Essa protests high Conservation Authority charges
by Richard Blanchard

Essa township has renewed its battle against a plan by the Nottawasaga Conservation Authority to levy fees for building projects which will, in some cases, exceed the fees levied by local municipalities.

As council reviewed the proposed schedule of fees, councillor Rick Newlove said that he felt the proposed charges were out of line.

"Another $200 charge to construct a deck on your house. This is crazy. Its just simply double dipping," he said.

"I hope that this is revisited by the NVCA's new board. Its simply ridiculous to see people faced with $400 or $500 fees to build a new deck. Its just going to encourage people to build structures without a permit,"

Township mayor Dave Guergis said that he noticed that entire community of Angus would be subject to these additional fees from the NVCA.

"Even if your property is a half mile away from the nearest body of water. The NVCA has just gone revenue crazy," he said.

Council agreed to send a letter to the NVCA protesting the charges. It also supported a motion form the township of Mulmur which opposes the increases.