Plan needed for long-term water viability, Queens councillors say

 

Queens regional councillors are looking for ways to help prevent more water crises in the region. (Henryk Niestroj via Pixabay)

While residents and businesses in the Liverpool area are being asked to cut back on water, Region of Queens councillors want to find ways to improve communication and deal with any future water shortages.

Last week, councillors asked for a comprehensive staff report on the region’s water and wastewater systems. They also want staff to develop a communication system to inform customers quickly when problems arise.

Municipal water users in Liverpool and parts of Brooklyn have been asked since Nov. 1 to restrict their water usage. 

Water levels in the Town Lake Reservoir are too low to support the town’s usual consumption. 

The region has warned people that without significant amounts of rain, more drastic measures may have to be taken.

Mayor Scott Christian said it’s important to investigate longer-term solutions.

“It has appropriately alarmed a lot of our residents and a number of members of council as well,” Christian said.

“So I think it’s appropriate that we ask those questions in terms of how are we going to avoid situations like this in the future. What’s our Plan B? How can we make sure that we do all we can to protect against known or foreseeable risks to the stability or the dependence of our water supply?” 

Other councillors said they were also worried how the water supply could be affected if the Liverpool Fire Department needs to respond to a fire.

Liverpool fire chief Trevor Munroe could not be reached for comment Monday.

District 3 Coun. Courtney Wentzell said the region needs to address problems with its existing infrastructure.

“I think we’ve got an infrastructure problem on the west side of Liverpool from the town well to Union Street. This is very, very serious. We need to know what Plan B is, we need to look ahead and we need to look after people that already hooked up before we start hooking up new.”

The region has been criticized in the past for its efforts at spreading the word about water problems.

In summer 2023, the region imposed a boil-water order on municipal users. 

But some businesses and residents complained that they didn’t know about it until days after the order was issued. 

People were also upset at what they saw as a lack of transparency about the reasons for the order.

Deputy Mayor Maddie Charlton said residents and businesses need to be informed more quickly and more directly.

“I’m also running into a lot of residents who are unaware that they’re supposed to decrease their water usage right now, so I think that this is critical that this happen so that residents can be alerted when needed in a very quick manner.”

CAO Cody Joudry could not give councillors a timeline for when staff will complete their report.

Email: rickconradqccr@gmail.com

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Council recap – tax relief, library and a newly named road

A lighter than usual agenda was dominated by the proposed new library during the Region of Queens last council meeting.

As previously reported here, council voted to rescind their approval to build a new library at a site in Queens Crossing.

They’ve asked for studies to determine the cost to instead build either directly beside or attached to Queens Place Emera Centre.

The March 14 meeting began with a presentation from Queens Care Building Society updating their progress on the new long-term care home to be built at Queens Crossing.

The group is currently awaiting design approval before they can formally buy the land from Region of Queens.

Next council gave second reading to a Tax Exemption bylaw to support some non-profit organizations by allowing them to forgo paying their municipal property taxes.

Council passed the motion to give up $241,000 in revenue for the Region of Queens.

They also approved the naming of a new road off Shore Road in Western Head as Serenity Now Lane.

Council then rescinded library approval before awarding a community grant of $2,800 to this station, QCCR to update some broadcasting equipment.

Approval was granted to conduct an HVAC investigation at the Town Hall Arts and Cultural Centre.

Council agreed to provide $10,975 to DUMAC Energy to complete a comprehensive heating, ventilation, and air conditioning assessment to determine the needs and find solutions to the heating and cooling systems in the building which houses the Astor Theatre.

During the discussion portion of the meeting council talked about creating a tiered support system for low-income property tax relief.

Anyone with an annual household income up to $20,000 will receive $400 in relief, from there up to $25,000 will get $350 and between $25,000 and $30,000 will enjoy $300 in property tax relief.

Council will vote on that proposal in an upcoming meeting.

Added discussion items included how to reduce the amount the Region’s fire services are paying for insurance.

Council decided they will go with a lower cost insurance provider and pay the higher deductible for any of the five departments as there have been very few claims.

The next council meeting will be held Tuesday March 28 in council chambers beginning at 6:00pm.

E-mail: edhalversonnews@gmail.com
Twitter: @edwardhalverson

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Fire department hosting Halloween fun

North Queens Fire Department

Trucks outside North Queens station. Photo Credit: North Queens Fire Department

The North Queens Fire Department is opening their doors to offer kids and parents a safe way to trick or treat this year.

The North Queens Fire Association will be setting up tables for parents, kids and neighbours struggling to find a balance between following COVID-19 safety protocols and carrying on childhood traditions.

People can book a table to hand out treats to kids either by showing up Halloween night or making arrangements ahead of time by contacting the North Queens fire association through their Facebook page.

North Queens fire Chief Chris Wolfe says there will be no charge to anyone. The department just wants to provide a safe, central location for the community.

“Instead of the kids going all through the community and travelling here, there and everywhere, everybody can come there and have their own table and all the kids can just come to the hall, walk around in a circle, get their treats and be on their way,” said Wolfe.

He notes many families choose to go door to door in the subdivision across from the fire hall and hopes folks from outside the Caledonia core will take them up on their offer.

The department will start by making about 20 tables available to anyone who would like to hand out treats, but that number could increase depending on the interest from the community.

To keep traditions going for the kids, Wolfe said the community needs to find ways of adapting to the pandemic.

“Unfortunate part is, like I tell the firemen, COVID’s here and it’s not leaving so we’ve got to find new ways to do stuff,” said Wolfe.

This isn’t the first time the fire department has hosted a Halloween event, but given the state of the pandemic Wolfe said they felt it was necessary to revive the event.

“It just seems more fitting to do it this year and hopefully get a bigger turnout. Of course, they’re saying less travel is better, said Wolfe.

Anyone entering the hall will have to use hand sanitizer, wear a mask and follow social distancing requirements but Wolfe said that shouldn’t take away any of the fun of Halloween.

He says the hall will have some decorations and many fire department members will be in costume as well.

“We’re a tight-knit community and we’ve got to stick together and help one another out when we can,” said Wolfe.

He says the trucks will roll out of the bays and the fire association be ready to host all manner of ghosts and goblins between 6:00pm and 10:00pm Halloween night.

Reported by Ed Halverson 
E-mail: edhalversonnews@gmail.com
Twitter: @edwardhalverson