‘Inappropriate’ to phone a friend

By Kate Taylor

The heavy machinery is ready, the operators are waiting… but there weren’t enough councillors to finish off the paperwork before a Bacchus Marsh job could be done.

Council intended to officially transfer part of a Council reserve to Bellevue Tops, within which the land already falls, in exchange for land that is currently used as a road.

The exchange involves a walkway to be built by Bellevue Tops, along with other works – but none of it can begin until councillors officially sign off on the deal.

The matter went before the September 4 council meeting, with a report recommending that councillors officially approve the motion before them which was to give four weeks public notice before the exchange was to take place – in line with regulations.

West Ward Councillor Tom Sullivan had flagged before the meeting that he had a conflict of interest in the matter, as he has worked as a surveyor for one of the parties involved and he left the chamber before the debate on the item began.

However, it was then that East Ward Councillor John Keogh noted that he has worked with one of the contractors for Bellevue Tops and that he also would excuse himself from the item because of the conflict of interest.

Mayor Tatchell said that not enough councillors were left to make a decision, as a quorum of four councillors is required for any vote – Councillor Pat Toohey was not at the meeting, which had been held just three weeks before he passed away. East Ward Councillor Jarrod Bingham was also absent from the meeting, citing ‘personal reasons.’

East Ward Councillor Tonia Dudzik asked twice if they could ‘ring a councillor up’ so that there would be enough to make a decision.

“I don’t think that’s appropriate,” Mayor Tatchell pointed out.

Mayor Tatchell apologised to the applicant, Hugh McMaster, saying that the matter would have to be deferred until the next council meeting when there would be enough councillors to form a quorum and make a decision.