The Apple Hill station, one of three in North Glengarry, along with Alexandria and Maxville. Photo on Friday, January 3, 2020, in Apple Hill, Ont. Todd Hambleton/Cornwall Standard-Freeholder/Postmedia Network TODD HAMBLETON / TODD HAMBLETON/STANDARD-FREEHOLDER
ALEXANDRIA — The North Glengarry Fire Department has announced its new open-air burn permit application procedure, joining two other local townships in taking the applications online.
It’s an online registration process, the new method expected to provide easy, accurate and real-time information for both the residents of the township and the fire department, according to fire chief Matthew Roy. Benefits will include a simple annual renewal process for permits, as a resident only needs to set up an online profile once.
“The aim of this new program is to simplify the process of registering for a burn permit for our residents, and increased efficiency for our administration,” Roy said in a news release issued by the township last week.
Other advantages to the new system include there being a portal for education and prevention information on open burning, and automated features that will alert residents throughout the year to notifications such as burn bans and changes to fire risk levels.
“I think it’s a good idea,” said North Glengarry Mayor Jamie MacDonald on Friday. “It gives a bit more service to our residents. . . if it’s Friday at 3 p.m. and you have friends coming over and you need a burn permit for the weekend, you have to drive into town and maybe (the municipal office) is closed by the time you get there. This way, you have that extra (online) option.”
If a resident is unable to use the online process for initial registration, they can visit the town office located at 90 Main St. S. in Alexandria, where a paper application can be generated, and processed through the new online system.
“Everything is the same, except now we just offer (another option),” the mayor said.
As for the fire service, Roy said the benefits include real-time tracking of all active open-air burn permits, and improved safety for responders if an open burn is reported.
“We may downgrade our response if it’s suspected that it is a permitted burn,” Roy said.
Roy told the Standard-Freeholder Friday afternoon that an online process has been proven successful elsewhere.
“A lot of municipalities across eastern Ontario have gone to (an online system),” he said.
Roy said the types of systems can vary, and that something that pleases him about the new North Glengarry process is that all of three types of open-air burning permits are available online: recreational, brush, and farm / agricultural.
Residents are reminded they are not required to contact the North Glengarry Fire Department when burning, but that they should be sure to read and abide by the regulations as described in the current burn bylaw. Also, all active fires must always be monitored and have a means of extinguishment ready that matches the size of the fire.
Link to original article on standard-freeholder.com: North Glengarry latest to move to online burn permit applications