If a dog, or some other wild animal, attacks and kills a farmer’s livestock or poultry, the farmer is entitled to government compensation. Ditto if a raccoon or skunk lays waste to a bee colony.
I learned this while perusing the list of town committees seeking citizen appointees for the next four years. There are 11 committees in all and more than 50 openings should council approve administration’s recommendation to strike a Seniors’ Advisory Committee and a Mayor’s Youth Advisory Committee.
Among those committees is the Livestock Evaluator Committee, which the town is required to set up under the provisions of Ontario's Wildlife Damage Compensation Program, which functions in place of the Livestock, Poultry and Honeybee Protection Act.
The legislation helps ensure farmers are compensated for any livestock lost to dog or wild animal attacks. The town is seeking three residents to serve on this committee, which will investigate any attacks and determine the compensation owed the farmer.
If animal attacks aren’t your thing, you could also help settle fence disputes between neighbours. The town is seeking three residents to serve on its Fence Viewer Committee to carry out the provisions of the Line Fences Act, “one of Ontario’s most historic pieces of legislation that provides a local method of arbitrating fencing disputes between neighbouring property owners.”
Other committees include the Accessibility Advisory Committee; the Committee of Adjustment; Co-An Park Committee; the Amherstburg Drainage Board; the Heritage Committee; the Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee and the Property Standards Committee.
Please consider putting your hand up for these committees. It is a great way to get involved and give back.
Read the River Town Times and monitor the town’s website and social media feeds for details on deadlines and how to apply.
Applications will be submitted to the Clerk and/or Deputy Clerk and council is scheduled to appoint members at the Jan. 14th, 2019 meeting.
Read the town's report outlining the mandate and form of each committee.
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