Editor’s note: Brian Gallagher submitted this article today.
A near capacity crowd assembled at the Royal Canadian Legion on Bridge Street in Almonte, on the evening of June 7th at 7:00 pm.
The original concern was Mississippi Mills Council’s indication that they intended to pass the Heritage Conservation District (HCD) by-law for downtown Almonte. Councillor John Edwards visited some of the property owners and made a point of telling them that despite their objections the HCD was going to proceed.
Brian Gallagher outlined the history of this issue at length. There was a surprising twist as property owners from all corners of Mississippi Mills were obviously frustrated and in some cases quite angry over the treatment they are receiving over other issues, at the hands of the municipal staff and council.
It was suggested that a ratepayers group be formed to monitor council and remind them of their obligation to their public.
To this end another meeting will follow as soon as possible to organize the new ratepayers group.
There was also a guest speaker in the person of Jeff Bogaerts, the President of the Lanark Landowners Association and Vice President of the Ontario Landowners Association. Mr. Bogaerts a paralegal, gave several examples of where municipalities have overstepped boundaries in their diligence to enforce by-laws and the building code. The theme of his talk was stay vigilant on the action of your local council because many of them are not as familiar as they should be with the Municipal Act and as a result often pass by-laws which are illegal.
If you have a desire to learn more or to assist please contact:
The Concerned Property Owners Group
Phone 613-290-3781 – Email bjgg43@icloud.com
