SUMMERSIDE – Three city councillors have voiced opposition to forming a contract with Honeywell, but Summerside City Council has still has yet to make a final decision.
At Monday’s regular city council meeting, councillors were faced with a resolution where the city will work to implement $3.6 million worth of capital improvements.
Coun. Tyler DesRoches immediately opposed the resolution, saying he had many concerns.
“I touched on them when we first talked about this. I’m just not comfortable with the whole idea of it. I understand the concept, I understand switching over to save money, but there are a lot of ‘ifs’ and ‘ands’ with this contract.
“One includes upgrades to the fire hall. We’re going to sink a bunch of money into the hall for upgrades that have a 15-year return. Councillor Gallant has told us numerous times that fire hall isn’t going to be there in 15 years, that we need a new one. So are we throwing money away?”
DesRoches also brought up the street lighting project, saying it is the major cash cow of the deal. After the meeting, he elaborated.
“The street lighting is 30 per cent of the project and a four-year return on investment. It’s the cash cow. Take the streetlights out, and would we still go for it? I personally wouldn’t.”
DesRoches thinks other councillors and staff have the same concerns.
“There are some who are questioning it. It does make great sense, and the project will pay itself off in nine years, but I just don’t like paying for something we’ve started.”
This isn’t the first time the Honeywell decision has been postponed. It was put off until a later date in November in order for city staff to discuss more with Honeywell to determine if all of the improvements were vital and clear up any misunderstandings.
“It concerned costs that were quoted by Honeywell that regarded to measurement and verification and project development and engineering. Financial and municipal services had some back and forth conversations with Honeywell and it was conveyed to us that based on the percentages quoted to us they were acceptable in the industry.
“We still feel this is a project worth pursuing,” said chief financial officer Rob Philpott.
Councillors Gordie Whitlock and Brent Gallant said during discussion they could not support the resolution.
Coun. Bruce MacDougall also said he couldn’t support the resolution, but he motioned that the decision be moved to another date.
It was approved five to three.
“I was looking for more information, and I think we all thought there would be more coming before tonight’s meeting.
“I don’t think we were ready to make a conscious decision tonight. I think it’s better served if we take another month to get more answers. If we had voted, it may have been defeated prematurely or approved prematurely. This way we’re giving it some sober second thought.”
