Aesthetic renovations to the Puslinch council chambers will likely take a back seek to more essential work such as an improved sound system.
Though to some, it may sound like a luxury, the idea is to allow councillors and those attending meetings to better hear what is happening. But on Oct. 5 as councillors discussed the renovations for the chambers, it boiled down to dollars and cents.
Quotes for a sound system ranged from $7,910 to $13,434, including HST. That would include installation of 10 wireless mikes, a 10 channel powered sound mixer on the mayor’s desk, two side speakers and possibly two hearing aids.
But that is only part of what council hoped to accomplish.
Councillor Jerry Schmidt was the first to note all the proposals for renovations are higher than anticipated.
Of the three quotes for council chamber renovations, all were above $17,000 – ranging from a low alternative package of $17,210 to $27,436 including HST.
Schmidt added he is not even certain if or when council decided to renovate the chambers.
“I do not want to vote yea or nay until I know what was proposed.”
Mayor Dennis Lever said this year’s budget included $10,000 for renovations. The intent was to look at replacing the chairs, re-pointing the ceiling, and possible overall renovations. He said he’d only asked the clerk to get quotes on renovations.
Councillor Ken Roth argued that all of the quotes are over what was budgeted.
“I’m not in favour of any of them.”
Councillor Wayne Stokley said his understanding was the overall renovations were to include a sound system and it appeared that in itself would cost $10,000. His suggestion was to move ahead with that, and leave additional work to be included in later budgets.
Lever agreed all the quotes are over what was budgeted. He sees two ways of moving ahead. One would be to set funds in reserve to do all the renovations at once, or, to scale them back to what is affordable. The other choice is to do nothing.
He, too, favours moving ahead with a sound system.
As for other renovations, he is uncertain if it should be done piecemeal or all at once.
Roth said it appears the sound system would use up most of the money allocated.
However, he is concerned if installing the sound system first is the best idea, since later renovations might affect the sound quality.
Lever said his priority remains the sound system.
However, if renovations are being done, he would like to see chairs in the gallery replaced first, followed by council chairs.
Council’s decision was to take no action on renovations until after the sound system is installed. Council later instructed Aberfoyle Fiddler/Long & McQuade, the low sound system bidder, to install that system.
Councillor Susan Fielding declared a conflict of interest earlier that night and did not take part in discussion.
