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www.insideHALTON.com | OAKVILLE BEAVER | Wednesday, January 15, 2014 | 4 Extreme weather leaves Town scrambling to fund cleanup continued from p.1 "It caused real and substantial damage to the property of many of our residents and the Town, with corresponding significant negative financial consequences for all parties." The ice storm brought down tree branches and power lines across town and left 45,000 of Oakville Hydro's 65,000 customers without power at some point during the storm. Last week, Oakville Hydro president and CEO Rob Lister said the utility spent $450,000 in restoring power in town. He estimated the figure will climb by another $100,000 as Oakville Hydro assists with tree clean up. The Oakville Roads and Works Operations Department monitored road conditions around the clock and cleared 1,900 lane kilometres of roads and 900 kilometres of sidewalks as a result of the storm. Approximately 2,300 tons of salt was used to ensure public safety, which Town staff point out is five times the normal amount used during a storm. Enrico Scalera, who heads up the Town's Roads and Works Operations, has estimated that department spent $300,000 because of the storm and ongoing brush pick-up is expected to cost an additional $100,000. Town director of Parks and Open Space Chris Mark said the full cost of the storm will not be known until all active parkland, trails and woodlots have been inspected. Forestry work to date is estimated to have cost the Town $325,000. The ODRAP program looks at the financial capacity of the municipality to respond and cope with significant emergency events. December's ice storm wreaked havoc on Oakville's trees. Municipal parks and trails remain closed and many properTown staff noted that while the Town is fi- ties sustained damage. Here, the scene at Fourth Line and Bridge Road during the storm. | Oakville Beaver file photo nancially sound and does have reserves set aside for emergencies, recent extreme weather events, it is hoped that the Province will recognize the such as the ice storm and a windstorm last sum- need to modify the program to respond to critical mer, have placed a heavy burden on the budget. weather-related emergencies such as this." Real Estate Right now, the Town hasn't determined where A provincial report on ODRAP guidelines Formula Media it will get the money for the cleanup. states financial assistance is provided within a Nancy Festarini, Royal LePage National Sports "Traditionally, municipalities such as ours declared disaster area to restore damaged public Staples have not qualified for funding under the disaster infrastructure and/or private property to pre-diSport Chek relief program as it is felt we have the resources to saster conditions -- when the cost of restoration 15 cope," reported Nancy Sully, the Town's deputy exceeds the financial capacity of the affected indi18 *All flyers not necessarily delivered to all homes treasurer and director of financial planning. viduals, municipality and community-at-large. "However, with the increasing number of The report states ODRAP is not a substitute for extreme weather events occurring and the im- adequate insurance coverage and does not propact they have on larger urban municipalities, vide full cost-recovery. call 905-631-6095, 5300 Harvester Rd., Burlington inside today's Editorial Sports Beaver www.insideHALTON.com 6 16 Artscene Classified For home delivery & customer service New subscriptions call 905-631-6095 or subscribe online @ www.oakvillebeaver.com