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Paisley Fire Board confusion cleared up
By Liz Dadson

Kincardine council

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It took a lengthy motion to finally clear up any confusion surrounding Kincardine's plan to withdraw from the Paisley Fire Board.

At the council meeting Wednesday night (Feb. 3), clerk Donna MacDougall read the entire motion, which was a page-and-a-half long.

The bottom line is that the municipality wants to withdraw from the Paisley Fire Board so that Kincardine and Arran-Elderslie, and their respective councils, have the autonomy and flexibility to ensure equality of fire prevention and protection services within their geographic boundaries. They also want to provide stable sources of funding and direct reporting relationships between the fire service personnel and their respective councils.

The change is administrative in nature, only, and has nothing to do with the Paisley Fire Department and the service it provides, states the motion.

"Kincardine confirms its intent to the ratepayers and residents serviced by the Paisley Fire Board, whether in Kincardine, Brockton, Saugeen Shores or Arran-Elderslie, and their respective councils, that the Municipality of Kincardine will continue to contribute its fair share of both operational and capital costs required to sustain the current fire service at this time and in the future."

The motion also states that Kincardine will deal fairly with Arran-Elderslie with respect to equipment costs. Plus, Kincardine wants to hammer out a contract with Arran-Elderslie that provides defined services and stable and sustainable funding for provision of fire service.

Councillor Mike Leggett commended deputy mayor Laura Haight for doing a lot of the footwork to gather information for this motion, and the clerk for helping to put it together.

Leggett said part of the confusion and concern was that because Kincardine owns a 28-per-cent share in the Paisley Fire Board and wants to withdraw, it would be demanding its share of the assets.

"That cost would be astronomical for the board to pay," he said. "That is not the intent of this council. The Paisley Fire Department requires every piece of equipment it has to do the job."

Haight echoed that, saying there was always talk of operational and capital expenses, but never any discussion of pay-outs. "The only reason we would want an exit pay-out is if we were leaving completely," she said.

"We've talked to the chairman of the Paisley Fire Board and to Arran-Elderslie. All the kufluffle should be over," said Haight.

John Thornburn, a resident in the northeastern portion of the former Bruce Township serviced by the Paisley Fire Department, had spoken to council at the Jan. 27 meeting about concerns that the fire service would be compromised. Haight said he has been contacted and he is glad the issue has been resolved.

In a recorded vote, council was unanimously in favour of the motion. Councillor Randy Roppel was absent.

Council now must meet with Arran-Elderslie Township and draw up an agreement for fire service  for the 350 residents served by the Paisley Fire Department. 

 
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Thursday, February 04, 2010