New Paisley Fire Department offer causes heated debate at Kincardine council

Is there a new offer from the Paisley Fire Department for coverage of the northeast corner of the Municipality of Kincardine, or not? That was the question.

And it was an issue for heated debate at the Kincardine council meeting last night (Jan. 25).

On the eve of a public meeting about how the Kincardine Fire Department is going to provide fire protection services for that quadrant of the municipality, council suddenly heard that Arran-Elderslie (which has jurisdiction over the Paisley Fire Department) sent a proposal Monday for provision of these same services.

The public meeting is slated for Thursday, Jan. 26, at 3 p.m., at the Underwood Community Centre.

The original agreement with the Paisley Fire Department was terminated in August, with concerns that it was over-priced and not fairly allocated among the participants.

Last night, councillor Randy Roppel brought forward a notice of motion, stating that on behalf of the residents in the affected area, council should bring the agreement back to the table and consider this new offer from the Paisley Fire Department.

"We have made the decision but perhaps council might reconsider," said Roppel. The notice of motion would come forward for discussion at the Feb. 1 meeting.

"I'm a bit confused," said councillor Laura Haight. "The counter-offer puts us in a pretty weird position, going to a public meeting tomorrow to discuss what council's decision was. I'd like to know what the offer is."

"I will provide more information during my mayor's report," said mayor Anne Eadie. "There will be no discussion about the offer tonight."

"Is there an offer from Arran-Elderslie - yes or no?" demanded Haight.

"I will offer more details later," said Eadie.

"I move this item be added to the agenda tonight," said Haight. "We should have a discussion this evening."

Eadie said there is no discussion of a notice of motion at the meeting where it is first presented.

Council then moved into committee-of-the-whole, and Haight again moved that a discussion about the Arran-Elderslie proposal be added to the agenda, so council members are aware of its content prior to the public meeting tomorrow.

Councillor Gordon Campbell seconded the motion.

Roppel noted that if a discussion were to take place about the offer, it would not be fair to those affected because there was no prior notification that this issue would be discussed at Wednesday night's council meeting. "That's why we're bringing it forward to the next meeting," he said.

"Like the other councillors, I was not aware of another offer," said deputy mayor Jacqueline Faubert.

Eadie said the offer came in Monday.

"The public meeting tomorrow will be an opportunity for us to explain the issue, present our side and offer information," she said.

"We don't have to make a decision before we hear from the people at the public meeting," said councillor Maureen Couture. "But we need to be informed before we go to that public meeting. We should know the amount and how it came about."

The motion to add the issue to the agenda was defeated.

During the mayor's report, Eadie said council agreed at the end of last year to hold the public meeting to show the residents of the northeast corner of the municipality that due diligence was followed, once the agreement with the Paisley Fire Department terminated at the end of 2015.

"The agenda for tomorrow is just to go over the timeline for those people affected," she said, "and to demonstrate the actions taken toward negotiation of a new agreement. Our fire chief will also present information about agreements in which fire departments provide services for other municipalities."

She said that Monday, Arran-Elderslie sent an E-mail to Kincardine staff with another offer. "We had questions about it and we have not heard back. That offer will not be discussed tomorrow."

Eadie said council needs to hear from the people who are affected by this change in fire service before having a full discussion at the Feb. 1 meeting.

"I really think you're going to put yourself in a difficult position," said Haight. "The people in the audience are going to want to know about this new offer from Arran-Elderslie. I think we'll get hammered tomorrow. People are going to ask if you're going to re-negotiate with Arran-Elderslie."

"We have questions about that offer," said Eadie. "It will not be discussed. It's only fair that we hear from the public first."

"But the comments will be based on Arran-Elderslie's recent offer, which we haven't heard about," argued Haight.

Eadie said Roppel's notice of motion will be discussed next week.