County councillors suggest looking at the impact of power outages on rural residents

Northumberland County Administration Building

By: Cecilia Nasmith, Northumberland 89.7 FM News

Northumberland County

Xouncillor Brian Ostrander took a moment at Wednesday's Northumberland County council's Economic Development, Tourism, Land Use Planning Committee meeting to share a problem that is adversely impacting the rural community.

Ostrander had the chance to talk informally with the owner-operator of Ste. Anne's Spa in A-H Township.

“He was offering concerns around power outages and the impacts that they have on a business, but also on rural businesses across Northumberland County. The request was to sit down with members of county council and have a conversation,” he reported.

As that would require a special meeting, Ostrander suggested instead that he make a presentation to one of council's standing committees as a delegation.

“I do hope he will come in at some point and provide us with this information so we can help advocate for our rural businesses when these things happen – he is not alone.”

A few kilometres south of Ste. Anne's in Grafton, several businesses – a gas station, a convenience store, a pizza place, a pharmacy, a catering business – lost power in the spring ice storm for five days.

Chief Administrative Officer Jennifer Moore said the county has heard from the agricultural community as well that power outages are a significant concern for them

“No doubt. As we automate agriculture, that certainly makes sense,” Ostrander agreed.