A report on a proposed cost-saving measure that would see buildings that provide in-person access to municipal services close in six communities resulted in an avalanche of deputations on the agenda of Monday’s Chatham-Kent council meeting.
It took municipal staff more than two hours to read the 105 deputations to council regarding the potential closing of service centers and municipal information desks in Wheatley, Tilbury, Dresden, Thamesville, Bothwell and Ridgetown that includes a plan to sell the buildings.
The plan also calls for keeping municipal services centers open in Chatham, Wallaceburg and Blenheim, based on the high number of transactions at these facilities and having the lowest cost per transaction and or receiving significant rent revenues.
“Ongoing discussions about possible community hub projects may also be a factor for administration and council to consider in making final decisions on service center reductions,” stated the report.
The reading of the deputations wrapped up around 9:45 pm, leaving only 15 minutes to discuss the issue before the meeting was scheduled to end. Council voted down a motion to extend the meeting to 11 pm The initial plan was for council to hold an extra meeting on June 27 to discuss the issue, but it was decided to bring the report back to the regularly scheduled next council meeting on July 11 .
None of the deputations supported the plan to close in-person access to municipal services, with many citing the negative impact it would have on their communities.
Many of the deputations also pointed out the growth being seen in these communities with new subdivisions under construction as a reason to keep in-person access to municipal services locally available.
Several deputations also cited the impact on seniors who don’t have computers or access to the Internet, as well as seniors who don’t drive or don’t want to have to drive to Chatham to access municipal services, especially with the high price of gas.
Numerous deputations focused on the impact to Wheatley residents, many who are still reeling from a gas explosion last August that destroyed a large section of the downtown, causing many residents to be evacuated from their homes for months.
“Removing services is like a kick in the teeth,” one resident wrote. “Isn’t Wheatley going through enough?”
Several deputations also cited the potential closure of the “iconic” clock tower municipal building in downtown Dresden.
“Once again, the residents of Dresden feel neglected,” stated one resident.
Citing the loss of the OLG casino in Dresden, which moved to Chatham, another resident stated, “Please don’t let Chatham win on this one. We need the municipal office in Dresden.”
There were also several references to past promises that municipal amalgamation wouldn’t result in a loss of services.
“Stop trying to close our town halls so bigger communities can get everything,” a resident wrote. “Cut something from Chatham.”
Another resident wrote: “Perhaps look at cutting middle management and upper management salaries,” adding it is “unfair” to rural residents to have services cut.
A service review committee, consisting of several municipal staff and citizen representatives, was formed in March 2021 to look at this issue, at the direction of council.
The report states if council is prepared to consider the closure of any service centers “there will be considerable savings due to building operational and lifecycle costs, while allowing for one-time revenues from the sales of these under-utilized buildings.
“Selling these properties could create new property tax revenues and may also have the effect of contributing to revitalization of the downtown cores in which they are located,” the report added.
The report states a total annual savings of up to $173,000 could be achieved, consisting of operational savings that reduce tax funding, and a reduction in lifecycle funding requirements.
If council supports the reductions in service center locations, administration would propose the introduction of some alternative service options in communities where service centers are reduced, in order to continue to offer effective substitutes to in-person services at much lower costs, the report said.
“There are already alternatives to many in-person services that can now be completed by phone, email, online or migrated to online,” the report noted.