CARLETON PLACE — Carleton Place council’s Committee of the Whole met Nov. 4 to review a heavy agenda that included a surge in fire calls, a projected budget surplus, new parking restrictions to improve emergency response and proposed safety upgrades at town childcare facilities. Here are the highlights.
Carleton Place Fire services update
Acting Director of Protective Services Dave Joy reported record call volumes for the Carleton Place Fire Department and Municipal Law Enforcement during the third quarter.
“We broke another record for fire calls in August with 31… and 39 total calls. That is a lot for us,” said Joy.
Firefighters continued community engagement through events such as Bridge Street Summerfest and the Lanark County Harvest Festival, and raised $14,000 through their annual Boot Drive for Muscular Dystrophy.
Three firefighters completed hazardous materials training and the department donated three truckloads of old bunker gear to Firefighters Without Borders. Four new firefighters joined the roster this quarter.
On the bylaw side, staff received roughly 800 calls or inquiries, about half information requests and half questions on tickets.
Coun. Sarah Cavanagh asked staff to track call types to improve public education.
Financial report by Carleton Place council
Town treasurer Trisa McConkey said Carleton Place is currently projecting a year-end surplus of $530,669.80.
“Interest rates did not drop as much as we thought they might, and we have not outlaid our cash on the treatment plant projects as quickly as anticipated. So, we have a better balance than we expected,” she said.
The town also received confirmation of a WSIB rebate representing about 61 per cent of premiums, or roughly $137,000.
The report was received for information.
Parking restriction
Carleton Place council endorsed a new parking restriction on Neelin Street from Lisgar Street to 27 metres north of Lisgar.
“I was approached about a week and a half ago by Lanark County Paramedic Service regarding problems they were having leaving their site because of increased parking and increased traffic,” said Guy Bourgon, director of Public Works.
The change is intended to ensure emergency vehicles can enter and exit quickly.
Barrier for security
To improve safety around classrooms and outdoor play areas, staff proposed installing concrete barriers at the Carembeck Community Centre.
“The barriers would be in place at the end of the parking spaces that are adjacent to the side of the building and the playgrounds,” said Tracey Freill, manager of Carleton Place Childcare Services.
Twenty barriers are required at an estimated cost of $14,650. The funds would come from any year-end childcare surplus or from the Childcare Reserve.
“Obviously, safety is paramount, and we want to make sure that all of our users are safe,” said Mayor Toby Randell.
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