MUSKOKA LAKES - The Township of Muskoka Lakes once again has someone taking care of things in the complaint department, a new bylaw officer.
The township hired Trevor George, a Muskoka Lakes firefighter and a lawyer, to fill in the position that was left open by Samantha Madeley-Carr late this summer.
In the past, Muskoka Lakes has had a bylaw officer only during the summer months. At a town meeting in Port Carling that took place after Madeley-Carr left, citizens expressed their desire for a bylaw officer. Mayor Alice Murphy said the people of Muskoka Lakes are law-abiding citizens and the monetary value of a bylaw officer must be weighed.
The township decided to use the remaining hours that were left when Madeley-Carr left to hire George one day a week until the hours run out. The position will change when the 2013 budget is released.
Fire chief Richard Hayes said that gives them an opportunity to train George so he can jump in full-time next summer, or whatever hours council decides.
Hayes said so far, they have received a number of calls, mostly regarding stray animals, noise complaints and junk on people’s lawns.
George was appointed as the bylaw officer as well as the property standards officer on Oct. 1. He can be contacted with bylaw complaints or concerns at 705-765-3156 or at tgeorge@muskokalakes.ca.