by Sylene Argent, Local Journalism Initiative
EMS Chief Lammers reports back
on brine well safety questions
When presenting a report to County Council at the May 1 regular meeting detailing the status of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry (MNRF) action plan to address risks from legacy oil and gas wells in Southwestern Ontario, Mayor of Amherstburg Michael Prue inquired about potential hazards regarding brine wells located within the region.
EWEMS Chief Justin Lammers previously noted the Ontario government has allocated $7.5M over three-years, with the County of Essex successfully spearheading the first year’s plan with full funding.
The County of Essex was one region of nine approved for funding in year one.
“This plan includes collaboration with local municipalities and focuses on public awareness, training, monitoring, capacity building, Emergency Response Plan updates, and delivering Emergency Management Ontario training,” Lammers explained at the previous meeting.
The report notes the County of Essex formulated a plan and received approval from the MNRF to execute the first year of this fully funded plan of $280,000 in collaboration with its local municipal partners.
Year two began April 1, 2024. The County of Essex is currently awaiting notification from MNRF with the instructions to apply for year two funding.
Lammers looked into the matter of brine wells and commented that while he was unable to comment on the risk of collapse, he could confirm that Hydrogen Sulfide (H2S) and other toxic gases can be found in those wells, similarly to oil and gas wells.
“The work that has been started with the legacy oil and gas well preparedness through funding with MNRF within our region would apply to all releases of H2S, including those coming from brine wells,” Lammers reported.
Large animal rescue
training session in the works
At the May 1 regular meeting of County Council, Essex Mayor Sherry Bondy spoke of the importance of looking into large animal rescue training for area first responders, so they could be prepared to properly and safely handle a situation should livestock be at risk due to a fire.
Essex Windsor EMS Chief Justin Lammers explained since the last meeting, County Emergency Management Coordinator, Dan Metcalfe, has solicited interest in this type of training from all local municipal Fire Chiefs.
“I am happy to report there is significant interest in this training,” Lammers said, adding Essex Fire & Rescue is looking to collaborate with the Windsor Essex Therapeutic Riding Association (WETRA) to host the training session.
Representatives of a first responders large animal rescue training program through the University of Guelph are willing and able to come to the area to deliver this training, Lammers relayed.
This program will be open to all municipal partners to participate.
That will likely take place in the late summer or early fall.
Essex Fire Chief Jason Pillon later responded he is looking forward to the collaboration and bringing the training session to the area.
Amherstburg to request traffic study
for section of CR20
Amherstburg Deputy Mayor Chris Gibb presented a Notice of Motion, to be discussed at the June 5 meeting.
He noted at the April 22 meeting of Amherstburg Council, he and Mayor Michael Prue were directed to ask the County of Essex to conduct a traffic study on County Road 20, from Texas Road to Essex County Road 3.
The hope, Gibb said, is that County Council will, at the next meeting, direct staff to conduct a traffic study to investigate the effectiveness of speed reductions and other traffic calming measures to ensure vehicular and pedestrian traffic in that area is being managed as safely and efficiently as possible.
Kingsville to ask regional organic
waste collection be funded through
County tax levy
Kingsville Deputy Mayor Kim DeYong presented a Notice of Motion, to be discussed at the June 5 meeting.
Kingsville Council directed DeYong and Mayor Dennis Rogers to present a motion at County Council, asking County Council to agree to fund the cost of the future regional organic waste collection and processing program to the County of Essex property tax levy.
If by-laws and agreements require changes for that, it is requested the County of Essex make those amendments.
The request will ask for County Administration to prepare a report describing and evaluating the implications of these decisions.
DeYong explained that at the March 16, 2022 County Council meeting, it was determined all local municipalities would participate in the regional organic waste collection and processing program.
The County of Essex established the level of service associated with the future program, and she said it is estimated this service will result in a 4.3% property tax increase in Kingsville in the first year of the program.
Similarly, during a special Essex Council meeting hosted May 13, Essex Council moved Deputy Mayor Rob Shepley’s motion that Essex Council direct himself and Mayor Sherry Bondy, as the County reps, to ask County Council to agree to fund the cost of regional organic waste collection and processing program through the County of Essex property tax levy.
He explained at that meeting the organics program is a County initiative, so the cost should be included on the County levy, instead of the Town’s mill rate.
Essex and Kingsville were not legislated to participate in the organics pick-up, due to population. A County resolution required participation.
For additional Essex County Council news, look for the articles “Essex County Council amends connecting link road agreement with Leamington,” “Essex County Council approves funding to start Development Charges study,” and “Fresh agreement will have FSWE deliver County homelessness program through HPP funding” in this edition of the Essex Free Press.