Operators of the Conestogo Wind Energy Centre in Mapleton have formalized an agreement with the township to donate $9,000 toward a community sign and $100,000 to Trees for Mapleton.
At the Sept. 24 meeting, council approved an agreement with Conestogo Wind LP – a subsidiary of NextEra Energy – that involves administering the funds for Trees for Mapleton, as the organization is not set up as a charity and does not have a bank account.
The agreement notes Trees for Mapleton has been identified by Conestogo Wind “as a community initiative it would like to support.”
The agreement specifies the funds will be distributed in five annual installments of $20,000.
Councillor Mike Downey questioned how detailed an “accounting statement” of Trees for Mapleton expenditures (specified as a condition of the agreement) would need to be.
“We want this money to be for trees on the ground, not a lot of red tape,” said Downey, who is member of the Trees for Mapleton committee.
Mayor Bruce Whale suggested staff clarify the accounting requirements and report back to council.
The agreement also outlines terms for a $9,000 donation from Conestoga Wind toward an electronic sign, which was installed earlier this year outside the PMD Community Centre in Drayton at a cost of about $18,000. The sign provides information on municipal and community events.
Council voted unanimously in favor of the agreement.
