Councillor McCann Meeting Report (September 5, 2017)

Parry Sound Area Industrial Park Board Monthly Meeting
On Thursday, August 10th, along with Councillor Borneman I attended the monthly meeting of the Parry Sound Area Industrial Park Board.  There was regular business conducted.  We received news that we are close to having broadband in the park as a result of Vianet working with Bell.  The park will be serviced with a fiber optic feed!

Trestle Brewing Ground Breaking Ceremony
On Friday, August 18th, along with the Mayor and other Councillors and Town Staff, I attended the Trestle Brewing ground breaking ceremony.  This endeavour is a very exciting project for the company and for the town.  It will be an asset in many ways and like other companies in town, such as Crofters, it will put Parry Sound on the map.  All the best to Chris and his crew as the construction begins.

Belvedere Heights Board of Management Monthly Meeting
On Wednesday, August 23rd, along with Councillor Borneman I attended the Belvedere Heights Monthly Board of Management meeting.  It was a long meeting.  We did have a deputation made by representatives of Cassellholme East Nipissing District Home for the Aged, in North Bay.  They presented insight into a revised working model. There were advantages and benefits discussed.  The home had a very significant drop in union grievances and compliance standards were successfully met.  There is a movement on in Ontario seeking authority from the Province of Ontario for district owned homes to seek out their own financing based on their own equity and assets.  As it stands now, the supporting municipalities must borrow on behalf of the homes and this can cut into a municipality's ability to seek financing for other needs.  The representatives from Cassellholme explored the initiative of conversion from a district owned home to a not-for-profit model which would allow the home to seek its own financing.  That conversion has not yet taken place.

We welcomed Karen A. Insley to the Belvedere Board.  She is one of two provincial appointments to the board.

Under Capital Projects, our generator's head gasket gave out.  This, just after the extended service coverage expired in January.  The board wanted a second opinion about maintenance and repair.  We were concerned because the generator has NOT racked up the hours it was supposedly designed for.  Belvedere is currently working on a report from a third party on the status of the generator.

Strategic planning is on our radar, planned for early 2018.  This will provide the board with the opportunity to budget for such plans.

We also had a report from the Friends of Belvedere.  This small group of determined ladies has raised some $50,000 over the last 6 or 7 years by collecting cans and bottles.  A reminder that anyone can drop off such recyclables at a designated bin at Sobey's as well as at various outlets located at municipal transfer stations in the area.  The ladies are very appreciative of the support and cooperation from the various municipalities.

Finally, Belvedere Heights Annual General Meeting is scheduled for October 19th, 6:30PM in the auditorium.  Everyone is invited.