Three Wellington County municipalities have learned they will be receiving the full amount of claims submitted for the costs of dealing with the December 2013 ice storm.
A Feb. 13 press release from the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing indicates Mapleton, Centre Wellington and Puslinch will be reimbursed for virtually all expenses submitted. Those three are the only municipalities in Ontario for which claims have been fully reviewed and payments initiated.
Mapleton will be receiving $23,009 through the Ice Storm Assistance Program, while Centre Wellington will receive $297,543 and Puslinch $44,923.
The province has offered the other 55 claimants an interim payment, stating, “final payments, when they are issued, will be based on the outcome of a complete claim review.”
Interim payment offers to local municipalities include:
– $156,702 for the Town of Erin which had submitted a claim for $447,720;
– $56,178 for the Township of Guelph-Eramosa, against a claim of $160,500;
– $28,173 for the Town of Minto, which claimed $80,355; and
– $2,200 for Wellington North, where the claim totaled $8,500.
Wellington North’s interim payment offer was the lowest on the provincial list, while the highest offer, more than $22 million, was made to the City of Toronto.
Wellington County did not submit a claim for ice storm assistance.
Also receiving interim payment offers were the Grand River Conservation Authority, which received an offer of $191,743 on a claim of $550,000, and Credit Valley Conservation for $26,147 against a claim of $74,700.
Maitland and Saugeen Valley conservation authorities did not submit claims for ice storm assistance.
Chief administrative officer Patty Sinnamon advised Mapleton council of the funding announcement at the Feb. 10 meeting.
“We’ll probably not see it until June or July, but my understanding is we will be receiving the funds we have requested,” said Sinnamon.
“I’m sure they’ll add interest,” quipped Mayor Neil Driscoll.
“We are very pleased with this announcement,” Centre Wellington CAO Andy Goldie stated in an email to the Advertiser. “Our application for funding assistance completed by various department staff was very complete and this resulted in us receiving a favorable approval.”
Goldie said the municipality has not received any word on timing of the payment.
Puslinch CAO Karen Landry said, “We have been advised that we will receive the full amount of $44,923.20 claimed upon entering into of an agreement.”
Minto Treasurer Gordon Duff told the Advertiser the town is still being asked to provide additional information on their claim and don’t know yet how much the municipality will eventually receive.
“We’re treating the process as on-going,” Duff told Minto council at the Feb. 17 meeting.
The Ice Storm Assistance Program is a one-time disaster relief program for the Dec. 22, 2013 ice storm. It focuses on costs related to the immediate emergency response, such as setting up warming centres, and the subsequent cleanup of debris necessary to protect public safety. Ontario will be reimbursed by the federal government for a portion of the eligible response and recovery costs under the Disaster Financial Assistance Arrangements.
The ice storm caused widespread damage and blackouts across Ontario. At the peak of the storm, over 800,000 hydro customers were without power.
– with files from Mike Robinson
