File photo of Smiths Falls CAO Malcom Morris
A brief update was provide to Smiths Falls council, the first in months, regarding the heritage water treatment plant.
A fire caused significant damage to the site earlier this year and a decision to demolish or preserve it still has to be made.
CAO Malcom Morris says staff heard from the insurance adjustor last week.
Morris understands the shared frustration due to the process taking longer than originally hoped.
Intact Public Entities will provide a value of claim to demolish and dispose of the site because that’s what the town’s policy covers.
But staff believe and seek to confirm the money could be spent how they see fit, meaning it could also go towards preservation should council go that route.
The last time the matter was in front of council in an official capacity was when the Municipal Heritage Committee made its case for preservation.
In a separate decision last week, council gave the go-ahead to develop a master plan for the revitalization of Centre Street, a move councillor Chris McGuire wasn’t comfortable making before a decision on the water treatment plant was made.
Story by Grant Deme
