Prince Edward County council briefs

Feed the Meter

Maribeth deSnoo, Executive Director of The Learning Foundation addresses council in Prince Edward County. (Photo: Amanda Smith/Quinte News)

The Feed the Meter Campaign is hoping to continue for the next four years in Picton.

The Learning Foundation Executive Director Maribeth deSnoo, along with Kellie Brace and Geoff Cudmore appeared in front of Prince Edward County’s Committee of the Whole meeting on Thursday afternoon.

They provided an update to those at Shire Hall about what The Learning Foundation does in the Hastings and Prince Edward District School Board.

Last year, in Prince Edward County alone, Brace told council there were 107,000 meals served to students.

Cudmore asked if the Feed the Meter campaign could continue in Picton for the duration of this council’s term.

A staff report will come at a later date.

Community Safety and Well-Being Plan

Ann McIntosh discusses the Community Safety and Well-being Plan for Prince Edward County at Shire Hall with Prince Edward County OPP Detachment Commander John Hatch at Shire Hall on April 11, 2019. (Photo: Amanda Smith/Quinte News)

Prince Edward County has the gold standard when it comes to their Community Safety and Well-Being Plan.

Prince Edward County Detachment Commander John Hatch told those around the horseshoe in Shire Hall on Thursday afternoon they are only one of four OPP detachments in the province that have a plan like this and it is such a good plan, he is presenting it to Toronto Police in May.

The three year plan aims to reduce harms and victimization, decrease the upward trends in demand for and costs of emergency response and improve access to resources and services through education and awareness.

Ann McIntosh stated they have a number of objectives which include making it safer for emergency responders, preventing fraud of seniors, keeping seniors safe, mobile, independent and social, a poverty reduction strategy and a collaborative mental health and addictions strategy.

This year will see the first year this program has been implemented and things like signage about flashing green lights for emergency responders will begin showing up in communities.

There are a number of events planned such as a scooter rodeo, information sessions and a seniors fair.

McIntosh said they are seeking a financial contribution from council to support the Community Safety and Well-being Plan as there is an almost $35,000 price tag that comes with the implementation of the plan.

She told Quinte News, things are already started when it comes to implementing their year one goals such as the purchase of the green light signage and the planning of the scooter rodeo.

McIntosh says their plans may have to be modified based on the financial contribution from council.

New pumper tanker deferred, new SUVs for Building Department

There are five new 2019 SUV’s coming to Prince Edward County staff.

Council at their Committee of the Whole meeting on Thursday afternoon at Shire Hall approved the $139,000 purchase despite being over budget.

The vehicles will be used by the building department to replace four Ford Rangers that no longer meet the needs of staff.

Council also decided to defer the purchase of a new pumper tanker for the fire department until the next committee of the whole meeting.

The new apparatus was set to go to the Wellington hall and the current pumper tanker from Station 7 would move to the North Marysburgh hall. The truck at that hall would then be sold with those funds going into reserves.

Fire Chief Scott Manlow told council there is another big ticket item coming at the next Committee of the Whole meeting with a $600,000 price tag.

Council decided wanted to see the two projects at the same time as the purchases would bring the reserves for fire department purchases down to $5,000.

Director of Finance Amanda Carter stated the County would not be in a deficit if they were to go ahead and purchase the pumper tanker.

She explained they budget $600,000 a year for fire department purchases.

Council was being asked to spend $352,000 on the new pumper tanker.

Road Work Moving Ahead

Road work in the amount of almost $6 million got the rubber stamp of Prince Edward County.

During their Committee of the Whole meeting at Shire Hall on Thursday afternoon, council approved two road projects and awarded the work to K. Mulrooney Trucking Ltd.

The Hill Street and Fairfield Street reconstruction project has a $1.3 million price tag while the Talbot Street and Lake Street reconstruction project carries a hefty$ 4.6 million price tag.

There is no set start date set yet for either project but both are slated to begin this year.

Director of Development Services Peter Moyer told council when the contract is signed a finish date will be stipulated at that time.

The reports will be up for final approval at the April 23 meeting.