From left, Remy (use accent) Charreyron, Heather Park-Wheeler, Eileen Weigold, Mayor Jennifer Murphy, Robert Miller and Nevill Carney. Absent, Kathy Lowden, Phil Reinke and Debbie Lazarus. Murphy recognized the food bank volunteers at the March 10 council meeting for the Township of Bonnechere Valley.
Robert Fisher
Staff Reporter
EGANVILLE – Council for the Township of Bonnechere Valley recognized the volunteers who staff the Eganville and District Community Food Bank at the March 10 council meeting, honouring the “extraordinary volunteers … who give so much of themselves for the well-being of others,” said Mayor Jennifer Murphy.
Murphy noted the importance of the food bank in the community providing more than just food. Offering compassion and dignity to the people they serve, as well. The volunteers work, often, without recognition to provide a profound impact for the community.
“You help neighbours stay hopeful. You help parents put meals on the table. You remind people they are not alone,” Murphy said.
“To the board members, the longtime volunteers, the new faces and everyone who contributes in big ways and small, thank you.”
Murphy recognized Robert Miller, Kathy Lowden, Phil Reinke, Heather Park-Wheeler, Rémy Charreyron, Eileen Weigold, Debbie Lazarus and Nevill Carney.
Fire
Fire Chief Darryl Wagner informed council he is reviewing the fire permit bylaw for open air burning. The hot, dry summers the region has seen the past few years are causing increased incidence of wildfires. Wagner noted other municipalities are taking similar steps and banning burning of brush during the fire season, which runs from April 1 to Oct. 31, “it is one less area of concern for our department,” his report states.
The chief noted that wildfires can take significant time and resources to fight. “I feel it’s best if we just eliminate (brush burning) before it becomes a problem.” The ban would impact daytime burning only, nighttime burning would still be permitted. Fires, with a permit, are allowed from two hours before sunset until two hours after sunrise. Anyone conducting a burn must stay with the fire, have suppression on hand and ensure the fire is completely extinguished before leaving it. Daytime burning bans are common in Renfrew County.
Coun. Meredith Caplan Jamieson pushed back on the possibility, suggested the township will receive negative feedback from residents who oppose more restrictions. “I think the rationale has to be really sound,” she said. “Would it be going overboard?” she asked.
“I would say we’re not going overboard with the summers we’ve been having,” Wagner replied. We’re putting ourselves at risk.”
The Province of Ontario rules for burning wood, brush and leaves are as follows:
Start the fire two hours before sunset at the earliest and extinguish not more than two hours after sunrise
Burn only one pile at a time
The burn pile must not be more than two metres in diameter and note more than two metres high
The fire must be at least two metres from any other flammable materials
Tools or water on hand appropriate to contain the fire without allowing spread, and
Ensure a responsible person stays at the burns site until the fire is completely extinguished
On the longest day of the year, June 21, sunrise is 5:23 a.m. and sunset on June 20 is 9:04 p.m. meaning a fire could be started at 7 p.m. and must be extinguished by 7:30 a.m.
Caplan Jamieson asked if exceptions could be instituted, for example, for a business that is not operating overnight. Wagner replied that if he makes one exception, other people will ask for exceptions.
Unmoved, Caplan Jamieson suggested her question is broader. “Are there some legitimate reasons why someone might need a daytime? If they were a business, that perhaps we should consider, as part of this, so you can build it in.”
Wagner reiterated that the rules are provincial legislation. “I can’t override that. Then we’re taking (the liability) on.”
“I just worry that, like, you know, you do something like this and people,” complain, “and I’m trying to ask the questions to, like, what might we get back that people will say we didn’t realize beforehand,” Caplan Jamieson pressed.
Wagner included 2026 Ministry of Natural Resources costs for fire suppression by provincial resources. A Canadair CL415 water bomber is $6,280 per hour after a $3,140 dispatch fee while a DeHavilland Twin Otter bomber is $3,474 per hour with a $1,737 dispatch fee and a birddog sighting plane is $2,415 per hour.
Coun. John Epps told council the Renfrew County woodlot owners association has invited a fire chief to speak at the group annual general meeting about woodlot fire management.
Public works
Works Superintendent Jason Zohr informed council that April 18 and 25 will be free spring cleanup collection days at the Sand Road waste site. Residents can take trash and materials collected from ditches to the waste site free of charge.
Following a complaint from a business owner on Fourth Chute Road about speeding, the township will begin deploying speed warning signs in the area and others where drivers are moving at high speeds.
Zohr said he would also look at installing a 50km/h warning sign further away on the entrance to Eganville to give people more advance notice of the speed change. He can do that because it is a municipally-controlled road.
Resolutions
Council agreed to support a resolution from James Bay East OPP Detachment Board calling for enhanced investment in Victim Crisis Assistance Ontario agencies across the province, including a standardized bail notification system.
Council approved a resolution to clear off an old, unneeded development agreement on a piece of property.
Budget
The township will hold its budget workshop March 23 beginning at 9:30.
robert@thevalleygazette.ca
About the Author
