Tillsonburg council grapples with red tape of volunteer help

Jeff Helsdon, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

A discussion at Tillsonburg council on removing grape vines along the Trans-Canada Trail morphed into a larger debate on the red tape associated with volunteer assistance.

Council reviewed a recommendation from the Parks, Beautification and Cemeteries Committee at its Nov. 14 meeting to remove grape vines along the stretch of the trail between Quarter Line and Tillson Ave. The staff recommendation was to reject the request, saying the committee recommendation that a committee member with a pesticide license deal with the issue wasn’t possible and it was at least $200 an hour to pay a licensed operator to complete the work.

After Mayor Deb Gilvesy asked about committee member Paul DeCloet, who has a pesticide license, doing the work, Director of Recreation, Culture, and Parks Andrea Greenway said there is no insurance when a volunteer does the job and the town doesn’t have anyone on staff with a pesticide license. Gilvesy questioned why there wasn’t any staff with a pesticide license.

Coun. Pete Luciani, who is on the committee, said the grape vines must be removed to allow other native vegetation to take off.

“If we are going to clean up the trail at all, this has to go forward,” he said.

Luciani pointed out DeCloet has done extensive work on the trail, including planting trees.

“If we aren’t letting him do this, maybe we shouldn’t let him plant trees,” he said. “It doesn’t make sense we have individuals in town willing to put their expertise forward and we shut them down.”

Gilvesy asked what the difference is with the Tillsonburg Horticultural Society working on flower gardens in town, as they are not a paid contractor and don’t have insurance. Greenway said the town has an agreement with them, and they aren’t handling chemicals.

Coun. Chris Parker also said if a volunteer is willing to volunteer, council should find a way to let them. He suggested referring the motion back to staff to look at it further.

“I hate to see a volunteer willing to work in the community and improve the beautification of our trails not be able to do it,” he said.

Gilvesy noted that service clubs also have issues when they are willing to provide volunteer labour or financial backing for an initiative.

“We need to find workarounds for this,” she said.

Luciani suggested perhaps the solution is for DeCloet to join the horticulture society. Council referred the issue to the committee to secure a vendor with the necessary license and insurance.