Thames Centre Council approves fire fees, sets compensation for 2026–2030
Thames Centre Council at its June 29 meeting approved new fees for fire department services and set compensation for the mayor, deputy mayor, and councillors for the 2026–2030 term. The meeting also dealt with zoning applications on Wellburn Road and Elgin Road and adopted a housekeeping amendment for shipping containers.
Zoning decisions
Council approved a zoning change for 23655 Wellburn Road to allow an accessory building and an additional residential unit. A separate application for 2250 Elgin Road was refused. Details on the reasons for the refusal were not included in the agenda summary.
New fire department fees
A new fee schedule for the fire department took effect. The approved fees are:
- $25 for burn permits
- $238 for inspections
- $583.05 per hour for fire department response
The fees apply to services provided by the department.
Council compensation 2026–2030
Council set its own compensation for the 2026–2030 term, with the following annual amounts:
- Mayor: $42,133.61
- Deputy Mayor: $28,819.36
- Councillor: $23,045.70
The compensation schedule was approved as part of the meeting’s business.
Other decisions
A housekeeping zoning amendment to regulate shipping containers was approved. The amendment updates the township’s zoning bylaw to clarify rules around container placement and use.
Proposal for artificial turf at Field of Dreams
Staff presented a proposal to upgrade the infield at the Field of Dreams sports complex with artificial turf. No vote was taken; the matter was introduced for council’s consideration. Further discussion is expected at a future meeting.
Investment agreement
Council approved a new investment agreement with ONE Investment, a program that allows municipalities to pool funds for higher returns. The terms of the agreement were not detailed in the agenda summary.
Coming up
No upcoming council or committee meetings are listed for the next two weeks. The next regular council meeting is expected later in July, though a date has not been published as of July 5. Residents are encouraged to check the township’s website for updates.