Local municipal councils are dealing with the future today, because- after all, it’s 2024 already!
In a Province poised to chase down its share of electric vehicle battery manufacturing capacity, today’s municipal agenda requires new decisions.
Arnprior Engineering Officer Patrick Foley presented Town Council with one such opportunity January 29th.
He recommended Arnprior go after funds from the Province’s EV ChargeON Program, and subsidize any such allocation with 40k of Town money.
Discussion around the table ensued as to power consumption, charging capacities and speeds, and the ethics or politics of whether taxpayer money from the Capital Expenditure Reserve Fund should cover the 40k subsidy.
Elected representatives appreciated the plugged-in observations of Councillor Chris Couper, who says his community should not enter head-to-head competition with Renfrew’s plan.
Couper believes the Level Two option would encourage itinerant travellers to do some local shopping.
The extensive range of options presented left members’ minds on information overload.
Elected representatives pressed “pause” on the current opportunity, but will revisit the matter within the coming two years.
By Rick Stow
