Times-Advocate, 1996-05-08, Page 3SPP—
Times Advocate, May 8, 1996 Page 3
,Public meeting on amalgamation planned
By Brenda Burke
T -A Reporter
CAN - The Township of Biddulph and Village of Lucan aim to hold
a blic meeting on June 10 to present their findings on amalgamation.
I think the format of it is critical," said Lucan Reeve Tom McLaughlin
at the committee's April 29 meeting.
He suggested a professional give a presentation in order to "gain cred-
ibility" and maintain crowd management. The meeting, likely to be held at
the arena hall, may also include a question and answer period as well as
information booths.
"As long as we have most of the questions ready when the public asks,"
said Lucan Administrator and Clerk, Ron Reymer, "I think we'll be in
pret#y good shape."
The meeting, which is to attract an estimated 200 people, may
also include a guest speaker from Huron or Aldborough Town-
ship, two areas Biddulph Clerk -Treasurer Lawrence Hotson has
conversed with concerning their recent amalgamations with oth-
er municipalities.
Biddulph Deputy Reeve Herman Steffens suggested having a
gueit speaker who is also against amalgamation in order to
present "both sides of the coin" since "there will be some
bumps" in the converging process.
Hutson reported Aldborough recommended a merger not take
place mid -year due to extra costs involved. By joining on Jan. 1,
he said, these expenses can be eliminated. He indicated both townships re-
spogded favorably to amalgamation, with no tax increases directly re-
sulting from the merger.
The consolidation decision for Lucan and Biddulph is to be finalized by
Jan.;1, 1997 with a potential amalgamation taking place on Jan. 1, 1998.
McLaughlin suggested the councils combine gradually, exchanging min-
utes., for the first nine months of 1997, then conducting joint meetings for
the remainder of the year.
Hotson reviewed specifics of amalgamation requirements and reported
offiyial plans, zoning bylaws and Lucan's Development Charge Bylaw do
not need to be altered in the process.
Also, he found the present term of council may be extended until Jan. 1,
1998 so the new combined council is able to assume office at the be-
ginning of a calendar year. Although the 1997 election would be held as
usual, there would be a one-month delay until the new council could as-
sume its duties.
"I don't think you'll have any problem doing what you want to do," said
John. Currie, a municipal advisor with the Ministry of Municipal Affairs,
adding amalgamation legislation is extremely flexible.
At the committee's April 11 meeting, Currie pointed out the public
needs to accept the amalgamation process on a philosophical level before
specifics are determined.
He advised the group to decide what services it wants to supply res-
idents, taking into consideration services crossing boundaries into neigh-
boring municipalities he said the committee should include in its dis-
cus3'ions along with the county.
McLaughlin replied practical answers are needed before public meetings
are held, as people would not be interested in philosophical discussions on
the matter.
"As 1
have m
questio
when
as
we'll b
ty goo
Hydro Prospects
Currie didn't think the Hydro Commission in the Police Village of Gran-
ton could be dissolved upon a merger. According to current legislation, the
Lucan Hydro Electric Commission can't be dissolved either.
At the committee's April 11 meeting, Currie indicated the hydro com-
missions could not presently be replaced by a committee of council, but
that council as a whole may be able to act as the Hydro Commission. In
the meantime he was informed Lucan Hydro services Granton and that its
elected trustees appoint themselves as hydro commissioners.
If the Granton Hydro Commission were dissolved by referendum, he ex-
plained, Ontario Hydro would automatically assume ownership of the dis-
tribution system and assets, returning rates to the rural rate schedule. In
other cases where hydro commissions have ceased to exist, Ontario Hydro
assumed all assets.
McLaughlin suggested Hydro may be seeking to sell its ex-
isting distribution system and as a result the committee
should be careful to ensure it does not download the entire
Biddulph Township grid as a result of amalgamation. The
capital cost of purchasing the distribution system, he said,
would likely jeopardize the merger process.
Garbage Collection
It was noted Lucan's garbage agreement expires June 30
while Biddulph's ends Dec. 31. As a result, Lucan Council
will consider extending its existing agreement by six months
in order to conduct a joint garbage collection or co -collection
tender with Biddulph beginning Jan. 1.
It was agreed the clerks will meet after June 30 to review Lucan's gar-
bage costs on the user pay system in order to assist Biddulph in its de-
cision to utilize such a system.
"I believe co -collection is the way to go in the future," said Hotson.
McLaughlin felt user pay garbage rates may decrease later, using Park-
hill as an example of one community that believes its rates may decline as
early as next year. Currie suggested avoiding lowering garbage rates dras-
tically due to the long-term expense of closing a landfill site.
Equipment Costs
Reymer reviewed the public works equipment replacement schedule pre-
pared by the two superintendents, listing each municipality's equipment as
well as projected replacement dates and costs.
If amalgamation were to take place, costs are estimated at $586,500. If
amalgamation does not take place, Lucan and Biddulph would spend a
combined approximate total of $729,000 to replace equipment. Reymer
pointed out there could be a resulting cost savings of approximately
$142,500 during the next 11 years under amalgamation.
Lucan Deputy Reeve Harry Wraith suggested this estimate fails to take
operating costs such as maintenance, fuel and insurance into account,
which would result in further savings.
Staffing
The April 29 meeting concluded with a Committee of the Whole session
that resulted in staffing recommendations including all currently employed
staff be retained and that one public works employee due to retire next
year not be replaced.
Staffing is to be reviewed six months following amalgamation. The
committee also requires staff to prepare a report to compare each mun-
cipality's employee benefit package for the next joint meeting on May 13.
ong as we
ost of the
ns ready
the public
ask I think
e in pret-
d shape."
Anti-governrnent protests continue
TORONTO - Today unions in "Peterborough area unions and
Ontario accepted an invitation from social activists have indicated that
the Peterborough and District La- this community is willing and pre-
bor Council to hold the next com- pared to host an `action day' in
mltgit� Adtidn"day'4ti'that city on'' Jude," said'C1ord Wilson, *esident
June 24. of the Ontario Federation of Labor.
Exeter Council briefs
EXETER - Exeter Council
learned Monday night the Exeter
Christian Reform Church is mov-
ing to the southwest corner of the
town because the location on Main
Street is just too small for a grow-
ing congregation. One hundred and
nine parking spaces, for instance,
have been planned, and the size of
the building is "massive" in com-
parison to the old building.
The Public Works Committee
rejected, with the concurrence of
Council, an application of Tom and
Bev Prout for a water connection
to a lot in Usbome Township. The
Committee stated, ". . . the request
for a water connection to the Prout
farm be denied as it does not fit the
criteria for connection that was
adopted by Usborne Township and
the Exeter PUC at the time the wa-
ter line was installed."
Council also learned Monday
night the Ministry of Environment
and Energy is closing its lab in
London in the very near future. All
municipalities will have to turn to
private labs for thbir testing, and
with the increase in the number of
tesg demanded, it appears that Ex-
eter's costs will skyrocket to
stp000 plus from the present
$ :000.
;Meter Pollee Services Board fi-
nally has a new member. Gerald
(Gerry) Downie was sworn in Mon-
day as the last member of the
board.
Reeve Bill Mickle reported on
the OSUM (Ontario Small Urban
Municipalities) Conference held in
Stratford last week. He said disen-
tanglement is again on the front
burner with the province attempt-
ing to determine what functions
should be performed by local gov-
ernment and what services the gov-
ernment should provide. For the
first time, education was placed on
the table. As well, local governing
authorities are waiting for the regu-
lations to accompany Bill 26 (the
Act which gave the province and
municipalities so much power).
This will be the fourth city to
host a community -wide protect in
the last five months. "Every city
and,gach day, of action has its own
personaiity," said Wilson who 'exu
pects the Peterborough area action
to be a day of education, communi-
cation and cooperation between lo-
cal area unions and community
groups.
With each passing month munici-
palities throughout Ontario are be-
ginning to see and feel the effects
of the provincial Conservatives'
funding cuts. By June 24 cities, like
Peterborough will be facing more
cuts from the upcoming Harris bud-
get. "Every neighborhood in Onta-
rio is feeling squeezed," said Wil-
son.
In a letter to OFL unions the pres-
ident of the Peterborough Labor
Council, Thomas Veitch said, 'Pe-
terborough has been hit hard by the
closures of Kawartha Plastics, Coca
Cola, downsizing of CGE, Out-
board Marie, City Hall, City Em-
ployees and many other jobs are be-
ing lost through... the current
economic policies...."
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