Written By Olena Riznyk
LUCAN BIDDULPH – The April 8th council meeting opened with a heartfelt tribute to Deputy Fire Chief Tim Shipley, who retired after nearly 30 years of service. Mayor Cathy Burghardt-Jesson recalled that his first emergency call was the Central Hotel fire and praised his steady leadership as Deputy Chief since 2015. “Tim has kept our community safe, and we are deeply grateful,” she said.
OCWA representatives delivered both the fourth-quarter and 2024 annual wastewater treatment reports for Lucan and Granton. The Lucan plant experienced equipment failure in late 2024, which led to short-term exceedances in ammonia levels. Corrective measures have since stabilized operations. A separate incident in December involved a bypass of partially treated wastewater due to a power failure; it was quickly resolved and reported. The Granton facility, meanwhile, had no issues to report.
Council also heard about an innovative “Game Day” energy program, in which OCWA coordinates generator use during peak demand hours, temporarily taking the facility off-grid. The township is compensated for its participation—a win-win for cost savings and grid stability.
Council formally declared a strip of land on Nicoline Avenue as surplus, opening the door to new development. A request for proposals will be evaluated based not only on price (70%) but also on intended land use and development timeline (30%).
Council also discussed Ontario’s growing energy demands and potential interest in wind energy projects. Although no official proposals have reached the township, staff outlined the lengthy consultation and approval process. “Without municipal support, a wind project cannot proceed,” CAO Ron Reymer emphasized, noting that Lucan Biddulph currently has no formal stance on turbines.
The Parks and Recreation Department introduced several seasonal initiatives. Council approved an earlier pool opening date of June 7 and reinstated a lifeguard training incentive to support staff recruitment. A new partnership with the Lucan Library will allow families to borrow pool passes—an initiative aimed at increasing accessibility.
Council also approved aligning the parks staff clothing allowance with that of public works staff—$500 per year—to reflect the increasing health and safety needs of employees working roadside.
To deter illegal dumping and increase asset protection, council approved the installation of a $6,000 video surveillance system at the public works yard. The cameras will monitor the yard waste site, entry gates, and fuel storage areas. Data will be stored locally, with no monthly monitoring fees.
