At least two councillors are at odds over whether or not proper notice was provided for a recent meeting about the town’s service and settlement master plan (SSMP).
At a Sept. 14 meeting called by the municipality, Credit Valley Conservation authority officials and hydrogeology consultant Ray Blackport presented their SSMP findings on the geological and environmental characteristics of Erin.
But at the outset, councillor Ken Chapman voiced concern that the meeting was not properly announced in a timely fashion.
The Advertiser was not notified of the special meeting, and thus did not have a reporter there.
A source who was present said both Mayor Rod Finnie and Clerk Kathryn Ironmonger tried to explain the notice requirements several times, but Chapman did not accept the explanations.
At a subsequent council meeting last week, Finnie said according to the Municipal Act and the township’s own procedural bylaw, the meeting was held legally.
“Councillor Chapman is wrong,” Finnie declared. He added notice of the meeting was posted on the township’s website seven days in advance.
“I think it’s inappropriate for a councillor to make statements like that in public [that are incorrect],” the mayor said.
He suggested it would be appropriate for Chapman to apologize for his remarks.
Chapman said he does apologize to staff, but it was wrong for council to simply just include the notice on a list of other meetings on the town’s website.
“That slaps in the face of transparency,” he said, explaining there are thousands of residents, including many seniors, without regular access to the internet.
The entire town should know when council is holding such a public meeting, Chapman added.
“It may be legal … but I think that is totally wrong,” he said.
Finnie replied there is obviously a difference of opinion on the matter.
No other councillors offered comments.
