For the first time in the Township’s history, today’s Special Council Meeting of Madawaska Valley was livestreamed on YouTube with all members of Council participating via online videoconference. Shown above with hands raised are members of Council voting electronically in favour of passing their first By-Law in this way. Meeting participants (from left) Top row: Mayor Kim Love, Deputy Clerk Gwen Dombroski, Operations Manager Hilary Kutchkoskie, Councillor David Shulist. Middle row: Recreation and Community Development Coordinator Stephanie Plebon, Councillor Carl Bromwich, Councillor Mark Willmer, CAO/Clerk Suzanne Klatt. Bottom row: Treasurer Amanda Hudder, Councillor Ernie Peplinski. Absent from photo: Chief Fire Officer Corwin Quade, Deputy Treasurer Janice Brisson Zelney.
The first order of business was to pass the By-Law allowing members of Council to participate in meetings electronically, be counted both for quorum and voting purposes during the provincial emergency. Council also passed a by-law to delegate authority to the CAO or delegate if necessary during the emergency period. With that out of the way, Council spent two hours dealing with an agenda that included a staff update on COVID-19. Here are some highlights of interest to MV residents:
- Property tax penalty charges: Council extended the waiver of interest on current tax instalments from April 30 to June 30. MV will not proceed with tax sales but staff will contact delinquent payers.
- Water and wastewater: Council deferred charging interest until September 1, 2020 on water and wastewater billings. Residents are reminded that they must NOT flush wipes as this blocks the system.
- Schedule of Fees and Charges was approved and staff ensured some items were comparable to neighbouring municipalities.
- Waste management: Garbage tags still cost $1 each but the vendor’s commission rises from 10 to 25 cents to encourage vendors to promote tag sales. It is critical for social distancing that bags are already ticketed when residents bring them to landfill sites. Note that the Bark Lake Mall is also closed to help stem spread of the COVID-19 virus.
- Total Fire Ban imposed by MNRF on April 3 under the Restricted Fire Zone: This ban applies to every naked flame. Anyone who smokes on public property is in violation of the ban.
- Enforcement of Provincial Offences: MV will refer some violations to Renfrew County and District Health Unit (RCDHU) and to OPP. MV staff will enforce violations that occur on municipal property or under municipal by-laws.
- Building permits will be issued if applications were made prior to the province’s essential businesses restrictions. New building permits will not be issued at this time, but MV staff encourage residents to make applications as soon as they can. Staff will keep them in a queue and do preliminary processing.
- Septic permits will be issued only for existing systems, on an emergency basis only.
- Council accepted H&H Construction tender for the Paugh Lake Road project.
Shortly after the Special Council Meeting ended, the MV Committee of Adjustments held a Public Meeting electronically to approve MVA-2020-02.
Video recordings of both meetings are available on YouTube.com on the Madawaska Valley channel.