Protection Services:

Fire:

The cost per $ 1,000 Assessment has been reduced, the Township has acquired better equipment, more public relation with regards to fire prevention such as smoke alarms and the fire fighters have received better training.

Barriers to further improvement:

• The increased cost of purchasing new and updated equipment.
• The cost of training personnel to conform to Provincial Legislation.

Policing

Crime rate has increased considerably and policing costs have increased considerably.

Barriers to further improvement

• Some crimes in the area have actually decreased, however most types have increased. More police personnel is needed.

By-Law Enforcement:

Animal Control and building permits have been improved. More dog licenses have been sold and building permits have been issued therefore increasing assessment base for Township.

Transportation

Unpaved Roads

The operating costs for unpaved roads have increased. Higher operating costs such as increased fuel cost and higher equipment repairs in order to keep an aging fleet on the road contributes to increased operating expenses. Township has adopted a policy to reduce the use of dust suppressants. Instead of applications on the whole road, dust suppressants are applied only where residences exist.

Winter Control

The operating costs for winter maintenance of roadways per lane kilometre maintained in winter increased by 24%. Plowing routes were changed to obtain a more efficient way of snow removal. However increased operating costs and more severe storms increased the cost.

What barriers are there to further improvements

• Investment in additional staff training is required to take advantage of new winter control technology.
• Cost of replacing aging truck fleet.
• Restriction of the Employees’ union agreement for call out time prior to regular starting time and avoiding paying overtime.

Environmental Services - Waste Management

The cost of solid waste disposal has been reduced. Shortly after amalgamation in 2001 the Township introduced curb side waste collection for the whole Township with household waste to be placed in a specially marked bag. As residents adapted to this new concept, we experienced increased recycling and decreased waste taken to the landfill site. The Township also purchased own equipment to cover solid waste.

What barriers are there to further improvements

• The lack of a market for certain materials limits the ability to increase the recyclable collection further.
• Increasingly stricter environmental laws with regards to operating landfill sites such as conducting studies has increased the cost of operating the landfill sites.