A proposed Black Lake public water access point will remain in Tay Valley Township’s 10-year capital plan, although the earliest planning work could begin is 2031.
Tay Valley council also approved the replacement of a plow truck written off following a June collision and contracted out winter maintenance at three municipal properties during its regular committee meeting on Sept. 22.
Black Lake access remains in capital plan
The Black Lake Water Access Point will remain in Tay Valley Township’s 10-year capital plan, but the earliest a parks plan could be undertaken is 2031 and would still require council approval during that year’s budget process.
Council approved the recommendation following further discussion about whether the proposed access point should remain in the long-term plan.
According to information provided by CAO/Clerk Amanda Mabo on Sept. 23, council discussed recent consultation indicating differing views among residents. Some want the proposed access removed from the capital plan, while others want it retained.
Council heard that property owners on Black Lake do not want the access, while property owners who do not live on the lake have expressed interest in accessing the public asset.
Members also discussed the limited number of public lake and river access points in Tay Valley. Of the township’s 32 lakes and seven rivers, council was told there is public access to only five.
Keeping the proposed Black Lake access in the capital plan could also improve eligibility for future grants.
Council discussed public access to lakes as both an economic and social asset, including providing opportunities for fishing.
Environmental considerations were also raised, including turtles and rat snakes on the property.
A parks plan would include public consultation as well as environmental and other studies and would ultimately determine what, if anything, could be developed on the property.
Council also considered that removing the project from the capital plan would not dispose of the property. The land would remain a municipal asset as an unopened road allowance and could be returned to the capital plan by a future council.
The Sept. 22 decision does not approve development of the site. It establishes that the earliest a parks plan could begin is 2031, subject to budget approval.
Township replaces plow truck after June collision
The municipality will replace a 2016 Western Star plow truck after its insurer declared the vehicle a total loss following a June 12 collision.
Council approved the purchase Sept. 22, including waiving Section 7.3 of the township’s procurement policy.
The truck sustained severe cab damage in the collision. The township employee driving the vehicle was not injured and was able to return to work.
The 10-year-old truck had been scheduled for replacement in 2028. The township’s insurer declared it a total loss Sept. 1 following several months of discussions with staff.
Council approved purchasing an available chassis from Francis Truck Centre and snowplow equipment from GinCor Werx.
The replacement truck, including the chassis, plow equipment, auto-greaser and non-rebated HST, is expected to cost $462,784. An insurance settlement of $263,751 leaves a net replacement cost of approximately $199,033.
Staff said the available chassis has already been built and the snowplow package can be modified to meet township requirements. The replacement could potentially be ready by November.
The township will also sell the roll-off water tank associated with the damaged truck and look for proposals for a new slip-in water tank.
The township had $464,880 identified in its 2028 capital plan for replacement of the truck. Staff estimated approximately $249,452 of the planned expenditure would remain in reserve for future purchases.
Mabo said there was no further council discussion about the cost, insurance settlement or decision to purchase the available truck before the recommendation was approved.
Maberly Pines road work moved ahead to 2026
The township has moved planned surface treatment in the Maberly Pines subdivision ahead by one year after learning that waiting until 2027 could add as much as $45,000 to the project.
Council held a special meeting Sept. 15 to reconsider part of a June decision that called for brushing, road base work, rock check dams and hydroseeding in 2026, followed by surface treatment in 2027.
The delay was originally intended to allow staff to assess how the existing road base performed following the spring thaw.
Once work began Aug. 24, crews uncovered a base consisting of pit-run material and sand that staff said was in better condition than anticipated.
The contractor’s subcontractor also advised that its current surface-treatment price could not be held until next summer. Staff estimated waiting until 2027 could add between $36,000 and $45,000 to the contract.
Council voted 8-0 to complete the surface treatment in 2026.
The capital charge to benefiting property owners will still be imposed sometime in 2027 because some costs associated with the road-assumption process remain outstanding.
Winter maintenance contracted out at three municipal properties
Tay Valley Township has awarded Cavanaugh Construction Limited the winter maintenance contract for parking lots at Maberly Hall, Maberly Community Park and the South Sherbrooke Fire Hall.
The township sought private quotations as its public works department prepares to take on additional winter maintenance responsibilities associated with the assumption of roads in the Maberly Pines subdivision.
Based on last winter’s number of plowing and salting events, staff estimated costs of $4,910 at Maberly Hall, $2,270 at Maberly Community Park and $18,020 at the South Sherbrooke Fire Hall. The estimates include a 10 per cent contingency and non-rebated HST.
The one-year contract includes three optional one-year extensions.
Mabo said council’s Sept. 22 discussion included how the estimated costs were calculated using the quoted unit prices and the on-call procedures that will be used to meet plowing requirements during snowfall.
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