Busy building season in Hastings Highlands

June 2, 2015

By Nate Smelle

The following are series of brief reports from the Wednesday, May 20 meeting of Council for the municipality of Hastings Highlands.

Chief building officer, Frank Mills had good news for Council’s monthly report. Already this year the municipality has issued 122 building permits, which is 31 more permits than issued during the first quarter in 2014.
“It is a very active spring for building,” said Mills.
“The main difference this year is that we had great weather early so we got a quick start on some projects. There is also very large industrial project in a significant commercial renovation.”
Of the 122 permits issued in 2015 so far 14 are for new dwellings. Their assessment value is $4.68 million, and the fees that will be received by the municipality are $54,885. Municipality also has compliance letter fees amounting to $5,282.

Municipality to purchase new sweeper attachment

Council approved the purchase of a new 10’ Sweepster sweeper attachment the municipality’s new John Deere loader. The cost of the attachment is $29,029 and is to be installed soon as possible. The server will be installed at Nortrax equipment in Peterborough where it is to be purchased. The new sweeper will save municipality from having to hire a contractor to sweep the roads where vacuum is not required. Through these savings this new piece of equipment is expected to pay for itself over the next few years.
“This should cut down on our rental costs for the time in the spring when we need a sweeper,” said Deputy Mayor Mike Leveque.
“I see this as a step in the right direction,” added Councillor Hald Robinson.

Pumper trucks pass annual tests

On May 12 and May 13, the local fire service tested its two pumper trucks from the Maynooth and Herschel departments. Both trucks pass the annual certification this year, however, there were a few minor repairs completed on the Herschel pumper.
Fire Chief Pat Hoover attended the 2015 OAFC conference and tradeshow held in Toronto from May 2 to May 6.
“We have an opportunity to do a lot of our purchasing pricing at the tradeshow with all of the vendors in one spot,” said Hoover.
“This will help produce some savings in our 2015 budget in equipment purchasing. The main difference this year is that we had great weather early so we got a quick start on some projects.”
Hoover also announced a Council that the 24 daylong fire Dan officially came to an end on May 12. This means nighttime burning is now allowed the municipality.

Hastings Highlands becomes a scent sensitive workplace

Recognizing that individuals may have negative health responses to scented products, Council approved the safety guidelines for a scent sensitive workplace. It was also decided that a poster proclaiming that “This Is A Scent Sensitive Environment” be hung in all municipal buildings.
Out of consideration for people with chemical and scent sensitivities, scented products including: perfumes, body lotions and sprays, colognes, after shaves and highly- scented flowers and plants will no longer be permitted.