By Cecilia Nasmith/Today’s Northumberland
Though Treasurer Adam Giddings said that the proposed daytime warming room on D’Arcy Street in Cobourg could open as early as next week, Cobourg council voted Wednesday night to defer the motion to move on the project in light of a Friday announcement by Northumberland County on plans to extend hours at their warming room.
Prior to a report by Treasurer Adam Giddings, two speakers voiced their objections to the proposed location of the Cobourg warming room in Building 18.
A lady identified only as “Diane” noted that putting the warming room here brings to three the vulnerable populations using the same facility – the homeless, the young people of Northumberland Youth for Christ and the seniors in the Victorian Order of Nurses day programming (many of whom have dementia and cognitive issues).
And both she and the other speaker, Mark Mills, insisted that social services and programming are the responsibility of the County of Northumberland. Mills further cited problems at the current county overnight warming room, including assaults, thefts, vandalism and drug use.
Location has also been an issue with the county warming room in Committee Room A at the county building at 555 Courthouse Rd., as Mayor Lucas Cleveland made it clear that the town would only grant a license under the Emergency Care Establishment bylaw if it was on a county-owned property. And later in the proceedings, Chief Administrative Officer Tracey Vaughan referred to Northumberland County tailoring its approach to homelessness with an eye to “past motions by Cobourg council,” and “making sure theyare ot contravening something this council has put into place.”
Giddings gave a report on some issues that had been worked through with the proposed location on D’Arcy Street – not only in the interests of serving vulnerable individuals, he made clear, but also getting them out of Victoria Hall and ending the disruption they sometimes brought with them.
Building 18 was chosen because it is separated from existing primary municipal operations and is untenanted – two features not found in other municipal properties.
“There’s no version of this that does not require risk mitigation,” Giddings allowed, though he described the fire, alarm and video monitoring features being added to the location.
Pets will be allowed, as long as they are leashed, vaccinated and licensed.
Security arrangements were suggested, with their costings. And its location on the existing bus routes means transportation is available – though drivers may request assistance or escorts.
A dedicated warming room co-ordinator will have to be assigned, Giddings added.
“Capital improvements are permanent upgrades to town-owned assets,” he pointed out. And operational costs will come from the Tax Stabilization Reserve.
Council debated their reservations, largely having to do with location.
And if homeless people hanging around Victoria Hall is a concern, Councillor Adam Bureau wondered, how likely is it that a homeless person will be shown the bus and hop on docilely to be taken away.
Councillor Randy Barber insisted nothing is perfect.
“We are not designing the Taj Mahal, We are taking the opportunity to find a warming room for some vulnerable individuals,” Barber said.
Barber also said it had been his understanding that “all costs were to be set to one side and billed to the county.”
Mayor Lucas Cleveland argued against any delay.
“If and when an overdoes happens at Victoria Hall because of a deferral, this moment will matter,” he warned.
