North Huron joined the bandwagon at their Feb. 16 council meeting to provide the Municipality of Morris-Turnberry with mutual aid fire service.
Because Morris-Turnberry does not have a fire department of its own, they would not be able to reciprocate a mutual aid deal, and as such, it would not have worked if all three departments didn’t agree to it.
The agreement means that the Howick and Huron East and North Huron fire departments will join in the efforts inside the Morris-Turnberry borders in the event of a fire if all the resources are exhausted by the department covering that part of the municipality.
So, for example, if North Huron is fighting a fire, and they run out of resources, they can call upon Howick or Huron East to help, at no charge.
The deal has a potential to cost $6,000 a year per municipality.
“It seems to me this can be seen as a fine gesture,” said Coun. Brock Vodden. “A little bit of sugar helps sometimes.”
He was referring to the sometimes strained relations between the two neighbouring municipalities, in the wake of an Ontario Municipal Board hearing last year regarding commercial zoning, and a pending arbitration between the two about the Belgrave water infrastructure.
North Huron Reeve Neil Vincent agreed with Vodden, saying that they should provide the service at no cost.
“If it’s costing any of the three municipalities, it might be reflected in the next contract,” he said.
The current contract will last two years.
Deputy Reeve Murray Scott, who was the chair of the former Wingham and Area Fire Board also agreed with the proposal.
“I feel we’re somewhat obligated to them,” Scott said.
Couns. Alma Conn and David Riach opposed the motion.
“Why can’t it be billed back to them,” said Conn. “Approximately, Morris-Turnberry is gettng $18,000 (worth of service) for free. I just don’t understand how they can expect that service for nothing.
Riach agreed.
“I struggle with the logic of it,” he said.
The motion was carried, 4-2.