Municipal duty

November 14, 2012

A story this week about the municipality divesting land that may be contaminated with septic waste is disconcerting. If the Ministry of the Environment has expressed concern regarding a municipal road allowance that sits on a flood plane, the municipality should encourage the source of the problem to rectify the issue, and help him or her achieve that. That is the role the municipality should be playing in this scenario, for the greater good of the residents and the water body and aquifer that could be impacted by such waste.
Washing its hands of the situation by simply selling the land is not what we expect from a public sector body. Municipal council and staff are entrusted with our money to ensure our environment is clean, and the health and safety of residents protected.
While we think it is great of council to try and get top dollar for municipal land, of greater importance is the fact that there may be some contamination issues that ought to be addressed.
Municipal governments have become so concerned with liability that it seems they’re forgetting about their mandate. Again, to ensure the safety and health of their residents and conduct planning and building approvals with the same in mind.
Environmental and health hazards should not be ignored by simply selling the land, and we believe that if systems have failed, the municipality also has to take responsibility.
The monitoring of septic systems is something the municipality should be undertaking, especially when it concerns a rural business and a property the Ministry of the Environment has already expressed concern over.
Long-term sustainability is also important when it comes to planning and building approvals. When septic systems are approved, staff should ensure that such systems are effective into the future and impress on landowners what their expected shelf life and capacity might be. That is why we expect municipal employees to ensure their knowledge of building materials and septic and well water systems is up to date. It is important that they’re aware of new building codes and when building products are either discontinued or taken off the market and why.
Muskoka has a lot of builders. Some are very good and others not so much, and that is why our building inspectors and other municipal staff should be worth their weight in gold. We want them to take courses and ensure that their inspections and approvals are conducted with knowledge, prudence, fairness and care. That, after all, is what our tax dollars pay them for.
TdV