Alberton to renew forest fire agreement

Alberton council plans to renew its Municipal Forest Fire Management agreement with the Ministry of Natural Resources after hearing from local MNR fire management technician Marney Brown at last Wednesday night’s regular meeting.
The current municipal agreement format was put in place in 1998 with the fire management program, including suppression, planning, prevention, and training.
According to the MNR’s website, the “intent of the agreement is to apply the principle of overall ‘least cost’ in determining who should provide fire protection services on specific lands, and to ensure full cost recovery for both MNR and municipal organizations.”
The agreement with the Township of Alberton, which previously was a five-year one, is set to expire March 31.
“I’m here to see if you’d be interested in renewing for 2007 and subsequent years,” Brown remarked, adding no changes to the agreement have been planned.
“It’s definitely a benefit and offers cost saving where MNR response is required,” she explained.
However, Brown noted some of the rates are under review. Although they’ve remained unchanged for the past five years, and will remain the same for 2007, she can’t guarantee they won’t jump in subsequent years.
And the rate changes can occur even if an agreement is authorized.
Brown indicated there’s also an option to include the surrounding unincorporated areas in the agreement.
“A lot of others have chosen not to,” she conceded. “Each municipality must access its pros and cons. But no pressure—it’s an option if you are interested.”
But Coun. Doug Mitchell indicated the Alberton volunteer fire department cannot go outside the township’s boundaries to fight a fire, so including those areas would not be necessary.
“I don’t see a problem with the agreement,” he remarked. ‘We just don’t go outside our jurisdiction.”
Alberton council agreed to go with another five-year agreement. However, the resolution to renew the agreement likely won’t be signed until the next council meeting in February.
“We do have the ability to adjust the agreement if concerns arise,” Brown added.
Also at last Wednesday night’s meeting, Alberton council:
•heard an update from OPP Insp. Dave Lucas in an attempt to keep the “line of communication open” with the municipality;
•authorized reimbursement to seven residents under the Alberton Non-resident Library Reimbursement Fee program and agreed to continue the program through 2007;
•heard a report from Fire Chief Cory Jewell;
•discussed hunting on private land within the township;
•denied Bill Morrison Jr.’s building permit appeal;
•adopted the 2007 annual Municipal Accessibility Plan; and
•called a special meeting for Jan. 31 in order to authorize application for funding under the Rural Infrastructure Investment Initiative to improve the Millennium rink and park site.
Alberton council’s next regular meeting will be held Wednesday, Feb. 14 at 7 p.m. at the municipal office.