Brighton Council held its final meeting before the new council is sworn in in December. Council members, from left, Deputy Mayor Roger McMurray, Mayor Mark Walas, and Councillor John Martinello were presented with local framed prints in appreciation of their service to the municipality over the past four years. Councillor Steve Baker was absent.
Joyce Cassin photo
Mayor elect already on notice
Mayor Elect Brian Ostrander has yet to take office, and he already has an Integrity Commissioner complaint filed against him.
Local resident Tom Conolly, who owns the former Wain’s Greenhouses on Ontario Street, claims Ostrander shared confidential information amongst his council-elect members before they were even sworn in.
Conolly says the information involved his financial claim for damages against the municipality as well as other issues.
Ostrander shared closed session minutes with unsworn-in members of council, he said.
Conolly said Ostrander overstepped his bounds.
When asked, Ostrander defended his actions, saying he worked with staff regarding the email in question, and was under the assumption the information was to be treated as confidential, and he was going to continue to treat it that way.
Ostrander added that he did not release the minutes.
I provided information about potential litigation in confidence… information that was released last (Monday) night during citizens comment by the citizen complaining, he said.
Neither Ostrander nor Conolly revealed which council-elect member was the one who allegedly breached that confidentiality.
Conolly said the complaint will not be investigated until the new council has been sworn in.
Public Works staffer resigns
A new council isn’t enough to keep Brighton’s Capital Infrastructure manager Lucas Kelly on the payroll.
Kelly announced his resignation after the Monday night council meeting following the public comment by Conolly.
Kelly says his official last day is December 14, although he has vacation days to take prior.
Kelly is the 17th staff member to leave the municipality in the past two-and-a-half years.
YMCA lease on hold
A clause in the Brighton Y lease document had some council members scratching their heads.
The clause in question allows lease for the next five years, as well as the option to renew for two more five year terms.
Deputy Mayor Roger McMurray said he doesn’t like a clause that ties the hands of future councils.
Ostrander agreed, and asked that the matter be referred back to staff.
The matter was deferred.
