Pelham’s regular Town Council meeting saw a somewhat awkward scenario Wednesday in which former Cannabis Control Committee chair Tim Nohara called out CAO David Cribbs.
Nohara, appearing virtually as a citizen delegate, took issue with the public being denied access to a staff report regarding ongoing odour complaints against cannabis producer Redecan.
“Regrettably, (CAO Cribbs) hasn’t been willing to answer my questions,” Nohara told council, Cribbs, and staff. “There is no improvement in transparency.”
In a June 3 letter to PelhamToday, Nohara took issue with Cribbs and Town staff for a lack of action against Redecan. Specifically, Nohara stated that the Town should have placed a request with the Ontario Land Tribunal to essentially shut down Redecan’s zoning agreement – and ability to function as company on its current site – by this past Monday.
This did not happen, leading Nohara to ask pointed questions of Cribbs.
“Today is the earliest date that I have been allowed to come before you,” Nohara added.
For his part, Cribbs said that he and the Town received specific legal advice not to follow Nohara’s preferred course of action.
Mayor Marvin Junkin backed this up, saying that legal counsel “allayed our fears about the course we are taking.”
Redecan’s odour issues continue to prove a nuisance to residents near its Foss Road site. Despite an odour bylaw in place, complaints have continued, leading many to believe that the “Nasal Ranger” readings taken by bylaw enforcement are not at a high enough threshold.
A public meeting on the matter is scheduled to be held next Wednesday at the MCC.
Property tax reduction for Wellspring
Council unanimously approved a property tax reduction for Wellspring Niagara in order to alleviate their property tax burden.
Executive Director Ann Mantini-Celima said that Ontario’s Municipal Property Assessment Corporation (MPAC) recommended clearing the issue with Pelham first. Mantini-Celima said Wellspring currently pays approximately $70,000 a year in property taxes for their large building across from the MCC. Opened five years ago, the site provides support to cancer patients and does not receive government support. The land is leased from the Town of Pelham for $1 per year.
More than $7 million for new fire hall
Council also unanimously approved a plan to eventually tear down and rebuild Fire Hall No. 1 on Hwy. 20. According to the staff report on the matter, any new construction option – on the current site or elsewhere – will cost more than $7 million dollars.
The people who work in the building, however, say the 42-year-old structure is near the end of its life.
“I can go on for quite some time with some of things that are deficient in the building,” Fire Chief Bob Lymburner told council, citing a leaking roof, failed plumbing, and a lack of a decontamination facility for firefighting equipment.
“I don’t think you can keep putting lipstick on a pig,” Deputy Mayor John Wink said, adding a lack of accessibility for the disabled.
Additional council news provided by the Town of Pelham:
Ontario Senior of the Year Award
The Town of Pelham, on behalf of the Minister of Seniors and Accessibility, presented a 2024 Ontario Senior of the Year Award to Jake Dilts. Mr. Dilts’ impact on the community has ranged from volunteering with the Welland Flying Club, supporting the 87th Air Cadet Squadron, being an active member of the Fonthill Lions Club, serving previously on multiple Town boards and committees, as well as being a dedicated and proud member of the Fonthill Legion. With an obvious passion for serving his community, Mr. Dilts has made significant impacts that have continued to improve the lives of Pelham’s residents.
Pelham Fire Department Rescue 1
During a brief recess from the council meeting, councillors were invited outside to view the newly acquired Town of Pelham fire department Rescue 1 vehicle, which is now in service. The 2023 Ford F-550, with customizations including a mini-rescue aluminum body, SCBA storage, tool storage, and console, replaced the previous 2004 Ford F-550, which will be repurposed for use by the Town of Pelham Public Works Department.
Non-Core Asset Management Plan
Council received a presentation on the Town of Pelham Non-Core Asset Management Plan from Derek Young, C.Tech., CRS, RCSI, AMP Manager of Engineering for Pelham. Council received Report #2024-0146 Asset Management Plan for Non-Core Assets and endorsed the Town of Pelham Non-core Asset Management Plan. The non-core asset management plan is designed to ensure that the Town is well-positioned for current and future grant programs and regulations, by meeting the requirements of the Ontario Ministry of Infrastructure Building Together Guide for Municipal Asset Management Plans. In addition, the non-core AMP establishes a baseline of current Asset Management practices to inform a work plan for continually improving Asset Management and will allow for more accurately quantifying the deficit and investment gap for Non-Core Assets. The AMP describes the characteristics and conditions of non-core assets, the level of service (LOS) expected from them, planned actions to ensure the assets are providing the expected LOS and financing strategies to implement the planned actions. The non-core assets inventory includes facilities, fire fleet, information technology, sidewalks, road signs, streetlights and parks and trails.
Greenbelt Area Natural Asset Management Plan
The natural asset survey focuses on Greenbelt areas within Pelham, providing a guide for the Town of Pelham to value and account for natural assets in both financial planning and asset management programs. The project was approved in 2023 as #PLN 02-23 and was supported with a grant from the Greenbelt Foundation and undertaken in partnership with the Natural Asset Initiative Group. The plan itself is intended to identify natural assets in the Town of Pelham. Once identified, the Town of Pelham will be able to move forward with protecting and managing these sites in a holistic, evidence-based manner as part of the Town's asset management plans. The plan will support priorities identified in the Town of Pelham strategic plan. The Town of Pelham is the first municipality in the Niagara Region to develop such a plan and one of only a few across the entire country. More information on the plan can be viewed at www.pelham.ca/mnamp
2023 Reserve and Reserve Fund Report
Council received Report #2024-0107 2023 Reserve and Reserve Fund Report. While there are no specific financial decisions related to the report, the report provides council with financial information regarding reserve and reserve fund balances and the cash position of the Town to assist council with financial decision-making. Maintaining a healthy balance in the Town’s reserves will ensure that the Town can meet its capital financial plans and have the flexibility to respond to unplanned financial events. The 2023 Annual Treasurer’s Statement of Reserve Funds for Development Charges and the 2023 Annual Treasurer’s Parkland Dedication Reserve Fund Statement are available to the public upon request. More information on the Town of Pelham’s budget and financial position can be found at www.pelham.ca/budget
Niagara Region Transit (NRT) On-Demand Update
Councillor Olson provided a presentation regarding the Niagara Region Transit detailing the improvements to on-demand and specialized services. Detailed in the presentation included the new access highlights for Pelham, which included inter-municipal service permitting trips from any origin to any destination in Niagara West as well as a specialized transit service that will transport eligible riders from any origin to any destination. Niagara Region Transit information can be viewed at https://www.nrtransit.ca/ondemand/
Merritt Road Rehabilitation between Line Avenue and Rice Road
Council received Report #2024-0142, Merritt Road Rehabilitation between Line Avenue and Rice Road, and awarded the capital repairs to Merritt Road between Line Ave and Rice Road to Circle P Paving in the amount of $107,415 and directed staff to fund the capital repairs to Merritt Road using $107,415 from the general contingency for the Quaker Road Reconstruction project. The rehabilitation will include repairs to fix the shoulders with hot mix asphalt and apply a surface treatment layer as a wearing course. These processes would increase the service life of the road by approximately 5 to 6 year as it is anticipated that Merritt Road extension between Rice Road and Cataract Road will be completed in the next 5 to 6 years by Niagara Region. In addition, Town staff are planning for the reconstruction of Merritt Road between Pelham Street and Rice Road in 2028/2029.
Updated to clarify the rationale for Wellspring's property tax reduction.
