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The volunteer members of the Local Services Board (LSB) work hard to review needs and set priorities for the coming fiscal year. Each year the (LSB) must hold a budget meeting for the public. It is this editor’s understanding said budget must be approved at this meeting. In other words, you the taxpayer, have a BIG say in where your $money$ goes.
Below this article is a notice of the LSB meeting to deal with next year’s budget among other things. LSB taxes have doubled in the past few years. If you are concerned about increases in taxes, you are encouraged to make it a point to attend.
The Board is dealing with the cost of the oil spill at the community centre. Currently the taxpayer is picking up the tab. If you want to know why us and not the oil company or the insurance company you should be at the meeting.
Also, the Board is dealing with major cost increases in fire/medical call services resulting from the incorporation of the fire department.
- Do you know why we needed this incorporation and the resulting tax increases?
- What are you getting for the extra cost"?
- What happens to our existing LSB owned fire hall and equipment?
- Is it the best deal for the taxpayers?
- Is there another option?
- Do we need such a high level of service in such a small, rural community?
- Were you aware of the potential costs when fire department incorporation was being considered?
This is your community and we all have a responsibility to assist the LSB members in guiding us into 2013.
Filed under: News
This is Al Proctor’s presentation from the Coffee Klatch, July, 2012, regarding the incorporation of the the Restoule Fire Department.
For a number of years your Fire Dept. has been managed and funded by the L.S.B. The L.S.B. operates under the Authority of the M.N.D.M. & F. L.S.B’s must abide by the Ministry Legislated Guidelines. One of those guidelines states that such Fire Dept.’s can only respond to “Fire” related emergencies and not “other Emergencies” such as Emergency Medical Response, Motor Vehicle Extrication and various rescues such as Water & Ice Rescue and other Search and Rescue Operations. As Firefighters, we always knew that this Legislation existed but it appeared, it just wasn’t being enforced. Well, a couple of years ago, that all changed. When the Ministry advised the L.S.B’s that Fire Dept.’s under their authority could no longer continue to operate in this way. The Ministry advised: the Fire Dept. has two options – (1) Stop responding to Emergencies that are not “Fire Related” or (2) Incorporate the Fire Dept. The members of the Fire Dept. held a meeting to discuss it and voted unanimously to incorporate your Fire Dept. A Lawyer was retained and the Incorporation process began. Today, I am happy to report the Incorporation of the Fire Dept. is now complete. The articles of Incorporation were recently received from the Lawyer and they are also on file in Toronto. A formal Agreement/contract has been written and signed by the Restoule Volunteer Fire Department and the Local ServicesBoard of Restoule.
Every fall, the Fire Department will present it’s budget to the L.S.B. Once agreed upon, it will become part of the L.S.B.’s total budget, to be approved by the Public at an Annual Budget meeting. Now keep in mind, this budget and this agreement is specific to “Fire Related” Emergencies and activities only. (Fire Related Activities are deemed to be Fire Education, Fire Prevention and Fire Suppression.) So as the Fire Department is intent on continuing to respond to other “Emergencies, the funding for such responses must come from other sources. (Example: Fundraising, Donations and the Fire Fighters Ladies Auxiliary) By incorporating your Fire Department it has allowed us to continue to provide all of the Emergency Responses that you have come to know and expect. The Restoule Volunteer Fire Department trusts that the Public understands that this necessary change was not sought by the Fire Department, but was imposed upon the Fire Department by a Government Ministry. I can assure all of you, the “Board of Directors of the newly Incorporated Fire Department and its dedicated Firefighters” will strive to ensure that the inhabitants of Restoule and its visitors will continue to receive the Best Possible Emergency Service that available funds will allow.
Al Proctor
Thanks Al for the clear explanation of the process. I’m sure all residents look forward to the continued excellent service from our fire department.
There seems to be so much misunderstanding about the incorporated Fire Dept, etc etc but it seems to me that it has been explained more than once and it seems people just DON’T UNDERSTAND. Al Proctor, President of the Incorporated Fire Department spoke at the Coffee Klatch this summer and I felt he explained the responsibilites of the Fire Department and the LSB when it comes to 1) Fires and 2) Medical Calls. LSB is responsible for the expenses incurred in a Fire call. The Incoporated Fire Department is responsible for expenses incurred in a Medical Call. There are many more medical calls than fire calls, so it stands to reason those expenses are going to be much more.
In the comment made by Al Proctor on November 9th, I felt he made it very clear what the difference is.
Al has also offered to be on hand at the LSB Public Budget meeting to answer questions. It is hoped that people will LISTEN to what he says. It really isn’t too hard to understand.
Kuddos to Melissa and Sue for also shedding light on the amount of time, energy and dedication of these volunteers. Also all the hard work that goes into any fundraising that is being done to defray the expenses. One more thing to give thought to is the danger to these volunteers lives when they attend these calls.
I am so very upset see that people are complaining about the fire dept and medical costs. I don’t think people in the community realize how much these men do Volunteering there time. As I am writing this reply my husband is out on a medical call…having to leave in the middle of dinner and is supposed to be on his way to his PAYING job. I truly hope the person is helping is thankful for his help and not worried about paying a few extra bucks on his taxes. I can’t believe that people would rather complain about costs then have the reassurance of great medical care? Maybe all these men who volunteer and give up family time should all pack it in and then everyone would have to wait for powasson and loring to come, when minutes are so valuable in a medical call. Also do you realize that if we don’t have a fire dept YOUR HOUSE INS will go through the roof. I really hope that all of you who are complaining about the cost don’t find yourself needing medical or a fire call because once you have seen how great the restoule fire dept is you would feel like a real hippocrite. So the next time my husbands pager goes off I hope the people he will be helping appricate the help, because I thought I lived in a caring and special community?
I think you have the wrong impression, Mellissa. I’ve not seen anyone question the value or need for services. Merely asking if the public was involved in the budget process and whether or not other means of delivery were considered. Lets face it, the turn out at budget meetings in the past has been lacking.Big difference.
I agree that more people need to come out and be aware of whats happening in the community. The post does say “do we need this level of service in the area” I would say yes!!! I don’t think people know how many calls the firemen attend. As to “what your getting for the extra cost” well we are getting great medical and fire service. Before the fire dept was incorporated there was a block of time that the firemen were not “legally able to go to medical calls” can you imagine if something terrible would have happened and there was no medical services. It is also my understand that the LSB are the ones who wanted the fire dept to be incorporated. This isn’t the first time that people are questioning the fire dept with regards to the incorporation, but instead of finding out the facts they would rather jump to conculsions. Just hoping people would be supportive. I hate paying more for taxes just like everyone else but perhaps we should be asking why bruman is taking there sweet time fixing they oil spill, instead of worrying about the fire dept.
Melissa, I regret the wording “do we need this level of service”. Obviously it can be misinterpreted. My purpose was to show the types of questions that should be asked of ANY budget item.
You probably know I served on the Fire Department and the LSB until my heart problem. I’ve received assistance from the fire department as well and fully support the group. In fact it was I who asked the LSB to provide an annual honorarium for the firefighters in recognition of their unpaid service.
The Restoule Scribbler was developed, published and is paid for by myself. My intent, as stated on the opening page, was to provide a forum for Restoulians to discuss issues. Sadly, very little is submitted, other than notices of events. Election and budget items are properly discussed at LSB budget meeting. Coffee klatches and the Scribbler are additional ways to create interest so folks will attend Board meetings and express their views.
You mentioned people jump to conclusions with out finding the facts. My point is the facts need to be made public. The minutes of LSB may be posted, but I don’t think many folks see them, otherwise, why the misinterpretation?
When I received the notice of the Election and Budget meeting for publication in the Scribbler, I recalled all the budget meetings I was involved in and how much apathy was exhibited by the lack of attendance and support of the volunteers who make up the LSB. So I wrote an article trying to stir up some interest for the election and budget.
Melissa, thanks for participating in the discussion. I’m sure others are reading this dialogue with interest. I’ll bet the turnout at the election / budget meeting will be good this year.
Lets hope we can get the whole town out that would be great!!!!
Just because I am a feminist and don’t want anyone being left out, we have men and women on our volunteer fire dept and we love you all!!!
After reading this issue between the LSB and the fire dept Iam absolutley disgusted to see that people are questioning the fire dept and medical services and the cost. My husband is a volunteer fire fighter and as I am writing this reply he is out on a medical call being called away from his family and he is supposed to be on his way to his PAYING job…but because of his love of his community he is out at the call and hopefully the person he is out helping truly appricates the services they are recieving and aren’t worried about paying a few extra dollars on there taxes. I don’t think people in this community truly know how much these men volunteer and give up there family time, not to metion risk their lives. Don’t you think paying a few extra tax dollars is worth getting great care? The firemen do seeing as how they are VOLUNTEERING there time. I think rather than complaining about money we should all be greatful. I am proud of my husband and of the restoule fire dept… If your loved one needed there help maybe you would change your mind, or maybe all the firemen should stop volunteering and then we would have to wait for powasson or loring…wow I am so dissapointed with this community right now…I hope if your complaining about the cost of the fire dept and medical care that you never have to use them because at 3am when there pagers go off all these men think about is helping YOU! even though you complain and give them a hard time
So very upset
Thank-You Melissa, Did you happen to notice an opening for an additional L.S.B member ???? YOU WOULD BE PERFECT !!!! Just saying ……
As to your question “do we need such a high level of service in a small community” This scares me. Between the median age of the residents of Restoule and the number of summer visitors that keep Restoule afloat in the Summer months, I don’t believe you can have too high a level of service. I believe people need to get the facts before going down this slippery slope and blaming those who should not be blamed. One should never play politics with the lives of others.
Just wanted to make the community aware that our fire dept does NOT get paid to go on calls. We are one of the few Northern fire depts that don’t get paid for calls…imagine how much your taxes would go up if you had to pay for the firemen and the chief? Our pay is knowing that we are doing a service to our community!
While it is agreed the Board is dealing with increased costs regarding the oil leak, I disagree with the statement that the L.S.B. is dealing with increased costs regarding the Incorporated Fire Department. Specifically, the medical responses,are not funded by the L.S.B. our contract is for fire related responses only, it is vey clear. Any other emergency responses are not covered in our contract with the L.S.B.
All of these responses are financially covered by your fire department.
The fire vehicles are not ownd by the L.S.B. they are owned by the community(specifically the taxpayer) These are community vehicles and they will always be community vehicles. Your fire department has always been responsible for their maintenance and care and that will continue. If anyone has any questions or concerns they can contact me. Al Proctor 705-729-5852
Also I will be at the public budget meeting if anyone would like to talk to me. Cheers Al
Al, you say “the medical responses, are not funded by the L.S.B. our contract is for fire related responses only” and you say further “Any other emergency responses are not covered in our contract with the L.S.B. All of these responses are financially covered by your fire department.” Are you saying the fire department has funds other than those provided by the LSB which are used for emergency response?
They do a ton of fund raising, pie sales, car wash, dances etc…. a ton of time and energy are spent raising money to assist the fire department, on their own time with no payment or thanks for the most part.
Yes the Incorporated Fire Dept does have money other than from the taxpayer(L.S.B. levy) There are various fundraising events as stated earlier. Stuff N such is a big one on the July long weekend. We also have access to monies raised by the Restoule Volunteer Fire Department Ladies Auxillary. We do receive donations from time to time. We apply for grants for safety related equipment from the Royal Canadian Legion Dominion Command. Having said this the costs of running a fire dept are extensive. Fire equipment and vehicles are expensive to buy, to replace and to maintain. Fire fighters need two things to be affective, adequate training and proper equipment. These things are vital for firefighter safety. I believe our job as an Incorporated Board is to look after the firefighters so they can look after you, the taxpayer. Al Proctor President of the Incorporated Fire Department
Again many thanks to Computerfella for this valuable forum for locals and seasonal residents to voice questions or concerns…how sad so few make use of this space.
We make sure to attend all events the Auxillary volunteer womens group put on to lend our support to the Restoule Fire and Rescue unit and donated to the helipad….they are indeed a dedicated group who know the land and water in this region like the back of their hand. Now what we need is phone service to call them….let’s pray that the cell tower is erected by June so all locals and seasonal campers and cottagers can use this cell coverage service. Again thanks Computerfella for your support with your community giving your community a voice.