Oro-Medonte council warned against hasty decision on Conservation Authority

Deputation to Oro-Medonte Council (for upcoming meeting Wed. September 8)
by Ted Beaton MD & Klaus Kuch MD September 2, 2010
We understand that a meeting of Council is scheduled for Wednesday, September 8th, at 18:00 at Oro Township Municipal Council Chambers. We further understand that the meeting’s agenda includes a Letter of Understanding potentially limiting the future role of the Nottawasaga Conservation Authority (NCA) within the Township of Oro-Medonte. The contents of the Letter are unknown to us.

The NCA addresses a variety of issues including building projects in potential flood plains and on aquifers.
Concerning the NCA’s role in the Township
1. We submit to Council that the NCA should continue its current level of oversight in our Township unless a public review indicates a need for revision.
2. There may be (or may not be) some overlap between the territories served by the NCA and the territories served by other conservation authorities (Simcoe and Severn Sound). This appears to be a separate matter.
If territorial overlap exists, it could presumably be resolved without changing the nature of the NCA’s mandate.
Concerning our wish for a more open government
1. NCA-related discussions by Council should not be held in camera. – The public has a clear & compelling interest in the NCA’s role.
2. We further suggest that a decision concerning the Letter of Understanding should not be rushed through Council just days before an election-related procedural deadline, particularly not when its contents are unknown to the public.
The soon-to-be elected Council might be better placed to decide after informed debate.
3. The public deserves more advanced and more visible notice of Council meetings, particularly pivotal ones that impact procedures and the path of future development. For example, this writer (KK) was unable to locate any related public notice of the September 8th meeting on the Township net-site.
A timely Deputation to Council would have been impossible without a casual remark from a private source.