Pelham not seeking Region repayment for costly allegations
Pelham is taking what its councillors view as the high road in putting to rest an ongoing dispute with Niagara Region.
On Tuesday, Pelham town council opted to nix a motion to request the Region pony up $165,287 for costs incurred over the past year as the town battled numerous allegations of financial mismanagement from the Region’s audit committee, which called for a third-party audit of Pelham’s books.
Initially, after a May 7 committee-of-the-whole report from chief administrative officer Darren Ottaway highlighting the Region’s push for an audit, and letters to Infrastructure Ontario citing unsubstantiated claims from resigned town councillor Marvin Junkin, council was set to approve a motion asking the Region pay back the costs for a KPMG forensic investigation, legal costs and an expert panel for a town-hall meeting on the issue to the sums of $117,078, $34,826 and $13,383 respectively.
“Maybe this is the time when council should take the high road,” said Mayor Dave Augustyn, who first suggested council reject the motion to recoup costs. While the total sum represents a 1.6 per cent increase to Pelham’s tax base, Augustyn said pursuing cost recovery would only continue the “back and forth” with the Region.
Several councillors echoed Augustyn’s comments, with Ward 3 Coun. John Durley urging council to rise above the emotion of the issue and avoid seeking revenge on regional politicians that overstepped jurisdictional boundaries.
“We sailed through it and we stand tall,” said Ward 3 Coun. Peter Papp, who did vote against requesting regional repayment, but not before voicing frustration over the sizeable expenditure for the town.
Ward 2 Coun. Gary Accursi was the sole voice of dissent on the issue, speaking in favour of requesting repayment from the Region.
“As a taxpayer I am offended,” said Accursi, adding the issue was neither about a moral high road or low road, but rather a practical matter of recouping the money while deterring the Region from meddling in the affairs of lower-tier municipalities like Pelham.
“Their own legal team advised them they were outside their jurisdiction,” said Accursi. “I view it as a practical road, sending a message to the Region.”
Accursi took the opportunity to go on the attack, saying the request might curb a vocal group of politicians at the Region, including Grimsby Coun. Tony Quirk, who led the push for a look into Pelham’s books. A $165,287 price tag, he said, might be one such councillors understand after months of the town providing legal and accounting responses to the allegations.
“I’m sure Mr. Quirk understands numbers, he’s assured us he understands numbers,” said Accursi.