Part 2: Operational Decisions, Property Deferrals, and Facility Planning Debates – 03/13/2025

This coverage of March 13, 2025 Committee of the Whole meeting shifted from presentations into detailed discussion, motions, amendments, and recorded votes. While the meeting remained advisory in nature, the exchanges between councillors revealed clear differences in comfort level around timing, cost, and operational risk, particularly on issues tied to land use and municipal facilities.

Following the Environmental Advisory Committee (EAC) 2024 Annual Report, councillors engaged in a wide-ranging question period rather than formal debate. Phil St.-Jean (Picton) asked for clarification on greenhouse gas reduction targets and how progress is being tracked. Angus Ross, EAC Vice-Chair, explained that municipal emissions targets were previously adopted by Council, while community-wide emissions data is still being finalized.

© PEC Council (YouTube)

View the entire PEC Council Meeting; or view our recap.

Roy Pennell (Ameliasburgh) raised concerns about roadside vegetation and invasive species affecting rural road safety and walkability. MacNaughton and Ross acknowledged the issue but noted it had not been a formal focus of the committee’s work to date.

Several councillors, including Bill Roberts (Sophiasburgh), emphasized the importance of balancing climate risk messaging with positive outcomes and measurable progress. No motions beyond receiving the report were introduced, and the committee formally received the EAC report without opposition.

Pits and Quarries: Operational Direction Confirmed

The Evaluation of Pits and Quarries report prompted focused operational questioning, particularly from Councillor St-Jean, who asked whether excess soil receiving sites could accept material from outside County projects and potentially generate revenue.

Troy Gilmour, Director of Operational Services, explained that provincial excess soil regulations require site-specific plans prepared by qualified professionals, and that staff would explore multiple options before returning with recommendations.

After minor wording amendments to reflect current land disposition policy and timing language, the committee carried Motion CW-41-2025 in full. This included: declaring the Milford Pit surplus, directing rehabilitation of the Cherry Valley Pit, Crowe Pit, and Sophiasburgh Quarry, and xploring the potential use of these sites for excess soils, with cost implications to be reported in advance of the 2026 budget.

Staff Accommodation: Discussion Sharpens

The most contentious portion of the meeting centered on staff accommodation and municipal properties, particularly recommendations to declare operational sites surplus and consolidate services.

Brad Nieman (Bloomfield/Hallowell) introduced a deferral motion for recommendations related to: declaring the Cherry Valley Pit and Equipment Depot surplus, eclaring the Lake Street Garage surplus, and bringing forward an expansion plan for Sandy Hook operations. Nieman argued that councillors needed more time and firsthand understanding of the sites before supporting decisions with long-term operational consequences.

Councillor St.-Jean echoed those concerns, stating he could not support moving ahead without seeing where vehicles and equipment would be housed, noting the cost and lifespan implications for municipal fleet assets.

Recorded Vote: Deferral Carried

A recorded vote was requested, resulting in a 9–3 decision to defer the three recommendations until June 2025, after councillors are given an opportunity to tour the affected sites.

Those voting in favour of deferral included councillors from Picton, Ameliasburgh, Athol, Hillier, North Marysburgh, Bloomfield/Hallowell, and Sophiasburgh, indicating broad geographic concern about operational readiness.

John Hirsch (South Marysburgh) was among those opposed, expressing concern about delaying work that staff had already developed in response to previous Council direction.

Hillier Fire Hall: Surplus Confirmed

© Prince Edward County

Following the deferral, the committee returned to remaining recommendations. Chris Braney (Hillier) moved an amendment replacing the original water-source study with a clear direction to declare the former Hillier Fire Hall surplus, while retaining Jack Taylor Park.

The amended motion also directed staff to explore water service options for both the park and Hillier Town Hall. This motion was carried, clearing the way for potential divestment of the former fire hall property.

Picton Town Hall and Operating Funds

Council also approved a direction for staff to report back on Picton Town Hall as a shared community and staff space, while maintaining the adjacent parking lot for the Picton Farmers’ Market.

Finally, the committee approved reallocating $154,000 in unspent 2024 operating funds into the 2025 Operating Budget to support renovations at the Bloomfield Fire Hall. Staff clarified this was an operating carryforward, not a capital reserve transfer. The meeting adjourned at 4:02 p.m., with several files advancing and others paused for further review. Deferred items will return to Committee of the Whole in June 2025, while approved directions move forward to Council for final consideration later in March.

What it means for the residents

For residents, former extraction sites may transition into rehabilitation or regulated soil management roles. The deferral also directly affects residents in Cherry Valley, Picton, and Bloomfield, where municipal properties remain in limbo pending further review.

For Hillier residents, the decision moves a long-unused municipal building closer to sale while preserving parkland and public use. The decision on adjacent parking lot for the Picton Farmers’ Market affects downtown Picton by reinforcing continued public access to both civic space and market operations.

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Disclaimer: This article is based on a meeting with an approximate duration of 3:03:30. Due to the length of the meeting, our team was not able to independently review the full recording in its entirety. As a result, we relied on software-generated transcription, automated summarization, and automated recognition of speakers and participants, which may not be entirely accurate. All transcriptions, summaries, and related content are prepared by our team in good faith and on a reasonable best-efforts basis. The content is provided for general informational purposes only and is intended to support public understanding of the topics discussed. While reasonable efforts have been made to present the information accurately, automated processes may result in errors, omissions, or unintended misinterpretations. This article does not constitute an official, certified, or verbatim record of the meeting, and it should not be relied upon as such. Readers are encouraged to consult original source materials, official minutes, or recordings where available for confirmation or clarification. Questions, requests for clarification, or suggested corrections may be submitted to hello@pecconnect.ca for review and consideration.