BY KEITH LACEY
The free ride appears over for contractors, business owners and homeowners who used to be able to access municipal fire hydrants without paying a penny.
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City staff is recommending only municipal employees working on the jobÂ?specifically firefighters and waterworks staffÂ?have access to use municipal fire hydrants. The report recommends the city implement a permit and user-fee system to allow the use of municipal fire hydrants by other persons trained, equipped and approved by the city to operate fire hydrants.
The issue will be discussed at tonightÂ?s priority committee meeting.
Â?As things stand now contractors would use for free designated fire hydrants if approved by city management,Â? said Don Belisle, general manager of public works for the City of Greater Sudbury.
Â?The new staff recommendation is to charge for all use of these same designated fire hydrants.Â?
Councillor Ron Dupuis asked staff to prepare a report several weeks ago about ways to generate some revenue and ensure the city has full control of all fire hydrants, said Belisle.
Â?The new fee structure will generate some revenue, but the most important part was to ensure the city had full control over who uses and accesses these fire hydrants,Â? said Belisle. Â?These things cost about $5,000 each and we had many, too many people using them for freeÂ?thatÂ?s something Dupuis wanted changed and this report provides some options for council to consider.Â?
Belisle said itÂ?s not unusual for certain members of the public, who know how to use certain tools, to hook up to a nearby municipal fire hydrant and fill up their backyard swimming pool.
Â?ItÂ?s not supposed to happen, but no itÂ?s not unusual for that scenario to take place,Â? said Belisle. Â?This is all about the city controlling an important asset.Â?
In compiling the report, staff conducted a survey of different municipalities to determine their practices on the use of fire hydrants by private contractors.
Access to municipally-treated water from fire hydrants is strictly controlled across the province. Contractors are required to pay for the water they extract, says the report.
Only firefighters and waterworks staff or contractors who have paid required fees and have proper training and equipment may operate hydrants, said Belisle.
Staff are recommending council adopt a bylaw, effective Nov. 1, that the city authorize the use of fire hydrants by private individuals or contractors who are properly trained in the operation of hydrants and use the necessary equipment to control valves required to operate the hydrants.
The staff report also recommends users must obtain necessary city permits and will have to pay $56 per day for single use, $450 for seasonal use or $950 for year-round use.
