BARRY’S BAY – At the regular meeting of the Township of Madawaska Valley, on November 2, approval was given for the renovations to the Combermere Community Centre. The work will begin immediately on completing the roof, constructing a shaft for a Savaria Lift System to improve the building’s accessibility, fixing the main entrance and providing accessible washroom stalls. The amount approved for the renovation is $103,000 and $36,000 for the lift system plus HST. Work will be carried out by Zuracon Construction.
As an addition to the Agenda, Councillor Shelley Maika requested that a bench be installed near the courtesy walk on Stafford Street. Maika explained that several seniors who walked from the seniors home to Metro found the journey tiring and were looking for somewhere to rest along the way. Maika said that providing a bench encouraged people to walk and improved health and safety. Councillor Elser Lee Archer said that a bench would help those with disabilities. Councillor Ernie Peplinski asked whether the design of a bench should be consistent with the Greening Main Street Project Committee theme. $500 was approved for a bench to be in keeping with the Greening Main Street theme.
Mayor Kim Love warned that due to increasing costs and a change to the deferment policy, policing would cost the township an additional $200,000 in the coming year.
As part of correspondence, council was requested to provide feedback to the Renfrew District School Board on their Pupil Accommodation Review Policy draft. In initial comments, Maika suggested that when a committee is formed to discuss school closures a member of council be included. Councillor Carl Bromwich made the point that schools are an important part of a municipality’s development plan. Councillors were asked to provide further feedback for the next meeting.
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