Mayor Marvin Junkin’s absence from Wednesday’s Pelham Town Council meeting created a tied vote on the contentious issue of whether to keep permitting dogs in local cemeteries. The item, part of a broader overhaul of the Town’s cemetery bylaws, split three votes apiece.
Council protocol dictates that a tied vote results in a lost motion, however interim Town Clerk William Tigert requested that both sides of the issue be presented as separate motions for clarity.
CAO David Cribbs said the deadlock was probably a positive development, with a deferral until the next meeting Jan. 24 — with all seven members present — to decide the question.
Cribbs said the issue has proven to be a polarizing one in many municipalities.
“You are an excellent embodiment of that division,” he said.
Deputy Mayor John Wink, Ward 1’s Wayne Olson and Ward 2’s Brian Eckhardt opposed dogs in cemeteries, while Ward 1’s Kevin Ker and Ward 3’s Bob Hildebrandt, and Shellee Niznik supported. Service dogs would be exempt from any legislation.
“This one is a little personal for me,” Wink said, citing his late wife’s burial in a local cemetery. “I don’t want a dog defecating on my wife’s grave, let’s be blunt...it irks me every time I go into the cemetery.”
Countering that position was Niznik, calling “dogs a good part of our community.”
This one is a little personal for me
Hildebrandt stressed that he wanted it made clear that all dogs in cemeteries and public parks be leashed, perhaps to the point of adding signage to that effect.
Cribbs said he wouldn’t be surprised if council received delegation requests on the matter ahead of the next meeting.
Lacrosse lease at MCC passes
Council passed a new user lease agreement at the Meridian Community Centre for the Pelham Raiders Lacrosse Association, but like a previous deal with the Pelham Panthers hockey team, not without some nitpicking.
Similar to his position with the Panthers, Hildebrandt balked at the idea of a four-year lease for the lacrosse concern.
Cribbs said that it is difficult for small user groups such as the Raiders to operate on one-year leases, and that the term was basically standardized with the Panthers and other organizations. He reiterated that all agreements come with a 90-day opt-out.
Hildebrandt added that user rates are not consistent between what outdoor sports pay for Town fields versus what indoor sports pay for MCC facilities.
“It’s an apples and oranges comparison when talking about summer sports,” Cribbs replied, while conceding that staff was working on a detailed rates report.
Niznik questioned why the Raiders team was given free use of an MCC meeting room once a month. Director of Recreation, Culture and Wellness Vickie vanRavenswaay said that the same option exists for other user groups, but not all of them take advantage of it.
Gas lamp expense
The cost of installing old-fashioned decorative gas lamps in downtown Fenwick nine years ago appears to have come home to roost with a staff report proposing their replacement with electrical LED lights. Doing so would require decommissioning the gas lines to the six lamps at a cost of $10,000. According to the report, the average monthly gas bill to service all six lamps is $150, or $1,800 a year.
Ker suggested the possibility of simply leaving one gas lamp active and changing the rest to LED so that the lines would not need to be removed.
Fellow Ward 1 Councillor Olson said that constituents he’s talked to like the gas lamps, which Ker somewhat disagreed with.
“Similarly, I’ve talked to people who are indifferent to the lights, and in looking at it from a climate standpoint, burning natural gas just for the sake of light is probably not the most forward climate approach,” Ker said.
Either way, 24 years into the 21st century, the manufacturer of the gas lamps is no longer in business, and replacement glass globes are not available from lighting suppliers. Replacements must be custom-made by a specialist glass blower at a cost of $1200 per globe.
Alzheimer Society
Council received a presentation from John Netherway, Director with the Alzheimer Society Niagara Region Foundation highlighting the work of the organization. January is awareness month and the presentation included the programs and resources available to individuals, families and caregivers who are impacted by Alzheimer’s and Dementia. The society is currently recruiting for volunteer board members from the Pelham area to serve on the board. Additional information on programs, services and volunteer opportunities can be found online www.alzheimerniagara.ca
Niagara Region - Transportation Strategy Steering CommitteeCouncil nominated Councillor Olson to be considered as the Pelham representative for the Transportation Strategy Steering Committee for the current term ending in 2026. The Transportation Strategy Steering Committee (TSSC) is an advisory committee to the Public Works Committee (PWC). The TSSC will advise on matters related to transportation policy and planning across disciplines affecting the transportation network in Niagara.
