Civil and Municipal - Jan 22

86 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 3, ISSUE 1 situation because our residents have access to everything.” Several municipalities within the county formed The Building Inspection Services Board (BISB), which is a joint building department covering six municipalities. “It’s a user paid system,” says Hearns. “You buy a building permit and pay for the services of the Chief Building Official (CBO) as well as two building inspectors. No money is collected through the municipal tax levy.” The Stirling-Rawdon and the Municipality of Tweed have a Joint Fire Service Board to assist with Administration of each Fire Department and specifically covers the costs for the Fire Chief and the Fire Prevention Officer. Both Stirling-Rawdon and Tweed still maintain their own fire halls and volunteer firefighters through their individual budgets. Stirling-Rawdon has been chosen as the new location for the Hastings-Quinte Paramedic Base, which is scheduled to be completed in 2023. This is a big milestone for the community as it will decrease ambulance response times, as well as create more permanent jobs. Unlike its Fire Department, Stirling-Rawdon didn’t share its Police Services. In fact, the Township was known for having the province’s smallest police force with just eight officers and one chief. This changed in October 2017, when services switched to the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP). “When we made this choice, it was because our police force was expected to provide the same services as the OPP,” says Hearns. “The difference was our police department was only funded by our 5,000 ratepayers. By going OPP the costs are shared across the Province, therefore, we choose to go OPP. Stirling-Rawdon is now on a 5.1 integrated service contract which has reduced our policing costs. It’s been a transition for our residents, but we’re adapting. We’re still a safe community.” Maintaining infrastructure also helps keep Stirling-Rawdon safe. Updating the George