Lakefield Herald Special Report

Roadwatch Program pitched to NK council

by Doug Hutton

Iain McEwan, Media Relations Officer, Peterborough County OPP and Sherry Senis, Smith Ward Councillor and Chair of the Smith Ennismore Police Services Board, presented details on the new Roadwatch Program that is being offered to municipalities throughout the province to North Kawartha Council’s January 8 meeting.

Ms. Senis explained that whenever a citizen wishes to report a non-emergency to the police in a municipality that participates in the Roadwatch program, the report can be done through the internet (www.roadwatch.ca) or through one of the forms available at municipal buildings and libraries.

She said that the reports can concern such activities as someone speeding, driving while on a cell phone, or even unfamiliar vehicles parked in unusual locations for extended periods of time.

Generally, a letter is sent to the vehicle owner stating that someone reported their vehicle as being part of the offence. The person reporting the incident must give their name, but this information is not disclosed unless the matter goes to court.

Council thanked the presenters and referred the topic to the North Kawartha Police Services Committee, who had attended the presentation.

County Report

Deputy Mayor Barry Rand advised council that there has been a change in determining where patients should be sent by paramedics.

Paramedics have now been fully trained to recognize serious cardiovascular problems, such as strokes and heart attacks, and instructed to transport these patients directly to PRHC. Patients with less serious health problems will be sent to Bancroft Hospital.

Mayor Jim Whalen reported that the $16 million lawsuit between the county and PRHC is still an on-going matter.

Grant Application for Road Work

Craig Watson, Roads Superintendent, discussed various projects that might be suitable to receive the Municipal Infrastructure Initiative grant from the provincial government.

This grant is funded at a 90% level. Mr Watson said that the consultant’s Roads Study report has not been completed, making the choice of projects a little difficult and that the application for funding is due tomorrow.

CAO Shannon Hunter said that the Roads Study report is only one factor in the decision. Council recommended that improvements to the Jeff Rd.-Clydesdale Rd. link between Hwy. 620 and Hwy. 28 be selected as an appropriate project.

The road has blind corners and hills, and experiences a lot of summer traffic as a highway link and as access to the golf course.

Crowe Valley Conservation Authority

Deputy Mayor Barry Rand announced that the Crowe Valley Budget has been distributed showing an increase of 6 per cent in the first year. He said that staff has issued RFQs for critical dam repairs.

He also added that staff are well aware that there is an ongoing performance review that may determine that staff changes are necessary.

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