All Entries in the "Local News" Category
‘COVID-19 not going away any time soon’: Acting Medical Officer of Health
As the number of cases rise above 150 in Hastings Prince Edward counties, and a new variant is on the horizon, the acting medical officer of health states “COVID-19 is not going away any time soon”. Hastings Prince Edward Public Health (HPEPH) declared the region at a ‘red’ risk level, referring to a seven-day case […]
Active COVID-19 cases at 137; 14 outbreaks ongoing
NOV. 30 – Fourteen new COVID-19 cases and six recoveries put local active cases at 137. There are three people in hospital, one in intensive care and 14 outbreaks continue (see chart below). Of the 14 new cases – six in Belleville, five in Quinte West, and one each in Prince Edward County, Tyendinaga and […]
Brown named PEC’s new fire chief
Chad Brown will be the new fire chief for Prince Edward County as of Dec. 6, overseeing its complement of 150 volunteer and full-time firefighters. Brown is the County’s fourth chief since amalgamation, following the retirement this month of Robert Rutter who took over from Scott Manlow. George Pettingill was the first County chief. Chief […]
Staff recommending volunteer firefighters be vaccinated
UPDATE: Council decided to include volunteer firefighters in municipal vaccination policy, but eliminated wording with regard to temporary leaves of absence from attending first response calls, in favour of allowing regular COVID-19 testing for those not able to provide proof of vaccination. Regular testing frequency is to be discussed as rapid testing is not possible […]
Bylaw prohibits noise from amplified source after 11 p.m.
UPDATE: Council approved changing the after 9 p.m. prohibition for noise from an amplified source in a hamlet or urban area to after 11 p.m. Council also asked that staff review enforcement for the bylaw and return recommendations and information back for discussion in the first quarter of 2022. Following several suggestions for changes, and […]
Council to consider municipal status as living wage employer
UPDATE: Motion carried. Council at Tuesday night’s meeting will consider directing staff to seek certification of the municipality as an Ontario Living Wage Network living wage employer at the “supporter” level. The “supporter” level refers to the lowest level of certification for an employer, indicating that “all direct full-time employees are paid a living wage”, […]
County seeking ways to cover skyrocketing cost to build new long-term care home
Skyrocketing construction costs to replace the municipally-run H.J. McFarland Memorial long-term care home leave staff to recommend seeking other means to finance the build beyond provincial funding (30 -40 per cent) and municipal debt – including development charges and sponsorships. The total project cost estimate is $93,567,672 for a 155,173 square foot building. In 2019 […]
Pandemic second home sales called drivers of County’s high-priced housing market
A study from McGill University on the effects of short-term accommodations on the housing market indicates the COVID-19 pandemic second home sales were the drivers of the high priced housing and rental market – more so than STAs. However, McGill Professor David Wachsmuth, a global leading expert on the subject, says a solution to creating […]
New seasonal water rates approved for 2022-2027
Increased charges for water and wastewater use in spring and summer months, will go into effect Jan. 1, 2022. Council approved the five-year rate change at Committee of the Whole Wednesday and also directed staff to report on a relief program for low and fixed income taxpayers who may need it. The bylaw will go […]
Council to seek help with obligation to take over financial burden of pioneer and abandoned cemeteries
Council has approved a motion by councillor Mike Harper to write to seek assistance to deal with increasing financial burdens of pioneer and abandoned cemeteries – with limited resources. A letter from Mayor Steve Ferguson is to ask the Rural Ontario Municipal Association (ROMA), the Eastern Ontario Wardens’ Caucus to canvass other rural municipalities to […]
