Adam Prudhomme
Editor
TC Energy’s Napanee Generating Station community representative Peter Webster was at Greater Napanee council’s regular meeting on Jan. 14 to deliver his final status update on the construction project, as well as deliver a $200,000 parting gift.
Webster noted January marked seven years since a TC Energy (then known as TransCanada Energy) rep made their first appearance before council to announce a 900 megawatt natural gas generating station was to be built on the shores of Lake Ontario along Hwy 33. As a show of gratitude for those seven years of working alongside Greater Napanee’s town staff, Webster presented a one time $200,000 donation on behalf of TC Energy to go toward the town’s physician recruitment program.
“This is a complete and utter surprise,” said mayor Marg Isbester. “I can guarantee you that it will be put to good use.”
In updating the progress of the generating station construction, Webster said they’re in the process of adding the final touches to two buildings. At which point, all nine buildings will be granted occupancy permits.
“Construction of Napanee GS is virtually complete, with a couple of months of testing and commissioning equipment and systems remaining,” said Webster.
He noted there’s currently 180 people on site, which will be dramatically reduced by mid-February. The station is expected to be in commercial operation by mid-March and the sale of the station to Ontario Power Generation is expected to close later this year.
-Council voted to support town staff’s recommendation that the town authorize a letter that states they have no objection to Forbes Bros. installation of a 45 metre tall telecommunications tower at the South Fredericksburgh Waste Disposal Site, as well as a letter to Rogers Communications Inc. stating the town has no objection to a 75 metre telecommunications tower to be installed on the north side of Big Creek Road, about 300 metres west of the Loyalist Township boundary.
-Garbage bag tags are officially $3 as council voted to adopt a by-law to raise the price from $2, which was discussed at a council meeting in December. Council also voted in support of a by-law to adopt the 2020 utilities budget and impost rates and amending water and sewer charges.
-In response to a letter from Jane Adams Roy requesting information on how to petition VIA Rail to add one more stop each way per day in Napanee, Isbester directed the town’s communications department to do a social media ‘blast’. She left it with the communications department to determine the best way to gauge the public’s interest and garnering support towards adding an additional stop at the Napanee train station.
-Council will meet at the Adolphustown Town Hall on June 16 as a show of goodwill in commemoration of the 236th anniversary of the landing of the United Empire Loyalists. Councillor John McCormack put forward the motion that council hold a meeting at the historic location to help mark the anniversary.
-Isbester opened first council meeting of the new decade by pausing for a moment of reflection for the passengers who perished aboard Flight 752 in Iran. She also called for a separate moment of reflection in memory of town public works staff member Tony Andrews, who passed away on Jan. 1.