CENTRE WELLINGTON – A staff report to be presented at Centre Wellington’s council meeting on Monday is once again seeking councils direction on how to deal with termites.
The report includes two options for council to choose regarding termite control.
The first option would see the township continue with a passive approach to termites, including a focus on public education with periodic termite surveys. The report states continuing with the passive approach requires no additional staffing or financial resources.
The second option includes a proactive termite management aimed at a significant reduction in the termite population.
Should council direct staff to go with the second option, staff are suggesting the township issue a negotiated Request for Proposal to initiate a proactive termite management program.
“This will allow the Township to outline the existing problem and allow vendors to propose the solution they believe will be best suited to address the problem. Submitted proposals would be evaluated by staff and the proposals from the preferred vendor as well as a recommendation for award provided to Council for consideration.” the report said.
Staff are also proposing there to be a project milestone off-ramps and service level agreements clearly defined to ensure the township is safeguarded against long-term project expenditures if expected results are not being satisfied.
Staff warn that taking this proactive approach to termite management, aimed at significantly reducing the termite population, would be costly.
In the past the township has tried addressing termite control, in August of last year the last term of council approved entering into negotiations with Balson Preventative Solutions Inc. at an upset limit of $200,000.
The work was to start last fall but an agreement could not be reached between the township and pest control company and no action was taken.
A report was also tabled with the January 2023 Council agenda recommending that Council adopt a grant program to assist in funding termite treatment on private property. Consideration of the January 2023 report was deferred when the Township received correspondence in opposition to the recommended grant program, with concerns that a grant program may not adequately address the termite problem
Council will be presented with the two new options on Monday.
You can read the full report here.
