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Medical Centre and Fundraising Approved
Doug Hutton 
Having completed the soil-testing on the property, and receiving input
from the Health task Force including the doctors, council approved the renovation
and additions to the existing medical centre at an all-inclusive cost of approximately
$ 300,000. The building plan emphasizes flexibility. It will accommodate
a dentist, a doctor, a nurse practitioner and a visiting medical professional.
The completed building is designed to adapt to community medical service
models that have worked well in other areas. Cal Taillefer is the chair of
the fundraising committee. Construction is expected to begin this fall.Derelict Vehicles Doug Hutton Council decided to encourage individuals to clear their yards of derelict vehicles and other debris before proceeding with a by-law to force the issue. Council is concerned that vehicles pollute the environment as various fluids leak into the ground and the water table. Food Bank is Moving Doug Hutton The North Kawartha food bank is moving to the community policing building in Apsley. Some minor renovations will be completed as soon as possible to accommodate the needs of the police and the food bank. West Eels Lake Road Doug Hutton West Eels Lake road is a private road that extends from North Kawartha into Haliburton. Reeve Jim Whalen stated that in 1995-6, the MNR asked North Kawartha to assume the road. Although a grant was received, the amount was considerably less than what it would take to rebuild the road to provincial standards. The township has done some maintenance on the road in the summer, but it's hills make it too dangerous to maintain in the winter. (Haliburton destroyed one of their ploughs last year when it went off of their part of the road.) Council members stated that the road is in good condition during the summer months when the township maintains it, but degrades considerably in the winter because of the MNR's logging trucks. Councillor Warren Smith, who toured the road last week, stated that the road is in excellent condition. Council decided that North Kawartha is not going to assume the road but is willing to offer summer maintenance on a contractual basis to the MNR. Discussions may also include repayment for the maintenance already performed on the road. |
Kawartha Highlands Signature
Site Doug Hutton Dave Coulas, the new Superintendent of the Kawartha Highlands Signature Site Provincial Park, introduced himself and laid out his approach to the operational issues of the park. He is forming a subcommittee consisting of major stakeholders including two council members from each of the townships in the park. This subcommittee will report to the management advisory board and assist in developing many of the operating details. Mr. Coulas has a strong background in managing parks and was responsible for developing the operating guidelines for the Spanish River Signature Site. He admitted that the Spanish River area is very different from North Kawartha, but many of the issues are similar. Curbside Waste Pick-up Doug Hutton Council awarded the tender for waste pick-up to Capital Environmental Resources Inc. at a cost of $ 128,316. This is less than the original estimate by the waste committee and is about $ 0.66 per week per household. Capital Environmental Resources is a large company that operates in parts of Muskoka as well as many large urban centres. Council stated that the company met all of its requirements as well as having an excellent relationship with its customers. The tentative plan is to divide North Kawartha into three zones with each zone having pickup on a different day of the week. More information will be provided at the public information meeting on May 29. County of Peterborough Issues Doug Hutton Gary King, the CAO/ clerk of Peterborough county, presented an update on the issues affecting the county and its townships. Among other issues is the revision of the waste management master plan. New items in the plan are septic waste, bio-solids and increasing the recycling percentage to 60% from 48%. Of particular interest to the NK council is the pursuit of broadband internet service. The county has budgeted $150,000 for this year towards a hybrid system (wireless and fibre optics). He stressed that the county has to develop a strong business plan to justify universal access to broadband services. 2004 Budget Approved Doug Hutton Council commended staff who have prepared a budget with a 1.48 % tax rate decrease. Treasurer Judy Everett explained that the decrease could have been about 8%, but the huge impacts of provincial downloading increased the revenue requirement substantially. The new budget allows for road maintenance and the requirements for policing and other services, but defers all new capital projects. Although the tax rate is a decrease, most ratepayers will still experience an increase in their actual tax bill because of higher property assessments. |