While Minto council hopes to benefit from a wastewater facility service agreement with Centre Wellington, some concerns have been raised about what might happen when the term of the agreement is over.
Council agreed to a recommendation from Treasurer Gord Duff, Clerk Marsha Paley and Director of Public Services Norm Fisk that the town enter into a services agreement with the Township of Centre Wellington, and that Minto develop an employment services agreement with it and the town employee involved.
As discussed at previous Minto public works committee meetings, the town checked the possibility of retaining Centre Wellington to operate and maintain wastewater facilities in Clifford, Harriston and Palmerston. The town believes Centre Wellington is capable of operating those plants efficiently and properly in accordance with all regulations.
The report stated, “It is understood that a Town of Minto staff person would be employed by Centre Wellington and would be trained in the operation of these facilities.”
Remaining Minto employees will be allowed to observe and learn operating procedures.
Mayor David Anderson explained Minto would have one of its employees who will be “working under the Township of Centre Wellington to get his certification to operate our wastewater treatment plants for a three-year term.”
Anderson said that after that, that person would be certified and be able to return to Minto and the town would be able to have its plants run by its own employee.
“That is the partnership venture we are going into. It’s an agreement which also helps Centre Wellington because they were in need for another person for weekend rotation.”
However, Councillor Rick Hembly asked if that person is “bound” to come back to Minto after that time.
“Not at this point,” responded Paley. “That is why we’ll have an employee services agreement to deal with what could happen in three years time … So that he has some comfort and we have some security.”
Hembly said his concern was, “We’re letting a good employee go … and I assume he’s getting a wage increase.”
Anderson said, “That could be possible.” Hembly then asked, “When he comes back, would that wage increase fall into our scale.”
Deputy-mayor Judy Dirksen noted that right now, Minto does not have a wastewater treatment manager position.
“You understand where I’m going with this though?” Hembly asked.
Anderson said a new position would have to be created.
Hembly said his concern is if the new position ends up in a substantial wage increase. He also had concerns that the individual has no substantial ties to return in three years.
“He’ll be making some pretty good money, and I don’t think we can sit here and say he’ll be working for us in three years [after he has the certification], I hope he does.”
Anderson said that will likely be part of the employment services agreement the town is working on.
The concern did not stop council from passing a bylaw to authorize the service agreement with Centre Wellington.
