Lanark County council remains on track to award a tender to fit three social housing units with natural gas heating.
This was the third request for proposal attempt by the county for the one project. The first RFP was paused by the previous council due to concerns from Climate Network Lanark so alternative heating options could be explored, specifically heat pumps.
After narrowly voting to move forward with the RFP after the delay, they received no bids from contractors in their second attempt.
On Wednesday night (March 22), a motion to defer the recommended tender approval in order to explore the option of heat pumps by Councillor Rob Rainer was defeated.
Warden Peter McLaren said a new report wouldn’t uncover anything different than the one they had staff do last year into the same matter.
Rainer said while he appreciates the “sweat equity” county staff has put in the file, he made the argument the newest bout of councillors haven’t been properly briefed on the matter “to make an informed decision,” adding he’s felt this way about multiple topics that have broached the horseshoe.
Councillor Christa Lowry felt it would be “taking undue risk, and possible negligence,” if they were to delay the replacement further.
Director of Social Services Emily Hollington said there’s been two boiler failures at two of the buildings. One required replacing and the other patching.
Climate activists were on hand hoping for a different outcome.
Scott Hortop told Lake 88 before the meeting they gathered estimates from contractors to retrofit the buildings at a lower cost with heat pumps.
Council awarded the provincially funded $1.4 million tender later that night.
Story by Grant Deme
Comments