As the OPP debate in West Nipissing moves to the next stage, several councillors and Mayor Joanne Savage have questions about what’s to come.
Savage is especially concerned about the suitability of the OPP temporary building on John Street while a new detachment is built in Cache Bay.
Savage told council and staff the minister under the former Liberal government indicated the temporary building would not house administrative staff and there was even a question on whether it was suitable for officers in some circumstances.
“Is it correct that the site will not be suitable for officers depending on the type of crime scene or depending on the calls that they may do that they’re going to have to leave the premises and either go to North Bay or go to another location,” Savage said.
As an example, Savage pointed to an instance of a police officer having blood on him as the result of an investigation.
She wondered where that officer would be able to shower afterward.
Savage also had concerns whether the public would be able to access the temporary building the way residents can enter the municipal police building.
To both points, CAO Jay Barbeau said he couldn’t speak on behalf of the OPP but added at some point the Mayor’s questions would need to be answered.
Councillor Lise Senecal also expressed concerns saying there were still many unknowns about the transition like what the household cost would amount.
However considering the earliest that the OPP can take over policing in West Nipissing is June, Senecal said there was time to get answers.
The transition is moving ahead after the West Nipissing Police Services Board decided not to appeal a judge’s ruling where the board questioned the previous council’s process to replace the municipal police with the OPP.
The OPP building in Cache Bay will cost about $8-million with the province picking up 48 percent of the cost.
Council heard the municipality’s share will be spread over 30 years.
Because not everyone will transition to the OPP, severance will need to be paid out.
One of the Mayor’s additional concerns is that as the municipality dips into its reserve fund to pay for the costs associated with the transition, what happens when other pressing matters arise that also require reserve funds.
Savage said council still needs to deal with costs associated with the Verner Municipal Building which was deemed unsafe last year and is being repaired.
In this instance, she says the building will need a $400,000 investment from council.
She adds there are treatment plant issues in Field that will need addressing plus at some point the municipality faces a levy increase from the Nipissing DSSAB and there’s work to be done at the Au Chateau.
Currently, the municipality’s reserve fund sits at $2.7 million.