County Council Passes “Lame Duck” Bylaw

Article & images by Valerie MacDonald News Now Network

A “lame duck” bylaw was passed by County Council that allows the County’s Chief Administrative Officer and finance director to handle business between Aug. 19 and Dec. 14, if less than 3/4 of current county councillor members are re-elected as a result of the municipal elections in early October.

New Communication Tower

In other county news it was noted that another $100,000 is needed beyond the $262,000 budgeted for a new Northumberland County communication tower which includes the removal of the old one on County Road 45, north of Baltimore.

County councillors were told at their most recent county council session that the tower will serve county communication needs plus those of local municipal fire and public works departments.

Initially, staff suggested the cost be divided equally among those using the tower, but after discussion, it was decided the county pay the entire cost and own the structure.

It is unlikely outside organizations will use the tower.

Transportation

The Association of Municipalities of Ontario conference held recently in Ottawa and attended by hundreds of municipal politicians including those from Northumberland focused, in part, on transportation, but “not rail,” says Port Hope Mayor Bob Sanderson.

He said this during a recent meeting with Northumberland County councillors on transportation projects in the county focusing on rail, bus and Go train connections.

While an ongoing survey is providing information about reinstating the VIA Rail train #651 that used to provide local commuters with convenient access to Toronto at a preferred hour, Sanderson stressed that the rail option travel is “a separate” option from Northumberland/Oshawa GO bus links (a service anticipated to start in September), saying they serve “two totally separate needs.”

#northumberlandcountycouncil, #GO, #VIARail