KILLALOE – The Killaloe-Hagarty-Richards (KHR) Township council entertained four separate delegations, prior to engaging in regular business at its meeting on April 16. Once again this council, under the leadership of Mayor Janice Visneskie, aptly modeled an openness to and an accessibility by its constituents and others requesting audience.
Following are the highlights of these delegations and the business arising out of the April 16 meeting.
DELEGATIONS
Mike Eno, a citizen of the township, addressed council regarding concerns over the results of an adjacent neighbour’s survey, which appears to challenge originally understood property lines. The survey was prompted by the township’s offering of property, presently designated as road allowance, along the southern shore of Round Lake. The council explained that actual determination of property lines and ownership were not their jurisdiction and that they too had to abide by the surveys presented to them. The onus is on each property owner to prove to the township what they own. It was suggested to Eno, as it would be to any property owner with such a concern, to seek legal counsel on the matter and to secure a survey of one’s own, as evidence for their position. The mayor also informed Eno that, prior to final sale of any specific parcel of road allowance by the township; affected citizens have access to an appeal process.
Desmond Brunelle, also a citizen of the township, raised a number of concerns around traffic safety, speed and noise, particularly in sections of Simpson Pit Road and Round Lake Road. Council, attentive to his concerns, recognized that the roads in question belong to the County of Renfrew, and therefore, they have no direct jurisdiction over such matters. However, council agreed to petition the county on his behalf, requesting consideration and subsequent determination as to the efficacy of the concerns expressed.
Shawna Babcock, executive director of KidActive and chair of a charitable program that works to further the cause of healthier communities, addressed council. Her focus was to inform the council about collaborative projects, such as but not limited to, the Physical Activity Network, healthy community partnerships, active transportation and the Book Tree. These initiatives engage different sectors of the community, working together to promote the health and well-being of its citizens. She drew attention to the document: Renfrew County – Building Healthy Community. Babcock’s presentation was part of a larger effort, sharing the document with the many smaller communities within the county, inviting their input towards determining the challenges specific to them in developing a healthier community, not only for children, but for residents of all ages and abilities. Attention was drawn to some sobering health statistics for the county. The scope of this effort also includes identification of what is already available in communities, and encouraging them to build upon their strengths.
John Sirosky, solar power consultant, made a pitch to council on behalf of an Ottawa based solar power company, regarding FIT projects (the Feed-in Tariff program from Ontario Power Authority). He presented costs and revenue potential for possible solar panel installation on various community properties. Council took this under advisement with no decision made at that time.
Story continues in the April 24, 2013 issue of The Valley Gazette.