BC Hydro did not do an adequate job of educating the public as to the Smart Meters they are currently installing.
That is the message mayor and council had to share, following an impassioned anti-Smart Meter presentation by Mesachie Lake resident Mary Lowther.
“I’m a little concerned that BC Hydro is dumping this on us without educating us,” mayor Ross Forrest said.
“I think they should have started this off by sitting down with each municipality,” councillor Tim McGonigle said, in agreement. “I think it’s prudent to investigate all angles, both good and bad.”
During her presentation, Lowther outlined several concerns around Smart Meters, including the potential for increased monthly billing; security, in that the Smart Meters can be hacked into; and radio frequencies, which she said BC Hydro may be understating the significance of.
“Even if the radiation level was small, it would still be detrimental to our health,” she said. “Which straw will break the camel’s back?”
Councillor Bob Day then inquired about the town’s water meters, and whether or not the radiation from them is significant enough to raise alarms. Mayor Ross Forrest responded by stating that they send signals only once every six months, and shouldn’t be of concern, compared to the much more frequently-emitting Smart Meters.
Council hopes to meet with BC Hydro representatives to further discuss the Smart Meters.
So far, in addition to the Town of Lake Cowichan, Lowther has gained the support of the Cowichan Valley Regional District Cowichan Lake South/Skutz Falls Advisory Planning Commission. She plans on visiting the Cowichan Valley Regional District’s Tuesday, July 5, Electoral Area Services committee meeting to garner their support.
Official Community Plan
Mayor and council are looking forward to the nearly-completed Official Community Plan (OCP)
“This is the future of our community,” councillor Tim McGonigle said. “I’ve been dealing with it for three terms and I’d like to see it done.”
“I would like to see the OCP finalized by the November election,” mayor Ross Forrest said.
Although the OCP is nearing completion, a number of things still need finalization.
One of the more controversial items has been the idea of animal husbandry; specifically, the raising of backyard chickens.
The town’s Advisory Planning Commission has been unable to make a decision on the issue, and are interested in holding a public referendum on the topic.
“I would support a referendum on animal husbandry,” councillor Tim McGonigle said.
Council voted on the referendum question, which ended up 4-1 in favour, with councillor Bob Day opposed.
“It needs a lot more discussion,” he explained.
The Advisory Planning Commission will decide on the question’s wording.
Another issue that needs addressing is F-1 zoning.
Lake Cowichan Ratepayers Association representative Rod Peters sent a letter in to council requesting a review of the proposed changes to the town’s F-1 zoning, in relation to the J.H. Boyd property and Palsson Elementary School.
“There is some discomfort with the plan,” the town’s chief administrative officer Joseph Fernandez said. “There are some changes.”
The issue has been dealt with thus far by the town’s Advisory Planning Commission, wherein a proposed change has the properties in question included within a Comprehensive Development-1 zone.
“I think our best option will be to meet with them,” mayor Ross Forrest said.
Street vending policy
Mayor and council unanimously agreed to put a street vending policy on hold until next year.
“It may be a bit late in the year to implement this. You may want to wait until 2012,” the town’s chief administrative officer Joseph Fernandez suggested, to council’s agreement.
The policy will be brought up again in December of this year, to get it finalized, if council chooses to do so, in time for the beginning of 2012.
