KENSINGTON, P.E.I. — The Town of Kensington is sticking to its user fees for recreational facilities following an inquiry from a minor sports organization.
Town council approved the fee structures in the spring that include charges of $75 per day per field for ball tournaments.
Mayor Rowan Caseley recently received a letter from the Kensington Area Minor Baseball Association (KAMBA) asking the town to consider waving the tournament fees. The letter said KAMBA already pays for field rentals during the summer, and a recent under-11 jamboree brought six teams into the community which, it is hoped, resulted in spin-offs for local businesses.
Geoff Baker, chief administrative officer for the Town of Kensington, said the charge for the tournament was $225.
Caseley told the regular monthly council meeting on Monday night that all user groups of the ballfields, which are located behind Credit Union Centre, were informed of the fee changes following council’s approval.
“We put a lot of work into the rate structure and we don’t want to deviate from the rate structure the first time we get a letter,” said Coun. Jeff Spencer during Monday night’s regular monthly town council meeting.
Coun. Ivan Gallant agreed with Spencer.
Deputy Mayor Coreen Pickering asked if there was a paper trail of the correspondence between the town and minor ball association. Baker said he was unsure how the extra fees were communicated, but he did note a lot of bookings take place over the phone. Pickering asked, going forward, if communication like this could be done through email.
Coun. Wade Toombs made a motion for council to stick to the current rate structure. Gallant seconded the motion, and it passed unanimously.
First reading
Council approved the first reading of a Development Control Bylaw amendment that will allow the placement of three accessory structures on a property that is three acres in size or greater.
The current bylaw states a maximum of two buildings per property is permitted.
“Regardless of the property size, under the current bylaw, you can have a maximum of two accessory structures on any property,” said Baker. “We are suggesting that properties that are three acres in size or larger that a third accessory structure may be permitted.”
A public meeting was held on Aug. 27 in accordance with the Planning Act and the Town’s Development Control Bylaw.
The second reading and formal adoption will take place at the monthly meeting on Oct. 13.
“Once council gives its second reading and formal adoption, we have to send it to the (Fisheries and Communities Minister Jamie Fox) and then he ultimately is the one with the authority to amend the bylaw.”
At a glance
Here are some briefs from Kensington town council’s regular monthly meeting on Sept. 14:
- Kensington Police Service responded to 92 incidents in July, including nine calls for municipal bylaws. The fine revenue for the month was $769. The department put in five hours of foot patrol.
- The Kensington Fire Department responded to 10 calls in July, including five motor vehicle collisions. It did stand down from two of the 10 calls, and the average attendance was 12 firefighters.
- Council voted unanimously to purchase three self-contained breathing apparatus for the fire department. The contract for $28,265.79 was awarded to T&K Fire Equipment Ltd. The source of funding is the 2020-21 Fire Department Capital Budget.
- Council voted unanimously to adjust the boundary lines at each of the two properties at 23 Broadway South to bring the property in compliance with the town bylaw.
- “The original configuration of the property, one property was completely surrounded by another, so it actually had no frontage onto the street,” said Town of Kensington’s chief administrative officer, Geoff Baker.
- Council voted unanimously to approve a request from Katherine MacLennan to operate a home-based hair salon at 2 Imperial St. This was subject to full compliance with the Town of Kensington’s Development Control Bylaw.
- The EVK Memorial Pool closed for the season on Aug. 28. Talks are ongoing for the most appropriate way to winterize the pool.
- The ice is being installed at Credit Union Centre this week in preparation for opening on Sept. 21. Facility manager Robert Wood has submitted a proposed operational plan to the Chief Public Health Office and is waiting to hear back on the numbers the arena can accommodate.
- Coun. Ivan Gallant paid tribute to former town employee Enid Chappell, who died suddenly last week. Chappell worked as a cleaner at the town hall and the Kensington Medical Centre for close to 30 years.
“She was a very dedicated employee and she took great pride in her work,” said Gallant. - Coun. Jeff Spencer asked if the town has given any consideration to what will or not be permitted for Halloween. Baker said the town will follow the advice of P.E.I.’s Chief Public Health Office.
