Image

Petrolia/Enniskillen fire agreement questioned

March 13, 2023

Blake Ellis/Local Journalism Initiative

Enniskillen may spend 10 per cent more on fire protection in 2023.

But at least one municipal councillor says the township is paying more than its fair share for the Petrolia/North Enniskillen department.

Council reviewed the fire budget March 6. Clerk/Treasurer Duncan McTavish is recommending council raise increase spending from $500,000 to $550,000 to allow the municipality build up its reserves in preparation for more equipment and vehicle replacements in the coming years.

Enniskillen contributes to two fire budgets. At the Enniskillen/Oil Springs department, the township will be paying $18,180 more in 2023 contributing $131,703 to the cost of running the department.

The township is also drawing over $402,000 from reserves to pay for its portion of a pumper truck in Oil Springs delivered in January.

This year, Enniskillen will pay $70,800 for capital projects at the Petrolia/North Enniskillen department. The department is hoping to build an accessible washroom with showers on the ground floor of the fire hall.

Councillor Wally Van Dun, one of the township’s representatives on the fire board, says four years ago the washroom was expected to cost $30,000. The estimated cost has now doubled. Van Dun says if the tender turns out to be more than $60,000, its likely the fire committee will scrap the plan for now.

While the capital costs are on the low side this year, McTavish says a big ask is on the way.

McTavish said the Petrolia Fire Chief Jay Arns at the Feb. 28 meeting also argued for the purchase of a $1.3 million combined tanker-pumper. The current pumper truck is slated for replacement in 2025.

The committee asked him to put his idea in writing for its review.
With a deficit of between $48,000 and $72,000 anticipated in the fire department reserves at the end of 2023, due to capital expenditures approved by both departments, council agreed to add another $50,000 to the fire budget to place into reserves.

Meantime, Councillor Judy Krall, who is the chair of the fire board in Petrolia/North Enniskillen, says the cost sharing agreement with Petrolia should be reviewed.

Right now, Enniskillen pays 40 per cent of all costs at the department but Krall’s calculations show over the past eight years, Enniskillen generates between 23 and 32 per cent of the fire calls.

In 2022, only 29 per cent of the calls originated in the township.
Krall – who has raised the issue in 2019 only to be shut down – points out Petrolia’s population and tax base is growing. From 2016 to 2021, Petrolia’s population grew by 271 people. Enniskillen’s decreased by 29.

With 8,838 people in the two municipalities, 68 per cent of live in the town limits.

Mayor Kevin Marriott added false alarms at Lambton Meadowview Villa – which is in Enniskillen – may also be inflating the number of calls in the township.
Krall hopes to raise the issue again at the fire board to prompt a review of the cost sharing agreement.

The Local Journalism Initiative supports the creation of original civic journalism that covers the diverse needs of underserved communities across Canada.

Share This

Image
Front Page

Greenhill Gardens closed; upkeep of six-acre garden ‘challenging’

June 16, 2025

The Independent Greenhill Gardens – a once privately-owned oasis in Wilkesport – is closed to the public. That from the St. Clair Region Conservation Foundation which took over the grounds in 2024. The gardens were cultivated by Joy Robson for years and her husband, Bill, allowed people to come and walk through the gardens for free. After the death of

Read More

Image
Front Page

Thedford EMS changes years away

June 15, 2025

The Independent Thedford residents won’t be losing their ambulance station for some time. That from Lambton County officials. Last month, Lambton Shores councillors voiced concern about a county plan which would close the Thedford station and have Forest paramedics to cover their calls. Lambton EMS also plans to move the Grand Bend station near Pinery Park hoping to provide better

Read More

Image
Front Page

No ATV rally for Petrolia Ag Society

June 15, 2025

The Independent There will not be ATVs rumbling through Petrolia this summer. Kelly Humphrey of the Petrolia Enniskillen Agricultural Society came to council in mid-May asking if PEAS could host an ATV rally with Greenwood Park as a starting and finishing point and using Petrolia streets to get to the starting and finishing point.  Julie Bullock, director of parks and

Read More

Image
Front Page

Fair banner may not fly

June 14, 2025

The Independent The Moore Agricultural Society has some big plans for the 175th anniversary of the Brigden Fair. But not all of their plans may work out. The ag society has asked for and received several approvals from St. Clair Township council for special events at the landmark fair including allowing a low-level Canadian Armed Forces Flyby and helicopter landings

Read More