MINTO – Council has approved the reappointment of John Maddox as the Town of Minto’s closed meeting investigator for a four-year term.
The Municipal Act allows citizens to request an investigation of whether a municipality or a local board has complied with the closed meeting provisions the act.
In order to facilitate an investigation, a municipality must appoint an investigator or allow the task to default to the Ontario Ombudsman’s Office.
In 2014 the County of Wellington entered into a two-year agreement to appoint Maddox as the meeting investigator for the County of Wellington and six member municipalities. A two-year renewal was signed in 2016.
The investigator functions as an independent contractor and receives an annual retainer of $1,000 from the county, plus a $300 retainer for each member municipality, paid for by the county. Maddox’s hourly fee is $150 plus expenses, paid by a municipality in which an investigation is conducted.
Signage grant
Town council approved a $1,000 signage grant for Palmerston’s newest eatery.
Grampa Scott’s Eatin’ Spot is located at 185 Main St., the former location of the Rural Spoon restaurant.
Economic and business manager Belinda Wick-Graham reported on Dec. 18 the business has completed signage work worth $3,159 plus HST and qualifies for the maximum $1,000 grant.
The overall Community Improvement budget in 2018 is $60,000 and Wick-Graham reported commitments to date total $57,256, leaving $2,744 in the budget.
New agreements
New agreements with horticultural societies in Harriston and Clifford were approved at the Dec. 18 Minto council meeting.
The five-year agreements call for the societies to pay a daily rate of $200 to use municipal facilities for all flower shows and large hall usage; $50 for any kitchen usage, weekdays or weekend and $90 for regular meetings.
The agreement also calls for the municipality to provide a donation of $1,500 to each society to assist with purchasing plant materials and for other expenses.
“Both the Clifford Horticultural Society and Harriston Horticultural Society provide a great service to the town.” states a report from recreation services manager Matt Lubbers.
“Their work on and around town property adds to the overall visual appeal of our community, while promoting volunteerism and neighbourliness.
“They’ve worked alongside the town’s TLC staff and help keep us in the Communities in Bloom Circle of Excellence.”
