NextEra Energy is planning to donate $100,000 to Trees for Mapleton, but the organization wants the money to be funneled through the township.
At the Dec. 11 Mapleton council meeting, CAO Patty Sinnamon reported NextEra is willing to contribute $20,000 per year for five years to Trees for Mapleton.
Sinnamon noted Trillium funding received in the past by the program is ending and “the funding is critical to sustaining the program.”
Sinnamon explained in her report that NextEra is requesting a charitable receipt and since Trees for Mapleton is not a registered charity, they are requesting the funds flow through the municipality, similar to arrangements under which the township accepted donations on behalf of the PMD arena expansion project and Alma Community Centre.
Councillor Mike Downey, who sits on the Trees for Mapleton board of directors, said the group actually wants council to put the NextEra donations in an “environmental fund” which could potentially be drawn on by other environment-related group as well.
“We are concerned about the public perception in that Trees for Mapleton has been a positive for the community and yet this wind project has been a negative,” Downey stated.
However, it was pointed out NextEra would have to approve any move to share the funds with other groups.
“I think from NextEra’s point of view, they like Trees for Mapleton very much and that is what they want the money to go to,” said Wellington County senior planner Mark Van Patter.
“Trees for Mapleton needs money – the bottom line is, accept it and put it in a Trees for Mapleton account and be done with it,” said councillor Jim Curry.
Councillor Andy Knetsch said, “I think it makes sense to create an ‘environmental’ account – it’s a very general word.
“I would definitely support creating a separate fund which people can apply for.”
Council passed a motion to receive the funds from NextEra “for environmental projects within the township.”
