English thanks community
Hundreds support families after teen’s death
During Tuesday’s council meeting, Councillor Rick English thanked the community and municipal staff for their support since his 14-year-old grandson Colson Myers was killed in an ATV accident on April 22.
“I would like to take this opportunity to thank council and staff for the ongoing support that has been given to myself and my family for the last almost four weeks,” English said. “The support of the community of Trent Hills, and I mean Hastings, Campbellford and Warkworth, is truly amazing.
“Thank you to our entire community and even beyond, for the numerous acts of kindness that you have shown. I cannot here individually name the numerous businesses, organizations and people that have genuinely touched our family and supported us through this difficult time, but please know that we are truly and sincerely grateful.
“I always knew that we lived in an amazing community and the last few weeks have once again, undoubtedly, confirmed this.
“Seeing the hundreds of people that joined us for the celebration of life for Colson was a true testament to the person that he was and the people’s hearts he touched in such a short period of time. So, once again, on behalf of the Myers and English families, from the bottom of our hearts, we are forever thankful.”
The meeting on Tuesday was originally scheduled for April 28 but was postponed following Colson’s death.
Work not done, money not spent
Council has repealed a bylaw that was passed in 2023 to allow the owners of 52 Doxsee Avenue North in Campbellford to receive a grant of up to $8,200 under the Community Improve Plan to improve the exterior of the property.
“There were multiple delays during the project and extensions were granted,” said a report by Kira Mees, Community Development Manager. “However, the work outlined in the application has not been completed to the building department’s satisfaction.”
The deadline for the work was March 2024, so council agreed to repeal the bylaw that permitted the funding.
Council did approve spending up to $1,200 to help a new store in Warkworth install a sign. John Hannah is opening Hannah’s Art Supplies at 27 Main Street. The estimated cost of the signage is $2,400, so it is eligible for $1,200 under the community improvement program.
Each year the municipality budgets $75,000 for improvement grants, but it has not been spending that amount. It currently has $205,000 in reserve and Deputy Mayor Mike Metcalf suggested that staff should consider reallocating the $75,000 in the 2027 budget.
Making it easier to address council
Council has passed a new procedural bylaw that makes it easier for residents to address a council meeting or to make a deputation.
The bylaw also allows up to two councillors at a time to attend any meeting via Zoom instead of in person. Under the previous bylaw a meeting was either in person or fully online. The new hybrid model will make it easier for councillors to attend a meeting if they are out of town.
The bylaw also formalizes the one council meeting a month that was tested last fall and adopted for this year.
Councillor English noted that agendas for the meetings have grown to more than 700 pages and he asked staff to keep an eye on the workload for councillors.
Councillor Rob Pope suggested council should consider holding meetings in the late afternoon or evening to make it easier for councillors with full-time jobs to attend.
Buying a drone
Council agreed to spend $7,200 for a drone that the planning department will be able to use to take photos and videos of properties.
The unit, a DJI Matrice 4E Drone, will be purchased from Cansel, a company that provides surveying and mapping technology.
In the past few years, planner Cameron Law has been using a drone he owns to take photos that illustrate his reports. The new drone owned by the municipality will provide greater detail.
The fire department currently has two drones and councillors asked whether the planning department couldn’t share with them. Law said that option was considered but it would be difficult to manage and the drone the planning department wants can perform different operations.
Bell Mobility seeks tower site
Council agreed that staff can negotiate with Bell Mobility about locating a 60-metre cell tower in the corner of the works yard at 189 Alma Street.
Bell Mobility wants to add the tower to improve local cell service. It is currently seeking public comments on the plan. The deadline for comments is May 20.
Planner Cameron Law said a final decision on whether the tower is approved will be made by council once the consultation period is over and staff have negotiated a potential lease agreement.
“The proposed location on municipal land is out of the way for future expansions to the Alma Yard and makes use of land that would otherwise remain vacant,” Law’s report to council said. “Renting out the land for a small-footprint infrastructure project such as this is one of the best potential uses for this part of the property.”
You can read all Trent Hills News stories on my website here.