by Brandon Mayer
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
North Grenville’s Municipal Council held the 38th meeting of its term in the Council Chamber on October 5. Mayor Nancy Peckford was absent from the meeting due to family concerns. As is usual for the Municipality’s open Council meetings, the meeting was live streamed online, and a recording was uploaded to YouTube. However, the beginning of the meeting saw technical difficulties that left part of the proceedings unrecorded.
Notable at the meeting was a presentation by Lesley Hubbard, Executive Director of the organization, called Girls Inc. Lesley discussed the organization with Council, explaining that Girls Inc. serves girls between the ages of 6 and 18, and attempts to address societal barriers and gender bias faced by girls. The group program provides a girls-only environment, and trusted adult mentors to help girls achieve “independence, academic success, and healthy lives and futures.” Lesley made a request to Council for the Municipality to officially recognize October 11 as International Day of the Girl, a move that has already been made by other municipalities across Canada since the global movement was started in 2012. The day is intended to recognize girls and celebrate their potential. The motion was carried. The Times carried an article on this in our last issue.
Next on the agenda was a presentation from Karen Dunlop, Director of Public Works, for Waste Reduction Week. Director Dunlop discussed North Grenville’s plan to focus on reducing waste and reusing materials. Council was asked to approve a motion declaring October 18-24 as Waste Reduction Week in North Grenville. After some discussion of waste reduction practices in the Municipality, the motion was carried. Director Dunlop also spoke later in the meeting and recommended ending a program wherein residents could put out refuse such as diapers on non-garbage collection weeks for two tags per bag. The use of the program was, it was argued, insufficient to justify its cost, and alternatives were discussed. Council voted in support of the recommendation to cancel the program. A third matter involving Director Dunlop was a motion to require public utilities to enter into Municipal Access Agreements before developing infrastructure, and to provide Director Dunlop with the authority to sign future Municipal Access Agreements. The motion was carried.
Another presentation was given by John Okum, the Municipality’s Fire Chief, regarding Fire Prevention Week. Council declared October 3-9 as Fire Prevention Week, with a focus this year on “learning the sounds of fire safety,” referring to the different sounds that residential smoke and carbon monoxide detectors make.
Council was then asked to approve the terms of reference for the Tourism Advisory Subcommittee, in advance of assigning roles. The motion was carried. Council also approved a motion to nominate Cathy Sheppard of the North Grenville Chamber of Commerce for the 2021 Bill Thake Memorial Award.
The meeting concluded with appointments of board members for the Kemptville Campus. Graham Pincott and Annie Hillis were appointed to the Board.