Renfrew Councillor Andrew Dick
Renfrew has chosen to not rock the boat when it comes to what they’re owed by its local power supplier.
Town council has agreed to not demand payment on a long-standing promissory note from Renfrew Power Generation worth $925,554 in liabilities plus interest in 2025.
Clerk Carolyn Errett explained on Tuesday night that the note dates back to when RPG and its sister company, Renfrew Hydro, were split up back in 2000, and that the town is required to make their intentions surrounding repayment known to ensure that RPG’s financial audits comply with international reporting standards.
Renfrew Hydro’s promissory note has been changed and reduced over time, while RPG has worked with the town to keep the amount owed as a long-term debt.
Council would eventually agree to keep the arrangement for 2025, but not without some hesitation from a few people at the table, including Councillor John McDonald.
Councillor and RPG Board member Andrew Dick would point out that the promissory note has been in effect without issue for nearly 25 years, and waiting to have a more detailed discussion about the deal in 2026 would benefit everyone involved.
Fellow councillor Kyle Cybulski and Mayor Tom Sidney agreed with waiting until at least autumn 2026 to speak with RPG about the note in order to not overwhelm incoming Chief Administrative Officer Gloria Raybone when she arrives in January.
(written by Kasey Egan)