By Chad Ingram

The following are brief reports of items discussed during a Feb. 18 meeting of Algonquin Highlands council.

Michael French is the new chief of the Algonquin Highlands Fire Services, and participated in his first council meeting.
French was previously chief of Rama Fire Services, with Mayor Carol Moffatt saying he brought tremendous experience to the role.
“It is very impressive, for a volunteer department, the equipment you have, the programs that are in place,” French said of the township’s fire services.
French replaced outgoing chief Jonathan Wilker, who started with the township last February, weeks before the COVID-19 pandemic struck Ontario. Wilker resigned to move back to Ottawa, where his family has continued to live throughout the pandemic.

Security cameras to be installed at office
The township will install two security cameras at its administrative office along North Shore Road, at a cost of approximately $3,000. The County of Haliburton and its lower-tier municipalities all passed surveillance policies in 2020. There have been a couple of incidents at the North Shore Road office involving staff safety, including one where the building was evacuated due to threats.