CENTER WELLINGTON – Balson Preventative Solutions Inc. will provide termite control services in the community and the company plans to start work this fall.
The council, at its August 22 meeting, approved the cessation of the company for a maximum of $200,000.
The project includes public education, autumn nematode treatment and the provision of disposal bins for autumn yard wood waste for the initial one-year term.
Back in 2020, Termite Research Services conducted a survey in the Fergus and Elora neighborhoods and found that there are 259 properties in the red zone (active termites) and 219 in the blue zone – a buffer zone around the red zone.
The council approved $60,000 in the 2021 budget for termite management and added an additional $140,000 in 2022, resulting in $200,000 available that year.
The 10-year capital projection also includes $100,000 per year in 2023, 2024 and 2025 for termite control.
This contract only applies to outdoor treatment.
According to the report sent to the council, “It is expected that as the negotiation process progresses, community staff will be able to determine an approximate magnitude of the average cost of residential termite control strategies and the financial to be borne To better understand the stresses of township dwellers related to internal clean-up efforts.
“Once this information is known, staff will formulate options with a potential financial impact on community cash flows for consideration by the council. All options will be lensed to mitigate the immediate upfront costs associated with internal sanitation efforts for residents.”
Residents who have dealt with termites in their homes suggest the cost for an indoor treatment that lasts a few years is about $5,000.
Councilor Ian MacRae asked if companies such as landscapers would be part of the educational programme.
“It’s a very big part of public education,” said senior construction official Randy Bossence. “They will focus on the red zone but need to reach all players involved.”
Councilman Kirk McElwain wanted to know if residents could be forced into treatment.
“Wellington Center has a termite statute that allows enforcement,” Bossence replied. “We could order treatment. If it came to that, (the company) would treat the property at its own expense (the homeowner).”
Councilor Bob Foster wanted to know how residents will access the program and whether it will be on a first come, first served basis.
“The first step is making contact,” Bossence said. “(The company) needs a permit to enter the property. We want homeowners to know we’re getting started and there’s something to sign.
“In the beginning there will be a huge reach. But we want to achieve all of that this fall.”
Properties will likely be covered block by block, working methodically through the red and blue zones. It will require more than one treatment, which is why money has been set aside for subsequent years.
For maps of termite zones in Elora and Fergus, see https://centrewellington.civicweb.net/document/38755/Termite.
