AH To Receive Trilllium Grant For Playground Equipment

Jeff Green | Aug 07, 2024

Near the end of the single August meeting of Addington Highlands Council in Denbigh, Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) Christine Reed said she had an announcement that she had been waiting to make.

“I didn't have permission to share this until after the agenda package was printed, but we have been successful in a capital grant application to the Trillium Foundation for $190,000 for playground equipment at Tracy Park, Heritage Park, and here at the community centre in Denbigh. It's very exciting.

Reed also pointed out that this had been the second Trillium application for the same project, and she wanted to thank Public Works Manager Brett Reavie for helping with some of the modelling that had been missing in the first application, and Deputy Clerk Patricia Gray who “persevered for the second time.

Deputy Reeve Tony Fritsch took the opportunity to thank staff as well, noting that their “persistence has resulted in something that will serve residents for decades, so thanks for that.”

Cost of energy study

“It's a nice gig if you can get it,” said Councillor Ken Hook, about the cost of over $10,000 to do an energy audit of the Flinton Library building.

He was commenting on the estimated costs, per building, in a proposal by Hummingbird Energy, to complete a required in order for the township to complete a 20242029 energy conservation strategy in an attempt to lower greenhouse gas emissions in the operation of the township's 10 buildings.

“I suppose this study is required in order for us to secure other grants, so we have no choice but to support it, but I don't like it. I think the consultants are over-charging. And it's a shame, because taxpayers are paying for it”

“And I don't disagree with you,” said CAO Reed.

“It's ridiculous,” said Hook.

“Ya,” said Reed.

She had already pointed out that 80% of the consultants costs would be covered by a provincial grant that the consultant will apply for.

“If we are not successful in the grant application, then we do not have to go ahead with the study. We could wait and find another way to fund it,” she said.

The cost to the township for the $114,000 study will be $22,800 if the grant goes through.

“Are they also looking at the operation of the buildings,” said Deputy Reeve Tony Fritsch, “because that could have as much or more of an impact as the heating systems and insulation, etc.”

Council approved the proposal.

Flooding Issue a Communuty Centre

Chief Building Official David Twiddy told Council that there has been a flooding issue at the Community Centre in Denbigh.

“When there is a sudden outburst, like we have had recently, water comes flooding through, running down the hallway. It takes quite a few hours for our maintenance staff to clean that up. We are going to dig up the drainage system, starting tomorrow, to peel back and see if we can find the cause that way. But we need to find out where the leak is somehow, to deal with it,” he said.

Growing Dome Proposal

Council received a proposal from resident Marleen Mclean for the construction of a “Growing Dome”. In her letter of request, Mclean pointed out that Gleaners Food Bank in Belleville has constructed such a building in order to produce a steady supply of vegetables on a year round basis for the people they serve.

“A Growing Dome would be best suited for Township or County land where all community members would have access, including those with accessibility issues. Along the lines of a community co-op where community members could volunteer their time and skills,” Mclean said in her proposal.

“While I understand that this would pull on staff resources, to investigate and apply for funding options, I believe this would be a great way for the township to progress environmentally,” she also said.

In response, Councillor Hook said “I think this is a really good idea. I also think that, when we look at some of the recent initiatives, such as the Medicine Wheel Garden that the Garden Club has put in, they only come about after a community group puts in hours of thought and effort from the ground up, developing the project. Perhaps if this starts with a community garden, and gets established, then moves towards a capital project like a dome, then the township can be approached again for support,” he said.

Deputy Reeve Fritsch agreed with Hook.

Council voted to receive the letter of request.

Lithium-Ion batteries

Council received and endorsed a letter from the Township of South Monaghan regarding the fire danger posed by "aftermarket" lithium-ion batteries.

“The increased importation and use of non-Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) aftermarket batteries is presenting a significant increase in fire and explosion, putting citizens and responding personnel in danger. These after market batteries are not Underwriter Laboratories of Canada (ULC) certified but can be imported into Canada without any associated regulations,” said the letter.

“We also call upon all levels of government to enact regulations for the importation, sale, storage, and use of non-OEM or ULC certified lithium-ion batteries.”

Fire Chief Casey Cuddy said “it is a big problem. You hear about fires from people who have blankets or something on their laptop or their phone when it is charging, so it is a big concern.”

Cuddy said the township has put warnings up on the township and other community Facebook pages on the matter.