Beres is new LPRCA chair

Jeff Helsdon, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Tillsonburg Deputy Mayor Dave Beres is the new chair of the Long Point Region Conservation Authority board.

Beres, who has been the Tillsonburg representative on the board the past 15 years, was selected as the chair at the Jan. 8 meeting. He was previously the vice-chair. Norfolk councillor Doug Brunton replaces him as the new vice-chair. The local authority covers the Long Point watershed and has representatives on the board from Norfolk County, Brant County, Township of Norwich, Town of Tillsonburg, Township of South-West Oxford, Municipality of Bayham and Haldimand County.

“I don’t see any major changes, things are running quite well,” Beres said of his ambitions for the coming year with the authority.

The conservation authority board also passed a $6.9 million budget at its Jan. 8 meeting. Of this, $2.5 million is from a municipal levy and the other 64 per cent is self-generated revenue from the sale of lumber, parks and fees. The municipal levy increased by three per cent, or the cost of living.

“With all the environmental concerns going on today, we want to ensure we have a healthy watershed with climate change,” Beres said. “We also want to encourage cottage life along the lakeshore.”

Beres also sits on the board of Conservation Ontario, the body with representation from all conservation authorities in the province.