City council votes to take over water and sewage infrastructure

Councilor Tanya Vrebosch-Merry listens to the responses about the sewage and water treatment changes to take place as of July 1, 2011, after registering an official vote Monday night. Photo by Devin Size

After 40 years of the Ontario Clean Water Agency maintaining North Bay’s water and sewage infrastructure, the city has decided to take over the contract, cutting OCWA out of the picture.

The plants in question are the facilities located on Memorial Drive and Lakeside Drive. The sewage treatment facility and the water treatment plant will now be operated by city officials, as opposed to awarding the contract to OCWA as usual.

This issue has been long debated, and after a two and a half hour committee meeting last week, and Monday night’s vote pushed by councilor Tanya Vrebosch-Merry, it was decided once and for all who would claim responsibility, and at what cost.

“I know this seems like too much time to spend on a boring subject,” explained Vrebosch-Merry. “This is one of the most important matters this council will decide upon.”

This discussion went around the entire council table, hearing from all nine members present. Councilor Judy Koziol said that although she’s voting in favour, she’s unsure that the expertise necessary is found in the city.

“OCWA presents this hall of fame of experts,” says Koziol. “My only concern is the level of expertise, we don’t want to be tampering with our city’s water and sewage.”

The plan present by David Euler, the director of water and sewage for the city, stated that the city could be running the plants at a debenture cost of over $125,000 less than the previous contracts. This figure is estimated for a time span of over ten years. Councilor George Maroosis voted in favor, but says he’s been hearing opposing views from citizens.

“Business people find it hard to believe that the city can run this cheaper than a business can, but I think we can,” says Maroosis.

This proposition that was created in January will create 14 new jobs unionized by the city, but George Terry of OCWA says that they are losing an equivalent amount of staffed experts that have been with the agency for years.

“Well obviously we’re really disappointed, we’ve been here for forty years,” says Terry. “We’ve done everything the city has asked of us. I think they greatly underestimated the value of having a dedicated work force that has worked their entire career in this community.”

“I think council had a tough decision to make, and we wish it would’ve been in our favour. I think the cost didn’t seem to be problematic. We’re losing in the neighborhood of 13-15 positions, and of course that’s a major hit. These are people that have dedicated 10, 20, 25 years of service to the tax payers of North Bay.”

OCWA is a Crown Agency of the province of Ontario, and has more than 180 clients across its municipalities. One of the many issues concerning this change that arose during the meeting was the energy costs attached to the plants’ maintenance. In OCWA’s unsolicited bid, there was mention of an energy consumption cap, where they would pay the difference if the amount of energy consumed was above the agreed contracted amount. Euler’s rebuttal refuted the integrity of this guarantee, considering how much usage can fluctuate.

Habitat for Humanity

On a lighter note, Habitat for Humanity volunteer Ellen Faulkner presented the groups next big projects for the local organization, including many fundraising events and builds. Once again the group will be selling 2x4s, which the donators will sign their name on, and will be built into the frames of the two houses per year their plans predict completing. Faulkner thanked council for their support, and explained the joy she derives from being involved.

“These families are chosen through a selection board, and they still have to pay mortgages, but they are just interest free."

"I really enjoy being a part of this and helping these families.”

Poverty Reduction Working Group

Nancy Pilon and Leah Walker of the Poverty Reduction Working Group, stood before council to present facts about families living below the poverty line.

“My goal tonight is to bring a message to council,” explains Pilon. “It’s important that we realize this hidden population exists.”

In a multi-page package, including an eight minute long DVD, the PRWG explained many facts about the poverty line and how many citizens - including 1 in 5 children - fall beneath it. Their stats read that the average income is of $23,000 yearly, which is %16 below the provincial standard. Their main concerns are housing, jobs, and nutrition.

“We work on bringing people together, so they are not struggling in silence,” says Walker. “We are building towards a strong and sustainable work force.”