BELWOOD – In a report prepared by Centre Wellington’s Chief Administrative Officer (CAO), Dan Wilson, staff are recommending the Township to renew the existing lease for the Public Works garage on Wellington Road 19, which currently contains Belwood’s Canada Post office.
The report said the postmaster, Lora McFadden, is retiring later this year and is terminating the existing lease on the first day of October.
In 2022 the previous post office property burnt to the ground in an overnight fire; in 2023 McFadden came to a lease agreement with the Township to use a portion of the property located on 8460 Wellington Rd 19 for post office operations.
Town staff said they plan to discuss with Canada Post about having a continued mail service in the community of Belwood.
In regards to the rent the report said the lease agreement will be viewed as a public service, and as such, the lease payments have been established below market rates.
The report also said a new lease would be “substantially the same form as the existing lease,” which sees an annual rent of $7,200 plus HST, to be paid in monthly installments of $600 plus HST.
According to the lease agreement either party is able to terminate the contract if they deliver a written notice at least 60 days before the termination date to the other participating party.
The initial agreement would have naturally expired in 2028.
The recommendation will be brought to tomorrow’s Special Council, scheduled for 3:00 p.m.
