Like Erin, Minto and Guelph-Eramosa will also seek provincial funding to help cover costs associated with the Dec. 22 ice storm.
Minto
On Jan. 14 Minto council passed a motion to apply for funding through the Ontario Disaster Relief Assistance Program (ODRAP) based on the “cumulative effect” of two ice storms in 2013 (April 12 and Dec. 22).
The town was previously turned down for an ODRAP application following the April storm, but officials estimate the final damage total from the two storms could exceed $300,000.
Guelph-Eramosa
Guelph-Eramosa Township has also decided to apply for ODRAP funding in connection with the Dec. 22 ice storm.
Municipal officials have pegged the cost for “immediate cleanup” from the storm at $60,000.
On Jan. 13 councillor John Scott noted the deadline was just three days away to initiate a funding application through ODRAP in connection with the late December storm.
Scott suggested the township should submit an application for relief funding prior to that deadline.
Mayor Chris White opined the odds of the township getting any money through ODRAP is “pretty much zero.”
He noted a similar request from Minto after last April’s ice storm was rejected and said Guelph-Eramosa officials should investigate what is involved in the application to see if it is worth filing for assistance.
Several township officials noted the ODRAP application process can be onerous, but Scott said the township should at least ask to be declared a “disaster area” prior to the deadline and go from there.
The rest of council agreed there is little harm in taking the first step and unanimously passed a resolution requesting province declare Guelph-Eramosa a “disaster area” for the purpose of the ODRAP.
– with files from Patrick Raftis
