Written By David Gomez, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
ADELAIDE METCALFE - Council met on September 15 to review two staff reports that addressed matters with financial implications for both the township and local residents: development charges for farm labour residences and a new fire department standby fee.
Mayor Sue Clarke opened the discussion by noting that the issue of development charges (DCs) for farm worker housing had first come to council in July when a letter from Advan Broilers Ltd. was received. “When it was first brought to our attention, it was one property, but we felt that we wanted a fulsome report, not specific to that, but how it could be applied, or what it would look like across our municipality, not on a one-off basis,” Clarke said.
Treasurer Johnny Pereira outlined the staff report, which examined the application of DCs to a farm labour residence and presented council with four options. He explained that under the township’s current by-law, three exemptions exist, but none apply to this type of housing. Consultants Watson and Associates confirmed that development charges are applicable. “At the request of council, staff did work with Watson and Associates to outline a number of options available for council’s consideration,” Pereira said.
The first option would be to amend the by-law, at a cost of between $2,000 and $3,000, to add a specific exemption. A second option would establish a grant relief program through the Community Improvement Plan, though Pereira cautioned that updating the plan would cost close to $8,000 and may not be efficient for a single purpose. A third possibility involved creating an agricultural or rural-specific development charge rate, which would require a full background study at an estimated cost of $33,000. The final option was to leave the by-law unchanged, ensuring charges continue to apply to such residences.
Several councillors expressed concern about the financial impact on farmers. Councillor Mike Brodie said he found the charges “excessive,” pointing out that the farm labour residence in question was not connected to municipal services. “The migrant workers might not even have a license to drive on these roads. This is totally for workers. I think the number is insane myself,” he said.
Councillor Garett Kingma supported a by-law amendment but suggested it should not be a full exemption. “I would like Watson and Associates to study the matter, come up with an airtight definition of an agricultural worker residence, and maybe they can even propose what kind of reduction,” he said. Councillor Betty Ann MacKinnon raised the idea of working with the Municipal Property Assessment Corporation to determine whether such residences could be classified differently for tax purposes, depending on whether they were seasonal or year-round.
After discussion, council agreed to refer the matter to the 2026 budget process, with Mayor Clarke adding she would raise the issue with other municipal leaders in Middlesex County to determine whether a consistent approach could be taken.
Council then turned to a second report concerning fees and charges. Treasurer Pereira recommended adding a new fire department standby fee of $800 per hour per apparatus. This charge would apply when fire crews and vehicles are required to be on-site at events or situations such as accidents on Highway 402. “The standby charge is a fee charged when a business or special event requires the fire department and its firefighters to be present and ready to respond to a potential incident,” Pereira explained. “The fee ensures that costs are being recovered by the company requesting assistance instead of the general tax base.”
Councillor Kingma asked whether formal agreements should be established with event organizers to set expectations, particularly around the possibility that firefighters might be called away to an emergency. Clarke noted the idea originated from long-duration incidents on the highway where costs were not being recovered. CAO Morgan Calvert added that the township already has authority under the Fire Protection and Prevention Act and could consult further with the fire chief about communication and dispatch protocols.
Council unanimously approved the by-law amendment to add the standby fee, ensuring the township can recover costs in future situations where fire services are placed on standby.
