A staff report indicates the April 12 ice storm cost the Town of Minto about $50,000 and the town is planning an application to recover some of those funds from the provincial government.
At the May 7 council meeting, CAO Bill White provided council with a report on the storm’s repercussions for the town and its response. He estimated the cost of the storm response and clean up at around $50,000.
“The majority of this cost will be for tree removal and trimming as the town was forced to call in a private contractor to assist with the clearing. There are some overtime expenses for public works staff who have been working long hours in the cleanup,” stated White in his report.
He also noted additional costs were incurred for generator fuel and pumping out the sewage lift station, the report states.
White noted applying to the Ontario Disaster Relief Program for funding to assist with the town’s growing expenses resulting from the storm is an option. However, he said he consulted with the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and was advised the application process is “rather involved,” but the town could apply if deemed necessary.
“It should be noted that large areas of central Ontario have had significant flooding with major property and infrastructure damage. While this should not likely impact on funding availability to the town, the impact of the ice storm on our area might be considered slightly less than floods in the Huntsville, Bracebridge area,” White pointed out, adding it appears only North Perth has requested compensation for ice storm costs, “which appear to be considerably higher than the Town of Minto.”
White also noted Perth-Wellington MPP Randy Pettapiece wrote to the minister of municipal affairs requesting a provincial declaration to allow funds to be accessed, “but this did not occur.”
“If we do put in for it, I wouldn’t get our hopes up,” White commented.
Question of fairness
However councillor Dave Turton said “I feel we need to at least apply.” Turton suggested the matter becomes a question of fairness if some municipalities end up being compensated and others do not.
“If there were 15 municipalities affected, I think they should all get something,” said Turton.
Council agreed to direct staff to apply for the funding.
Thousands of county residents were without power for varying lengths of time after a severe ice storm swept through the area on April 12. The storm also damaged countless trees and property, forced the temporary closure of some local roads and also led to flooding of many homes and businesses.
Hydro One reported well over 115,000 people in the province were affected by the power outage, with every Wellington municipality hit to varying degrees. The storm hit the northern portion of the county hardest.
Most of Minto had power restored by Friday night, while in Mapleton, the community of Drayton was without power for most of the weekend.
In North Perth, where power was also out in large sections of the municipality all weekend, council declared a the situation a disaster.
