Members of Guelph-Eramosa council had their first 2015 budget discussion during a strategic planning committee meeting here on Jan. 21.
Fire protection
Fire chief John Osborne told council the local volunteer fire department has been struggling with initial call response and has asked for seven additional volunteer fire fighters.
He also suggested transferring dispatch responsibilities to Guelph to free up staff for service in the field.
“We’re hoping that will be up and operational by May or June this year … just having that extra staff member put on that initial truck improves the safety,” he said.
Other proposed projects include replacing a 15-year-old medium duty pumper and an ATV unit, purchasing portable radios and installing additional security cameras and upgrading the lock system at the fire hall along with painting the interior. Hourly wages for firefighters are expected to rise from $21.30 to $24.20.
The net proposed budget is $953,503 – up from $903,876 in 2014 – and total proposed capital spending is $435,000.
Parks and recreation
Director Robin Milne told council the department has trouble keeping up with seasonal maintenance of municipal property and would like to hire another full-time employee to work in the field for 30 weeks. Traditionally summer students have managed the work.
“The problem is we need staff in the spring when the parks open and in the fall after students have left,” he said. “With the rain and warmer weather in the fall, we can’t keep up with the grass.”
He said unpredictable weather events like last winter’s ice storm also increase labour requirements.
“With the ice storm in 2013, we fell behind because we were doing ice storm damage right up into June and July,” he said.
Proposed capital projects include new flooring, an A/C unit and re-pointing of stone exterior walls in the Marden House; a spray foam coating on the sub-floor at the Rockwood Town Hall to provide insulation; grading of the Sports field and replacement of the play structure at Marden Park; a new park on Ridgetop Crescent in Rockwood; layout improvements at the Rockwood Cemetery; and construction of an enabling garden at the Rockmosa Older Adult Centre.
The enabling garden would be maintained by volunteers, Milne said, and include a shade structure, water feature, planters, seating and fencing.
“It will be a space to socialize, an active area for games or could be used for a summer concert series,” Milne explained.
The parks and rec proposed operating budget includes a net requirement of $884,917, up from $838,439 in 2014. The proposed capital budget is $265,600.
Public works
Public Works director Harry Niemi told council work this year will be fairly routine, with several key priorities.
Prosed capital projects totaling $1,247,900 include extension of the sidewalk on Main Street North in Rockwood to facilitate the new elementary school and paving of the Woolwich/Pilkington Townline (pending a cost-sharing agreement with Woolwich).
There are also 12 road segments scheduled for maintenance and assessment as well as five bridges. A 10-year-old pickup truck used for sanding and plowing will need to be replaced and a covered storage area is being proposed for seasonal equipment in Brucedale.
“We would like a covered storage area in some form behind the shop,” said Niemi.
“We’ve got the seasonal equipment stored outside – plows and attachments are kept out in the elements and exposed to wind and rust. Some items would be beneficial inside and covered – this would provide flexibility for other storage as well as security.”
Councillor David Wolk asked if the building would be serviced. “Is this strictly covered storage? There will be no heating, plumbing, etc.?”
Niemi confirmed that is correct.
Council also discussed the possibility of purchasing a street sweeper to allow the municipality more control over urban maintenance.
“We lease this machine and/or pay for this service. How much is a sweeper, because I know in Rockwood specifically you could probably use that more often,” noted Mayor Chris White.
“We do it in May but we have people asking in March. If it’s a reasonable cost and we can cover it, it would give us greater flexibility to sweep wherever and whenever we want.”
The proposed public works budget includes a net department requirement of $2,755,545 up from $2,625,928 in 2014. The operating budget includes $15,000 for bridges and culverts; $5,000 for ditching, $15,000 for fleet, $6,000 for grass mowing, and $5,000 for sidewalk maintenance. A grader would continue to be leased at an annual cost of $44,000 per year.
Council got together again on Jan. 27 to further discuss budget items and a draft budget will be presented on Feb. 4.
A public meeting will tentatively be held on Feb. 9 at 7pm in the council chambers to review the budget document and receive feedback from the community, with the final budget considered for approval on Feb. 17.
