km of provin- cial highway are in North Huron. It is equivalent to 78 per cent of the road system in Turnberry Twp. "Serious consideration should be given to the location of municipal sheds and equipment in relation to county roads and perhaps potential exists for several townships to pro- vide maintenance services to the county on a fee for service basis," said Dunbar. In his report from agriculture and environment Dunbar said drainage is a big issue with his present coun- cil. "I can't see a big municipality dealing with as many of these as we do. We should look at Kent to see how they are dealing with it." In recreation and culture, Howick Councillor Rosemary Rognvaldson, said the arenas are an area of poten- tial controversy and require careful handling. Some arenas are run by volunteers, which is a base that municipalities don't want to lose. "But it might be difficult if people across the road are getting paid for the same thing." Libraries and cemeteries were also covered in this report. Any amalgamation would have little impact. With regards to libraries the report said that savings would be unlikely unless the county struc- ture is changed or there is the option to leave the county system. Cemeteries, Rognvaldson said, can't be reduced, nor can "we pre- tend they don't exist. They are high maintenance with lots of factors affecting how they, are funded and operated." The report is being distributed to local councils. HELPING THE WORLD WRITE NOW CODE Self-sufficiency through literacy in the developing world For information, call 1-800-661-2633 therefore little potential for sale or lease. Responding to the comment that staff levels would not reduce great- ly, Turnberry Reeve Brian McBur- ney said, "I don't think if we amalgamate to the extent you sug- gest we will need all the adminis- tration staff we presently have." Committee Chair Ralph Watson said the comment allowed for attri- tion. "Many of the clerks have indi- cated that they would not seek a position if there was amalgama- tion." Also, he added the intent is to carry most of the staff until the amalgamation was complete. When West Wawanosh Council- lor Stuart Alton asked if the present staff were guaranteed a job or if they would have to re-apply, Wat- son said the committee had not gone that far. "There would be positions there, but at this point it's premature as to who will fill them." Concern was expressed about the potential for huge severance pack- ages. Blyth Reeve Mason Bailey noted that employees would likely have a year's notice which should lessen this impact. Grey Reeve Robin Dunbar point- ed out that at this point the group is just looking at the shape of the pos- sible municipality (ies) then will see what the needs are. "This com- mittee is trying to make it faceless." McBumey wondered if this was fair. "Isn't it a bit like having your wife ask if you like the new house? It depends on whether or not you're moving into it with her or not." Bailey stressed that the commit- tee was going to make every attempt to be fair to the employees. In the Protection to Persons and Property report, the establishment of a North Huron Police Depart- ment to deliver service rather than the OPP has, Blyth Councillor Doug Scrimgeour said, " nothing to do with amalgamation, but with the Restructuring group seeks councils' option