Review-Mirror

The Township of Rideau Lakes has imple- mented a ban which pro- hibits all open air burning. The township is still allowing campfires restricted to 2' by 2' by 2' between 8 and 11 p.m. Fires should be fully extinguished and should not be left to smolder out. A total burn ban may be implemented should con- ditions warrant. The Township of Leeds and the Thousand Islands fire ban was extended this week to include parks and campgrounds. Since dry conditions have worsened, TLTI is not permitting any open air burning of any kind including brushfires, burn barrels and campfires. Burning may result in charges being laid as well as responsibility for the cost of fire department response. "We have had a few improper burning situa- tions where the current conditions are not being accounted for. At this time the projections are for the continuation of the weath- er and heat patterns we have been experiencing with limited to spotty pre- cipitation," said Rideau Lakes Fire Chief Jay DeBernardi. People who ignore the burn ban are subject to a $500 provincial offenses charge and on top of that a victim surcharge fee. That's what a home- owner on Pine Ridge Road off the Davis Lock Road will be getting for using a burn barrel during the fire ban. The costs to the resi- dent could also include the cost of the fire call, includ- By Margaret Brand The Review-Mirror The Township of Rideau Lakes won't be asking the OPP to pay the costs for use of their detachment in the South Elmsley municipal build- ing. In the 2016 budget council identified the potential of recovering $11,500 from the OPP for the costs of heat and hydro, a portion of the $20,741 in overall costs for the OPP portion of the facility. CAO Mike Dwyer learned from the OPP that an accommodation charge of $4.73 per property would be added to the township's bill if the town- ship sought compensation for those expenses. It is currently supplied at no charge. "If a facility charge was implemented by the Town- ship, the OPP note that they would conduct an operational and building standards review. This could trigger operational changes and/or highlight required facility upgrades that would have to be addressed by the Town- ship," he reported. That would be in addi- tion to the $37,438 which would be charged to the township based on the 7915 properties identified by MPAC for OPP billing purposes. "This is another exam- ple of a flaw in the current formula of OPP billing. Prior to that there were flaws. This has as many or more flaws," said Mayor Ron Holman. Township of Leeds and the Thousand Islands resi- dents had the opportunity to present their views on ward restructuring at a meeting in Seeley's Bay on Monday and the issue did- n't gather much interest The number of resi- dents which numbered no more than 15, by the time staff, councilors and media were taken out of the equation. A meeting in June at the Lansdowne Community Hall drew a similar crowd for the same brief presen- tation on alternatives, fol- lowed by a discussion moderated by former councilor Tom Lawler. This summer residents have also been able to express their views in an online survey on the town- ship website and can be accessed with a roll num- ber. Any changes to the electoral representation would need to be passed in a bylaw by council well ahead of the 2018 election and decisions could be appealed to the Ontario Municipal Board. Residents who attended Mirror The Review Thursday, August 11, 2016 Serving North Leeds and area since 1893 Vol. 125, No. 32 $1 incl. tax •Continued on back page Canada Post Contract No. 40021501 Little public input on ward restructuring Township $11,500 rent request would trigger $37,438 jump in OPP bill "In the depths of winter I finally learned that within me there lay an invincible summer." Albert Camus Overlooking Lake, Locks & Falls at Jones Falls, Elgin Exceptional Breakfast – Lunch – Dinner 613-359-5500 Reservations Recommended. HOTEL KENNEY Since 1877 Isabella Vander Byl was excited to show her catch of the day on August long week- end, on Big Rideau Lake. She caught a 3 lb. bass with a 2 foot long kids' fishing rod. •Continued on page 6 •Continued on page 6 Rideau Lakes joins list of municipalities with burning bans Call 359-5660 53 Main St., Elgin duncan s TV & APPLIANCES Continuing a 30 year tradition serving North Leeds - Delivery & Set Up Available LAUNDRY PAIR 5.0 cu. ft. Front Load Washer •Luxcare™ Washer System •Perfect Steam™ •18 Minute Fast Wash Model #EFLS517SW 8.0 cu. ft. Front Load Dryer •Instant Refresh™ Cycle •Largest Capacity Dryer Model #EFMC517SW Regular $2,898.00 Pair Price $ 2298 00 24 Family Lane, Smiths Falls Hwy. 15 S. & Bay Rd. 613-205-1212 streetmotorsales@cogeco.net streetmotorsales.com Charlie Franklin Sales Representative 2007 Ford Explorer Sport Trac LTD 4x4, cap & hard tonneau, 150,000 kms $15,995

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