Bluewater Council briefs

By Dan Rolph

Pumper tanker purchased for Bayfield

The tender for the purchase of a new pumper tanker with pump and roll capabilities for the Bayfield fire station was awarded to Camions Carl Thibault Inc. for $681,151, excluding HST.

The new pumper truck will replace the current 2003 pumper that is stationed in Bayfield.

The Camions Carl Thibault bid was the lowest of four bids received for the tender, with the highest bid coming in over $1 million.

Council earmarked $760,000 in the 2026 budget for the purchase of a pumper tanker truck, bringing the purchase below budget.

In a report to council, fire chief Dave Erb wrote that the surplus could be used to purchase a fire hose for about $24,000.

Fire department activity

Bluewater’s fire department responded to 22 calls during the first quarter of 2026.

The Zurich and Hensall stations were the busiest in the municipality, each responding to six calls. Zurich responded to two fires, one false alarm, one rescue and two other calls. Hensall responded to one fire, one false alarm, one rescue and three other calls.

Stations in Bayfield and Brucefield each responded to five calls. Bayfield was on the scene for one fire, two false alarms and two rescues. Brucefield responded to two false alarms, two rescues and a medical call.

The department also issued 29 controlled burn permits throughout the period.

Municipal garden planting policy adopted

A new bylaw that lays out a strategy for the planting of native perennial species in Bluewater’s flower beds has been approved by council.

The policy prioritizes native and pollinator-friendly plant species where they are considered practical while prohibiting the planting of invasive species in the flower beds maintained by the municipality.

However, the policy does not apply to existing plantings and will be rolled out over time through routine maintenance and replacements.

Facilities manager Maggie Off said in cases where volunteers maintain municipally owned garden beds, the municipality would try to ensure plants were native species but that they would consider permitting non-native species if they were requested.

Bluewater maintains 41 garden beds, seven rain gardens and 77 flower planters.

Nathan Latta appointed as deputy chief building official

Council appointed Nathan Latta as Bluewater’s new deputy chief building official.

Latta has been with the development services team since 2018, and development services manager Aaron Stewardson said his appointment would support the continuity of operations within the department.

Mayor Paul Klopp congratulated Latta on his new position.

“We look forward to working together as always,” he said.