Council approves review of fleet management policy; McCabe opposed

WELLINGTON NORTH – Council here has voted to proceed with a fulsome review of the township’s fleet management policy following the eventual hiring of a new finance director.

A motion to appoint a review committee was brought forward by councillor Sherry Burke who has frequently voiced concerns that decals affixed to township vehicles are not promoting the township proudly enough.

“As an organization I think we should be proud of who we are, what we represent, and promote it,” Burke told councillors at an April 11 meeting.

At a March 21 meeting, Burke proposed that branding changes on vehicles involve council.

However, on April 11, the councillor said it was time for a full review of the six-year-old policy.

Although councillor Steve McCabe said he wasn’t against reviewing the policy, he said he’s “probably not” in favour of rebranding vehicles and equipment.

“When we can’t afford to pave the roads that we want to, I’m not sure that this is the best way to spend money,” McCabe said. “I understand being proud of Wellington North … but our trucks don’t go out of our borders, so I’m not sure who we’re advertising to.”

Burke did not address McCabe’s statements but added an additional concern of fire department pickup trucks being branded in what she called a “stealth mode.”

“I’m not sure who made those decisions to have that decalling replaced on, not our tankers, but on our pickup vehicles … they are exempt and sort of do their own thing, and I don’t think that’s right,” Burke said.

Councillor Dan Yake said a review doesn’t hurt.

“If the discussion dictates that it’s a complete overhaul, well, that’s what the discussion leads to,” Yake said, in part.

“I see no harm in having the discussion.”

Councillor Lisa Hern advocated waiting for a yet-to-be-hired treasurer to be involved in any discussions and opposed rebranding of vehicles.

“We need to kind of tighten our belts right now when we had to cut all of our rural paving projects,” Hern said.

Mayor Andy Lennox voiced concerns over current staffing shortages but said he supports a policy review in general.

With McCabe opposed, council approved the forming of a committee with a single representative from the fire, building, operation and finance departments and council, but a timeline to proceed with the review is on pause until a new finance director is hired.