Enbridge Wind project dispute resolution to be updated

Council discussed updates to the Enbridge Wind Power Project’s dispute resolution process.

The process was created in 2007 to provide a protocol for neighbours of the wind farm to resolve noise complaints with the wind company.

Municipal staff met with Enbridge representatives to revise the document and now recommend it be updated to address all types of complaints.

It will also include a statement that Enbridge would cooperate with Hydro One to determine the source of any electrical concerns, and allow residents the option of registering complaints with the Ministry of the Environment.

Councillor Jacqueline Faubert said any agreement related to turbines and noise lacks “teeth” since the MOE noise protocol is not scientifically valid.

“Any dispute resolution protocol should not be taken as any change to the status quo with regards to turbines and noise,” Faubert said.

Deputy mayor Ann Eadie said “there are other things we wanted in [the document] but it is the best we could do at this time.”

Eadie said at least it recognizes other types of complaints.

Councillors discussed accountability after Faubert pointed out that complaints received by the MOE had not been forwarded to Enbridge in the past.

Councillor Maureen Couture suggested sending a letter to the MOE asking them to inform the municipality of complaints registered with the wind company.

“The municipality has no more power than ‘Joe Public’ so why get in this loop?” Councillor Ken Craig asked.

“All successful dispute resolutions involves two parties working together in good faith to resolve an issue,” said Mayor Larry Kraemer, agreeing with Craig.

Councillor Ann Eadie said she was concerned Couture’s suggestions would place an unnecessary workload on municipal staff and it would be more practical to ask for an annual report from Enbridge.

Council plans to vote on the final document at its Dec. 18 meeting, which is after the newspaper’s Monday print deadline.

Other briefs

• Council granted pre-budget approval for the municipality to hire students for summer positions according to the positions held last year. The municipality will hold interviews during reading weeks in February.

• Council responded to the LCBO there were no objections to extending Sunday hours of operation by an hour. The outlet will now be open starting at noon until 5 p.m.

• John R. Walker’s request to rezone his property at 137 King St, in Tiverton to allow for a licensed daycare was approved by council at its Dec. 11 meeting. At the same time, a deep river valley on the property was rezoned as hazard lands to be environmentally protected.

• Council renewed its general engineering agreement with B.M. Ross and Associated and a drainage engineering services agreement with R.J. Burnside and Associates.