Mill Village Fire Department is hoping to get the Region of Queens on board to help them buy a new fire truck.
The $711,810 R Series Top Control 4-door truck is already in Bridgewater and the seller is holding it for Mill Village until April 1. The department is asking the Region to contribute $275,000 in loan payments over 10 years.
The Region’s policy is to assist the five fire departments in the county with vehicle purchases according to a set schedule. That schedule has expired and under a proposed schedule, Mill Village would be in line to receive the $275,000 they’re asking in the 24-25 budget year.
Mayor Darlene Norman says the municipality is willing to help once the fire chiefs decide on a new schedule.
“I like to be optimistic that for whatever reason, the fire chiefs will sit down, look each other in the eye and figure this out. Because that is what they do according to this policy. Five fire chiefs agreeing on a truck purchase schedule,” said Norman. “Otherwise, council is going to have to step in, change this policy, because fire departments need their fire trucks.”
Norman is also concerned that if the purchase isn’t made soon, rising interest rates could increase the price of the truck by $30-40,000 over the term of the loan.
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Region of Queens administration building. Photo Ed Halverson
Region of Queens council will once again delay a decision on the location of a new library.
Municipal staff had recommended building at the Liverpool business development centre but after a flood of e-mail correspondence and public comments at the last meeting councillors decided to discuss the matter further. They have requested staff look into the feasibility of temporarily relocating the library at the business centre until a new permanent home can be found.
In the recommendations portion of the meeting council determined three properties were considered dangerous and unsightly and directed staff to take action.
Councillors also approved a staff request to apply for over $10 million from the provincial municipal capital growth program. The program supports municipalities’ efforts to address infrastructure needs.
Region of Queens would like to use the funding to support the Mount Pleasant service extension project which has three distinct components: transmission main upgrades, water lift station upgrades, and extending services to the growth area around Mount Pleasant. The current estimated costs of the project are in the neighborhood of $21.5 million.
Council then approved spending $750 as their contribution to co-host the New Year’s Day levee alongside Mersey branch 38 of the Royal Canadian Legion.
Council then moved into discussions, the first two items involved road names, the first being Lingley Lane and the second Audrelyn Lane. No other streets in the region currently have those names so they will be assigned to those streets at an upcoming meeting.
A discussion whether to support Mill Village fire department’s request to purchase a new truck for $620,000 will come back to council once the chiefs of the Regions’ five fire departments have an opportunity to discuss long term planning for replacement of their engines. The municipality contributes 25 percent of the cost to the fire service whenever a new truck is purchased.
Next municipal staff asked council to clarify the intent of the travel expense policy. Staff are looking to clarify the language and will bring the policy back for Council’s consideration at a future meeting.
The last item on the agenda was a request from the Kiwanis Club of Liverpool to take over operation of the concession stand at Queens Place.
Under the proposal, the club will be responsible for ensuring compliance with food safety certificates and insurance as well as obtaining a food operating permit, while operations will be handled by volunteers from the Queens County Blades and Queens County minor hockey association. Councillors were supportive of the idea as it would provide an opportunity for all three local organizations to raise money.
Regional staff will work out details with the Kiwanis organization and bring the item back before council at a future meeting.
Council only meets one time in December due to the holidays. The next council meeting will be January 9th at 9:00am in council chambers.
To hear the broadcast version of this story click play below.
