REPORT ON COUNCIL
March 10, 2008
Committee of the Whole Meeting: 9:03 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. and 1:03 p.m. – 4:41 p.m.
Regular Evening Meeting: 7:06 p.m. – 7:44 p.m.
All Members of Council present.
CONFIDENTIAL / CLOSED SESSION: 1:36 p.m. – 4:36 p.m.
NEW WAYS TO DISPOSE OF SEPTAGE: One of Council’s strategic planning objectives is to arrive at a plan for the disposal of septage. The entire Township uses private septic systems, which must be pumped out at regular intervals. The resultant “septage” is spread on farmers’ fields licensed by the MOE. But the Province’s 2003 Nutrient Management Act said that such spreading was to end in 2007. And the 2005 Provincial Policy Statement makes it clear that lot creation depends on sewage treatment capacity.
When Don McNalty of R.J. Burnside Associates explained the Province’s views on septage to Council back in 2004, the only alternative envisioned, once spreading of septage became illegal, was treatment at a sewage plant. In the years since 2004, nothing was done by the municipality with regard to the disposal of septage, and the 2007 deadline passed without any action by the province.
However, according to McNalty, recently, the MOE has shown some willingness to work with stakeholders to develop new standards and technologies. Thirteen municipalities got COMRIF funds to undertake experimental disposal techniques. New, safer types of land application are being explored, involving such methods as alkaline stabilization, composting, geo tubes, dewatering trenches, reed and sand bed filers, and the use of hydrogen peroxide.
In one respect Tiny Township has been ahead of regulatory requirements – the septic re-inspection program. The Source Water Protection Act recommends septic re-inspections, and the Building Code act will soon require re-inspection.
Staff is to report on next steps.
2008 BUDGET APPROVED: Overall, Tiny’s residential tax rate is up 2.45% compared to 2007 (the Township’s third is up 2.50%; the County’s third is up 4.75%; and the education third remains unchanged). According to two charts included with the budget presentation, the Township’s share of municipal taxes per $100,000 of Current Value Residential Assessment was among the lowest in Simcoe County in 2007 and was less than a third of that imposed in Penetanguishene and Midland.
Staff began to prepare a draft budget last August. Once it was ready, as has been the custom for a number of years, Council discussed it in special meetings that were open to the public, on November 22, 2007, January 21, 2008, and February 4, 2008. Because work began earlier than usual on this year’s budget, it was possible to approve it a month earlier than usual.
Water fees for those on Township water systems remain unchanged at $200 capital and $556 operating. A strategic water supply plan to eliminate anticipated future nitrate level issues at Lafontaine and Georgian Sands is to be prepared. A new requirement – for lead testing – has increased annual costs by $75,000 and the province’s insistence that a large reserve fund be built up to replace outworn water systems in the future means that the fees are unlikely to fall any time soon.
The budget includes monies set aside for Council’s various strategic planning initiatives – much of it, at this stage, for planning studies. Among other things there is to be a Township Offices functionality/needs assessment, continuation of the identification of Township-owned land, a study about future management of septage and hauled waste, and an update of the Township’s Official Plan.
Reserves and Reserve Funds are to increase by 8.4% to $4, 824,166.
Of particular interest to shore area residents are a Secondary Master Plan for Balm Beach, a Master Plan for Lafontaine Beach Park, and implementation of the Woodland Beach Master Plan. Money has been set aside for washroom upgrades and repair at Jackson Park and Stott’s Park and for wind barrier fencing, boardwalks, and educational signage at Bluewater Beach Park. There is money for a Beach Management Plan (required, apparently, before the DFO will approve changes at beach parks).
For the complete budget presentation, go to tiny.ca — Administration>Departments & Services>Treasury>2008 Budget Information
