The Town of Minto has declined to donate in response to a request for cash from flood-stricken Ontario municipalities.
Treasurer Gordon Duff reported the Town of Bancroft and the Municipality of Hastings Highlands experienced severe flooding in April.
Bancroft and Hasting Highlands are eligible for funding under the Ontario Disaster Relief Assistance Program (ODRAP) but need to raise $87,500 as a 50 per cent municipal contribution, and are requesting help from other municipalities.
Duff’s report noted council has handled such requests on a case-by-case basis in the past, helping out Goderich with $100 when that community was struck by a Tornado in 2011, but declining to donate to Lac-Megantic, Quebec in the wake of a deadly railway disaster there in July.
Duff pointed out Minto is still awaiting official word on its own request for ODRAP funding.
“Our community suffered extensive damage to trees and buildings as a result of the ice storm this past April. To date, over $87,000 in unbudgeted costs have been incurred. The town has applied for assistance under the ODRAP program, but no reply has been received to date,” Duff stated in his report.
Duff told council the municipality incurred additional damage estimated at $120,000 due to severe wind storms that followed the ice storm.
Councillor Dave Turton wondered if the request might be “the first of many.
“It’s wonderful. It’s a great thing to ask another municipality for money,” he quipped, adding, “I think it’s very bold. I’m just kind of staggered by it.”
Councillor Ron Faulkner inquired if Bancroft and Hastings Highlands had gone through the political process and attempted to get funds through their county government.
Duff replied the community did hold a fundraising concert, but he wasn’t sure what other measures they have taken.
CAO Bill White pointed out, “It’s not entirely uncommon for municipalities to reach out like this.”
However, he added, “I think we’re in a situation of our own now.”
White said the ice storm probably weakened some of the trees which later blew down, adding to the town’s own clean-up bill.
‘It’s not our money’
Mayor George Bridge said he had been advised in a telephone conversation with municipal affairs minister Linda Jeffries that “trees don’t qualify” for ODRAP funding.
“We’re getting no money from the province – so that’s all on our heads,” said Bridge.
He added it wasn’t up to council to decide to what causes taxpayers would like to contribute.
“If our taxpayers want to donate to funds they have the opportunity to do that,” said Bridge. “I don’t think it’s up to us to donate that money for them. It’s not our money. It’s the taxpayers’ money.”
Council voted to receive Duff’s report and send a letter from the mayor to Bancrofft and Hastings Highlands advising them of the decision not to make a contribution.
