GREENSTONE – At Monday’s regular meeting, council members decided to move ahead with administration’s draft Snow Windrow Removal Program Policy.
In the previous policy, residents over the age of 65 or those with disability status were eligible to receive the service.
The updated policy outlines that eligibility must be demonstrated by the applicant's financial need.
During the Service Delivery Review for Winter Control last September, council asked administration to review the existing Snow Windrow Removal Program Policy because the service was the costliest of the senior services provided by the municipality.
Under the current policy, the program requires approximately 0.57 per cent of the tax levy, which is a total estimated annual cost of $99,068.80 for both rural and urban areas of Greenstone.
If the by-law passes, the changes to the program can see the implementation of a user fee or a complete revamping of the program could include an income threshold amount that will save the municipality significantly.
Coun. Claudette Trottier asked: “I'm just wondering about the October 1 deadline for residents to get on the program. Is that the same timelines they had in the past or how are we going to let them know about the deadline?”
In response, Director of Public Services Brian Aaltonen said: “No. The policy had no deadline and people were registering throughout the year. We will have to work with Haley’s Group (Department of Economic Development) to advertise the requirement to apply as soon as possible.”
The voting to enact the bylaw for the Snow Windrow Removal Program Policy is set for the July 24 regular council meeting.