Puslinch councillors have provided a $50,000 grant to the Puslinch Lake Conservation Association (PLCA) this year, but they clashed recently on who should have the final say on when and where to spend that money.
The $50,000 donation was included in the 2011 budget, with the stipulation that $25,000 be given immediately to the PLCA for ongoing rehabilitation efforts, and the remaining $25,000 be kept by the township and earmarked for items related to the group’s provincial permit for the dredging de-watering operation.
However, PLCA president Art Zymerman wrote to council in early May asking for a change to that stipulation.
“We would respectfully ask that the entire $50,000 be presented to the association and we would agree to assume all engineering costs associated with our project,” Zymerman said in his letter. “This would allow us to be in better control of the costs and also alleviate any liability on the township.”
Councillors Wayne Stokley and Susan Fielding supported the PLCA request, noting the group wants more control over the money, instead of just getting a bill after the fact.
But councillor Jerry Schmidt disagreed, saying council should have control over any funds going towards bills for Harden Environmental Services – the township’s hydrogeological firm – for the PLCA permit process.
“We should stick to what we agreed to,” Schmidt said.
Mayor Dennis Lever agreed, saying the township can send the PLCA copies of Harden bills it approves and any part of the $25,000 not used will be given to the group.
“They are not paying the bills; the township is paying the bills,” Lever said.
Fielding argued there is no need to worry about the PLCA having control of the entire $50,000 – the township is already entrusting its members with $25,000.
“The group is very efficient,” Stokley agreed. He added PLCA members manage money very well and while $50,000 is a “substantial” amount of money, the PLCA has spent a lot more than that over the years.
Schmidt stressed he is “not for one minute” questioning the PLCA’s ability to handle the money or suggesting they can’t be trusted. He just feels it behoves the municipality to have control of the funds.
Fielding noted the PLCA is “much more hands-on” than the township and she moved a motion to give the entire $50,000 to the PLCA. However, that motion was defeated after a 2-2 vote, with Fielding and Stokley in favour and Schmidt and Lever opposed (Ken Roth was absent).
