310 inspection includes one hot potato

Recliners on the main floor of Cobourg's emegerncy shelter in December 2024. Photo by Dan Jones, Northumberland 89.7 FM, LJI

By Cecilia Nasmith

Recliner chairs on the ground floor of Northumberland County's homeless shelter at 310 Division St., Cobourg, continue to be a hot potato.

Presenting her report to county council's Social Services Committee Wednesday, Associate Director of Housing and Homelessness Rebecca Snelgrove said the issue had been contentious during a Nov. 25 inspection of the facility under Cobourg's Emergency Care Establishment bylaw.

When it opened in late 2024, there were a couple dozen recliners on the ground floor, which was then used as a warming room. When a subsequent inspection found people sleeping in them, they were removed.

Now that the warming room is no longer on the premises, Snelgrove said, a few recliners have been brought back into that area for individual watching TV.

ECE inspectors admitted that these did not constitute an infraction, but did not let it pass without the comment that they should have gotten the approval of the town before making that move. But as it was an operational decision, Snelgrove noted, the recliners remained.

The report did turn up five concerns, which she said have since been addressed.

Cigarette butts – Inspectors were concerned about this debris out front of the building and along the Division Street curbside, even though there is a designated smoking section at the rear of the building. Clients have been reminded of this, and – even though the area was not on 310 Division St. property – the mess has been cleaned up.

Peeling paint – The wrought-iron railing at the front entrance was corroded and needed the rust removed and the surface painted. Even though there is the risk that the paint won't properly adhere this late in the year, the work was done. At any rate, a full accessibility-improvement in the spring will see the railing removed.

Air-conditioning unit – The exterior part of an air-conditioning unit was noted to be taped and wrapped, which Snelgrove noted has been the case since before the county even purchased the building. It is not a unit that is needed.

Parking concerns – Mobile Security vehicles parking was seen to restrict two parking aisles. All service providers have been reminded of the parking plan outlined in the ECE license.

Exterior laundry vents – Of the exterior laundry vents, one was plugged with lint and another was missing a screen that would prevent the entrance of rodents. The matter was rectified.

Snelgrove provided before-and-after photos of each issue, adding, “We have not heard back from the town, but we trust this is satisfactory and will keep council updated should we hear of anything else.”

She noted that the warming room that was set up at 555 Courthouse Rd. has also received several ECE inspections, with one order turning up on the most recent one. This has been remedied, she said, and will be reported on at the regular county council meeting.