CENTRE WELLINGTON – Termites are back on the agenda for Centre Wellington council with staff suggesting the township limit its liability and involvement in any termite management services.
Due to the invasive nature, requirements and duration of proposed termite treatments a report going forward at Monday’s council meeting said Centre Wellington staff are “of the opinion that the township should act as an arms-length participant to the vendor/customer relationship to alleviate any potential future liability.”
Staff are proposing a program to provide a one-time subsidy of up to 85 per cent of the initial exterior treatment up to a maximum of $2,500 per property in the zones identified in a 2020/2021 survey which found hundreds as either having an active infestation or were at risk of one. Staff also suggest extending this program to up to 50 properties outside these identified areas to account for termite migration.
Attempts at putting a dent into the township’s termite issue have been ongoing with negotiations failing to materialize into a program with two different pest control companies.
Most recently council directed staff to enter into discussions with vendors licensed to use a product called Sentricon. The report said the only two vendors licensed to use it in Canada have signed confirmations they are willing to work with the township and provide preferred pricing options.
The vendors will be responsible for engaging with residents and entering into contracts with property owners rather than the township.
The report noted the Sentricon treatments are extensive, require yearly inspections and annual subscription payments with a minimum contract length of five years.
For this program to be effective, the report said vendors recommend at least 60 per cent of the properties identified in the survey be treated.
If council approves this staff recommendation at Monday’s meeting, a formal subsidy program will be presented at a later date.
Full report can be found here.
