Tag Archives: Mayor Robin Jones

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Premier Wynne’s contact information

Since last Wednesday, many have inquired about who they should send their letters to complaining about Westport’s unsuccessful OCIF 3 grant application – money needed to help pay for the new waste water treatment plant.

My suggestion is to send your letters right to the Premier.  She is on Facebook, Twitter and I am attaching the link for you to send her an email.   https://correspondence.premier.gov.on.ca/en/feedback/default.aspx

If you are not sure what to say, you could consider including some of these points.

Kathleen Wynne, Premier 

Legislative Building 

Queen’s Park 

Toronto ON M7A 1A1

Westport is a Village in eastern Ontario with a population of 600 people.  It is the smallest municipality in Ontario with both water and waste water systems.   The waste water system is  wholly inadequate to service the needs of the community due to climate change and aging infrastructure.  Without being able to process effluent, thousands of litres has been hauled to a neighbouring community by truck over the past couple of years to a total cost of $800,000.  The situation poses an environmental and public safety threat to the Village and surrounding community.

The Village needs the help of the provincial government to complete a project of this magnitude.  To think that the Village’s small tax base can complete it on its own is unreasonable. Westport was turned down for an OCIF 2 grant and now for OCIF 3 as well.  It is difficult to understand how this critical work to bring the Village into compliance with the Ministry of the Environment and Climate Change is not a priority with your government.  

  Premier, what are you and your government going to do to help the Village of Westport?

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Letter from Ontario Government advising that Westport turned down for OCIF waste water treatment grant

Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs

4th Floor

1 Stone Road West Guelph, Ontario N1G 4Y2 Tel:   1-877-424-1300

Fax:   519 826-3398

Ministère de l’Agriculture, de l’Alimentation et

des Affaires rurales

4e étage

1 Stone Road West Guelph (Ontario) N1G 4Y2 Tél. : 1-877-424-1300

Téléc. :   519  826-3398

Rural Programs Branch

February 21, 2017 Our File: OCIF AC3-3088

Scott Bryce, Clerk-Treasurer Village of Westport

PO Box 68, 30 Bedford Street Westport, Ontario K0G 1X0 sbryce@villageofwestport.ca

Dear Scott Bryce:

Re: Ontario Community Infrastructure Fund (OCIF) Top-Up Application Component – 2016 Intake

Thank you for your application under the 2016 OCIF Top-up Application Component.

Ontario is committed to helping small, rural and northern communities address critical infrastructure challenges. This commitment includes increasing the formula-based funding under OCIF to $200 million per year by 2019 and increasing future top-up application funding to annual intakes of approximately $100 million, starting this year.

Following a detailed review of the application and supporting materials you submitted, we are writing to inform you that the Westport Wastewater Treatment System – Effluent Disposal Upgrade project has not been selected for funding.

Applications were reviewed and assessed based on the criteria outlined in the program guidelines. The ministry received hundreds of applications, and unfortunately demand for the program exceeds the funding available at this time.

Staff are available to provide additional details on your project’s assessment. Should you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact your Project Analyst, Stephen Hamblin, via email Stephen.Hamblin@ontario.ca or by calling (519) 826-3471 or 1-877-424-1300.

The 2017 OCIF Top-up Application Component intake will launch this spring. We invite you to submit a new application at this time.

Thank you for your interest in the OCIF Top-up Application Component. Sincerely,

Joel Locklin

Manager, Infrastructure Renewal Programs

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Disappointing News – Westport’s request for waste water replacement grant turned down.

To say that this decision is unfortunate, is an understatement.  Staff are following up with the contact person mentioned in the letter below for the reasons why our application was not supported by the Ontario Liberal government.

CAO Paul Snider is contacting the offices of Minister J Leal and Minister B Mauro, the two Ministries involved in the decision making, and is requesting meetings between Mayor Jones and the Ministers.

Yes, this is a set back, however we will continue to work to resolve the challenges of our current waste water treatment system and together we will come through 2017 with a dependable solution.

I thought it would be interesting to everyone to read the letter, so please see it below.

If you have any questions, pls call the councillor of your choice or me – 9195OCIF AC3-3088 Ltr.pdf

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Update on Westport’s Waste Water Treatment Plant

I am aware that some members of the public noted an odour coming from the waste water treatment plant yesterday and last night I followed up with the Manager of Infrastructure.  The processing of effluent occurred yesterday due to the ideal weather conditions.  Looking ahead for the next 14 days, there may only be one or two nights when the temperature dips low enough to process.  That will remove the odour as processing won’t occur with the warmer weather.

The plans for the new waste water treatment plant are on schedule, with the expectation that it will be completed by mid-summer.  The Ministry of the Environment and Climate Change will issue a permit for the new plant, which will NOT include the operation of Snowfluent.

Like all of you, members of Council are looking forward to the date later this year when the waste water treatment plant is decommissioned.

Please call if you have any questions or concerns.  273-9195

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The 2017 – 2 018 Application for Eastern Ontario Development Program (EODP) funding is now available.

Great funding opportunity for businesses,  community-led economic development initiatives!

Funding Overview

EODP supports the growth of local businesses, community-led economic development to enhance and diversify our local economy and the creation of new sustainable jobs in Lanark and North Leeds.

EODP provides non-repayable funding of up to 50% of eligible costs for approved projects demonstrating measurable economic outcomes such as job creation, increased productivity, creation of new products and entering new markets. Applicants are eligible up to a maximum of $100,000 in EODP contributions over a 5 year period.

Applications

Completed applications (with required attachments) must be emailed to eodp@valleycfdc.com. Please note: We recommend speaking to CFDC staff prior to completing an application. Handwritten applications will not be accepted. Applications that are not completed in full and do not include the required attachments may be deemed incomplete for funding consideration.

Applications are reviewed monthly on a first come, first considered basis. Please be aware that funding is limited and demand is high. Not all eligible projects will receive funding.

 Application Intake Deadlines: 

Intake 1: Applications received by February 27th 2017 will be reviewed by the committee on March 8th 2017

Intake 2: Applications received by March 24th 2017 will be reviewed by the committee on April 5th 2017

Intake 3: Applications received by April 21st 2017 will be reviewed by the committee on May 3rd 2017 (*should funds still be available)

2017-2018 Application (Word Doc)

Applications are reviewed by staff for completeness and submitted to the committee for review. The committee is comprised of volunteer members of the Valley Heartland CFDC Board of Directors and is responsible for all funding decisions.

Applicants will be informed of funding decisions within 48 hours of committee review.

For more information, please contact:

Amber Coville,

Business Development Officer & EODP Coordinator,

Valley Heartland Community Futures Development Corporation

Serving Lanark & North Leeds

 

T: 613- 283-7002 ext. 110

E: eodp@valleycfdc.com

 

Good luck and thank you for your

interest in Valley Heartland and EODP!