Like many municipalities in Wellington County, Puslinch was not successful in the latest round of infrastructure grant applications.
However, that’s not discouraging council from taking steps needed to enter the next round of applications.
Correspondence sent to council noted there were a considerable number of applications for Community Infrastructure Improvement Fund (CIIF) across Ontario.
“While the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario received many outstanding applications, difficult decisions had to be made and the agency was unable to accommodate all applicants.”
CIIF applications were assessed based on the degree to which they met the program eligibility requirements and selection criteria, as outlined in the program guidelines.
Mayor Dennis Lever commented “unfortunately they were not able to grant our request.”
Council had applied to deal with drainage concerns at the at the Optimist Recreation Centre and replacement of playground equipment within the municipality.
Councillor Susan Fielding said she had heard more money was being added to the program.
“Does that mean we can apply.”
Mayor Dennis Lever said that was for the next round of applications.
The only question raised around the council table was ‘where did the money go?’ in the current round – since it did not appear anything went to Wellington County.
MIII asset management grant application
is moving ahead
With that issue dealt with, the township is now moving forward with applications for the next round of potential infrastructure funding.
Lever said at least two commercial firms have sent correspondence “offering to help us with our plans.”
He said all municipalities are being approached with similar offers.
He noted Puslinch set aside roughly $22,000 to develop its asset management plan.
As of Dec. 19, no one had been approached to conduct the local plan, though clerk Brenda Law said she’d spoken with representatives of Gamsby and Mannerow.
Law plans a meeting with those representatives early in the new year to come up with a plan to allow Puslinch to proceed to get its current municipal plan to meet the guidelines.
“We have to make it conform.”
She hoped council would pass an expression of interest regarding work on Victoria Road.
Part of the resolution would include council’s commitment to the project and that the asset management plan be completed by 2013.
Law said if the application was accepted, then the township would be required to submit a more detailed plan.
Council authorized staff to apply to the Municipal Infrastructure Investment Initiative for the Victoria Road project by submitting the capital expenditure expression of interest form by Jan. 9.
Further, Puslinch confirmed its commitment to developing a comprehensive asset management plan to meet the guidelines of the Building Together Guide for Municipal Asset Management by the end of 2013.
