West Grey Council — Tuesday, September 15, 2026

Durham Landfill amendment: Council directed staff to seek a Ministry compliance amendment after a report revealed a portion of the Durham Landfill waste mound was inadvertently built steeper than its approved final design, preventing placement of final cover. The municipality’s long-standing engineering firm will absorb additional supervisory costs at no charge. Approval would unlock an estimated 8.5 to 10 additional years of landfill capacity, eliminate tipping fees currently paid to haul waste elsewhere, and could extend the life of the Bennett Landfill using material from the Durham site. Motion carried.

Mealock Road resurfacing: Council approved redirecting $110,000 in Ontario Community Infrastructure Fund (OCIF) surplus to upgrade Mealock Road (Concession 6 to 8) from a planned double surface treatment to a 50 mm hot-cross-bonded asphalt lift — a staff-recommended scope change based on traffic counts and long-term maintenance costs. The Walker Group is the proposed contractor, targeting completion by October 30. The amount exceeded the $50,000 staff-delegated authority threshold, requiring council sign-off. Motion carried.

Development charges warning: The Treasurer presented the annual development charges reserve statement now required under Bill 60. Council was cautioned that Ontario Minister Flack stated at the AMO conference in Ottawa that “the days of growth paying for growth are coming to an end.” West Grey is currently ineligible for the current provincial housing-linked grant round, which is restricted to municipalities without a development charges bylaw as of March 30, 2026. The Mayor urged council to watch near-term provincial direction closely. Motion to file the statement carried.

Community Garden Policy: Council approved an amended policy following input from gardeners. Plot rotations were set to a three-year cycle rather than the staff-proposed annual process; a mandatory one-work-day volunteer requirement per season was retained despite objections; and a $25 flat fee per plot — regardless of bed size — passed unanimously. Staff were directed to clarify grass-cutting responsibility language in the policy.

Library Strategic Plan delegation: Board chair Kim Beto and Samantha Mon presented the West Grey Public Library’s 2026–2030 Strategic Plan. Beto noted provincial library funding has not increased in approximately 40 years. Council and the board flagged artificial intelligence as an unresolved emerging challenge with no action adopted. A budget increase, driven primarily by salaries, will come forward in the budget process.

Letter of support — mounted shooting range: Council voted to send a letter supporting Stephen Debb Smith’s application to establish a cowboy mounted shooting practice range. Councillor Townsend noted Smith is a retired OPP officer who competes across North America using only blank ammunition. Motion carried.

Rental insurance: Duo Insurance will cease offering the $5-million liability coverage the municipality refers facility renters to, effective November 30. A replacement through the municipality’s own insurer — expected to cost renters less — is arranged. Received for information.

https://pub-westgrey.escribemeetings.com/Meeting.aspx?Id=67e54e69-f2b0-4d65-91a1-468711718784