Robert Fisher
Staff Reporter
KILLALOE – Mayor David Mayville opened the Oct. 21 council meeting for the Township of Killaloe, Hagarty and Richards (KHR) by acknowledging the busy week KHR Fire Department had. The department spent four days on a wildfire in Wilno, working with crews from Madawaska Valley, Brudenell, Lyndoch and Raglan, and the Ministry of Natural Resources. After finishing with the Wilno fire Saturday afternoon, the department immediately responded to a call for a bush fire in the Round Lake area. Then on Sunday crews responded to a grass fire and structure fire on Simpson Pit Road.
“On behalf of council and the residents of Killaloe, Hagarty and Richards, I want to extend heartfelt thanks to every firefighter who answered the call and to their families who stand behind them,” said the mayor.
Mayville also made comments about strong mayor powers, reiterating his previous remarks that the framework has been imposed on the municipality by the province and the township has no choice but to follow the provincial edict.
“Our job is simple,” he said, “to ensure that our local documents and practices reflect what the law already requires.” He continued, saying that the job of the chief administrative officer is to ensure municipal policies, procedures and bylaws are consistent with provincial law.
“While an initial report was provided earlier this year, no implementation has followed. The township remains bound by this provincial legislation and those administrative updates are now overdue,” further explaining that the updates are, “basic legislative compliance.”
Correspondence
KHR resident Alex Blais submitted a letter to the township, demanding that the letter be read aloud during the meeting. Blais took issue with what he termed, “the lack of competence, maturity and professionalism,” of council members and their perceived obstinance in working with the mayor. He also said he does not trust answers to questions he receives from a particular member of council, suggesting the councillor attempts to “brainwash” Blais into accepting the councillor’s point of view. He did not name the councillor.
Resolutions
Council passed a resolution asking the province to “reconsider” the aerial spraying of glyphosate-based products in county forests until it can source new information on the safety and risk of the products.
The members passed a bylaw to formalize the Nov. 28 night market and lighting ceremony in Station Park.
Council also passed a resolution approving a contract for replacement of the oil tank and water heater at the outdoor rink in Killaloe. The motion included no firm pricing. The council approved, “a cost estimate of $6,000 … with the understanding that the final cost may vary either higher or lower depending on
project variables.”
Council asked Chief Administrative Officer Tammy Gorgerat to bring a resolution to the next meeting supporting a motion by the Municipality of Bluewater asking the federal government to, “keep climate change as a foremost national priority.”
Training
Council directed Gorgerat to schedule training on the strong mayor framework from the province. The proposed dates are Nov. 20 or 24.
In camera session
Members continue to ignore the need to turn on their microphones, making meeting audio difficult to discern. On returning from an in-camera session Tuesday evening there was no meeting audio at all. Council apparently passed two resolutions. The Gazette asked Gorgerat to confirm the resolutions and received no reply. Mayville did confirm the content of the motions; one to ask external counsel to allow the municipality to release a legal opinion to the public. The second directing staff to remove the six directives issued by Mayville from the township website and that council and staff do not follow the directives because counsel have deemed them outside the scope of the strong mayor framework.
Friendship Club ramp
Council discussed a request from the Killaloe Friendship Club regarding replacement of a concrete ramp outside the club location. The club is on the east side of Lake Street. Council discussed that sidewalks on that side of the street are not municipally owned.
The members directed Works Superintendent Dean Holly to visit the location, evaluate what work needs to be done and develop a cost estimate before making a decision whether to support the request.
Coun. Brian Pecoskie expressed concern about supporting or paying for a project for a private organization. “Are we going to entertain all the businesses with a sidewalk in front?” he asked.
robert@thevalleygazette.ca
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