Fate of Shelburne Police could be sealed June 20

June 10, 2016 · 0 Comments

By Michelle Janzen

With information still forthcoming, the fate of Shelburne Police Services will not be decided until June 20.

As the local police service requires more space, the debate has become whether to expand or move the existing facility, or outsource policing to the Dufferin OPP, which is located just outside of town.

Len Mikulich, Chair of the Police Service Board, addressed Council on the issue, stating “Shelburne Police Service has grown and evolved over the past 137 years serving and responding to the needs of our community in a way that an embedded Police Service can do.

“With the town’s rapid growth, we need to plan for the future and that requires proper infrastructure,” he said. “Failure to invest, to make a commitment for the future, takes us down a path where the outcome is uncertain, where the risks potentially outweigh any short term rewards.”

In closing, Mikulich told Council he “would encourage your deliberations to truly reflect and look at a standalone police facility that will provide our members the much needed space and modern technology to deliver quality, effective services to our citizens now and into the future.”

Discussions then continued, and it was decided that all options should be considered prior to spending considerable tax dollars.

“Currently there are no active grant applications that will assist with construction costs and a new Police station does not fall within current grant funding requirements,” said Town Treasurer Carol Sweeney. “There are funds in a DC (Development Charge) reserve to assist with construction costs.”

The discussion shifted to the time frame allowed to meet Provincial requirements and it was determined that as long as steps are being taken to try to accommodate the Police Service, there will be no timeline set to meet Provincial requirements. However, there is a need to provide due diligence.

Mayor Ken Bennington tasked the Treasury department with creating a graph showing the cost of constructing a new police accommodation in relation to the debt capacity chart that was shown within their presentation that night on long term debt and debt capacity.

On Monday night, Sweeney brought back a graph as requested and explained “even though the town is looking pretty good financially, Shelburne has experienced some unexpected recent costs over the last year.”

“It is not likely the Town of Shelburne could afford the cost of re-building a new Police Station. Generating income could come from raising taxes but I do not recommend that.”

CAO John Telfer added “The likeliness of any finalized plans will probably occur only after many other facts are examined and a long term goal may have to be somewhere in the neighbourhood of 2018, but at this point there is no rush or pressure to make a hasty decision.”

Currently, the Police Service can maintain their current service levels and remain at status quo. It was noted that there is no problem with the Police Service being provided, the problem lies within housing the Police services.

A decision is expected on June 20 to determine the direction they will go in.

ABOVE: TIM HORTONS CAMP DAY – Town of Shelburne Constable Morash, OPP Constable Nancekivell and Town of Shelburne Chief Moore were all working behind the counter at Shelburne’s Tim Hortons this past Wednesday, June 1, where 100 per cent of proceeds from the purchases of coffee during camp day went to Tim Hortons Camps. Thanks to the Tim Hortons Children’s Foundation, more than 19,000 kids will attend camp this year! PHOTO BY MICHELLE JANZEN