Review-Mirror

Township of Leeds and the Thousand Islands Mayor Joe Baptista has posted a video message on Facebook, denouncing social media discussion of recent personnel decisions made by council. At a May 29 special meeting of council council- lors made CAO Greg Bord- uas' hiring permanent after the completion of his proba- tionary period. Councillor John Paul Jackson and Councillor Harold Emmons voted against the motion to hire the CAO. Other undisclosed per- sonnel decisions were also made by council at the May 29 special council meeting which included a closed session of over two hours. The session was preced- ed by the appointment of administrative assistant Lisa Lawrence as Deputy Clerk. It's a debate Councillor Jackson has been bringing online to his Facebook group where the mayor thinks he has been crossing the line. "We hope to clarify and give accurate information when we are legally able to do so," said Baptista in his statement, noting councilors are obliged to respect the privacy of individuals. "We all took an oath of office. We pledged to follow the rules of the province and the township with integrity, honesty and protect and respect the privacy of our staff," said Baptista reacting to discussion on Jackson's Facebook group page. "Unfortunately It appears that one member of council does not respect the oath and is widely sharing and discussing selective pieces of information that violate the oath. Open and transparent information does not include breaking the law," stated Baptista who noted the risk of legal action. "Failure to not follow those rules puts the munici- pality at risk of legal action and ultimately that will cost the taxpayer greatly," he said. Jackson's actions in the past have prompted the council last month to hire an integrity commissioner for an investigation related to the township's code of con- duct. TLTI mayor criticizes councillor for social media discussions The Village of Westport received five tenders to replace their existing wastewater treatment sys- tem this summer and they hope to make a decision this week. The bids ranged between $2,372,690 to $3,420,180. Consulting Engineers Aecom are reviewing the two lowest bids and hope to have everything in order so con- struction on the new filter bed system can begin shortly after June 21. It is expected to take about four months. The province has indi- cated a new round of infra- structure grants would be announced by June 20 so the village would be eligi- ble to apply as long as construction didn't start before the announcement date. In the mean time, the village expected approval this week to start spray irrigating wastewater, for the last time, reducing the possible need to haul wastewater to Smiths Falls before the new system is complete. Without spray irriga- tion, they may have to start hauling as early as mid-July. Westport Council is car- rying forward with their plan to lobby the United Counties to turn Mountain- view Manor into a seniors' only residence. Council passed a motion Monday to have Mayor Robin Jones ask the United Counties to require any new tenants be 65 or older after ongoing com- plaints at the Bedford Street facility. The Counties turned facilities in Mallorytown and Brockville into seniors-only units last year but Mountainview Manor and others were left open to any age. Earlier this year, the United Counties informed tenants that complaints had to be made to the OPP. Any complaints against other tenants made directly to the United Counties would result in both tenants going before the rental tribunal. "The first question is going to be, 'there aren't enough seniors on the waiting list. "I will have to do my best to explain why that is," Mayor Robin Jones told Council. "Isn't this kind of a backhanded way to try and deal with the problem," Coun. Mark Parliament asked. "We have tried to deal with the problems, and it hasn't worked", said Jones, who is also County Warden this year. The Review-Mirror June 8, 2017 – 3 A flotilla of boats made their way into the waters around Seeley's Bay to enjoy a silent poker run with five stops to pick up cards. The vessel returning to the start with the best poker hand was the winner. Westport hopes to choose wastewater tender this week Westport Lions Club Fish Fry Sat., June 17th Take-out 4-5 p.m • Dinner 5-7 p.m. Lions Sand Lake Beachhouse Fish by Mike Mundell $15 ea. The timeline for a new fire truck and the apparent need for renovations to the Westport Fire Hall was finally laid out for West- port Council at their last Committee of the Whole meeting. Rideau Lakes Fire Chief Jay DeBernardi made his annual report to council at the meeting, after which the conversa- tion quickly turned to the future of the pumper shared by the village and Rideau Lakes Township. It will be 20 years old by 2020 and needs to be replaced, with a truck that may also require renova- tions to the Westport Fire Hall. Westport is responsible for 40 per cent of capital costs and 100 per cent of costs associated with the building. Chief DeBernardi roughly estimated the cost if a new pumper at around $250,000 to $275,000, meaning Westport would have to come up with just over $100,000 for their share of the vehicle. Westport did have funds set aside for a truck and renovations in draft budgets in 2016 and 2017 but they were cut in the final budget. The exact cost of reno- vations wouldn't be known until the size of the truck is determined. Westport Coun. Gerald Schwinghamer has been pushing Council to look into options for a smaller truck that wouldn't require renovations. "Unfortunately trucks are getting larger. "Our problem is not the length, but the height," DeBernardi said. Municipalities undergo a review of firefighting equipment every five years by Fire Underwriters. "This isn't being driven by firefighters who want a shiny new truck," DeBernardi said. Schwinghamer said he had looked into the matter and found out a truck could be produced that would fit the existing building but the Fire Chief pushed Council to think about 20 years down the road. "It is council's decision but they (Fire Underwrit- ers) will say, okay, here's your new rating," he said, which could, in turn, increase property insur- ance. "The township is look- ing at replacing three vehi- cles over a three-year span, so I am taking this seriously, he told Council. "We aren't making a decision (today) but we know the clock is ticking," Mayor Robin Jones said. Upper Rideau Branch 542 10099 Cty. Rd. 10, Westport 613-273-3615 1952 2017 UPPER RIDEAU #542 Toonie Pot $350 • Bonanza $600 • Jackpot $150 All in 55#s or less • Doors open @ 6 pm • Play starts @ 7 pm 6-hand Euchre Thursdays, 7:30 pm Everyone welcome. Come join the fun. Hamburger Fridays, 12-2pm weekly Sausage, Hot Dogs & Fries every week. Take-out available. Call 613-273-3615. Monthly Birthday Potluck Last Wednesday of the month – bring your favourite dish! Members and guests welcome to join the fun. Dinner 6 pm Lounge hours Tues. 4-7•Wed 4-7•Thurs 4-7•Fri 3-7•Sat 2-6 Booking for the 2017/ 2018 season Please do not delay, make sure you get your date...We will make every effort to help you make your special occasion just what you dreamed it would be...catering Monday FULL-DAY EXCURSION INTO HISTORY Famous Legion adventure Thursday, June 15 Departing Branch #542 at 8am sharp. National War Memorial, Ottawa for Wreathy Laying Service, Lunch at the Ottawa Army Officer's Mess, trip to the Diefenbunker in Carp, stop at Perth Legion Museum and enjoy a roast beef dinner, then homeward bound. We are the Guardians of REMEMBRANCE Follow us on Facebook for the latest on Legion 542 events A & B FORD COLLISION CENTRE Telephone 613-267-5749 Fax: 613-264-1099 collision2@abford.com A&B Ford Sales Ltd. 37 Lanark Rd., Perth John H. Kennedy Ltd. Ontario Land Surveyors Kemptville 136 prescott St., p.o. Box 1340 Kemptville, ont. K0G 1J0 ph: 613-258-1717 Fax: 613-258-4475 Consulting Office portland 295 Sheldon rd. portland, ontario K0G 1V0 ph. 613-272-3603 Toll Free Line 1-800-355-9892 New vehicle may require fire hall renovations Fire truck needs to be replaced by 2020 Council passes motion seeking seniors- only status for Mountainview Manor

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