The R.M. of Dufferin is set to receive $148,942 from the province thanks to a one-time increase in funding for spring flood preparations.

"I’d like to congratulate the staff and the public works department for all the hard work they did to get this flood preparedness application in and ratified," says Reeve George Gray.

The funds they receive are part of a joint application with the Town of Carman which is receiving $150,000 of their own.

They will be purchasing a trash pump that doesn’t clog when pumping debris-filled water, a high capacity pump, and “some very professional road closed signs. We’ll be buying a ten thousand watt commercial generator, another heavy-duty chainsaw to help out if there’s any sort of trees.”

Also on the list is a generator for their shop which will allow them to keep things up and running 24/7 - a problem they encountered in 2019 with a high level of snow.

“As well, there will be a co-sharing of two generators with the Town of Carman. We’ll be buying a generator for what we call the ‘EMO Centre’ which is in Memorial Hall, which houses both the RM and Town.”

The second generator will go towards the Carman-Dufferin Fire Department which services both areas.

Gray adds that co-sharing, and the fact that the Town and R.M. are receiving a similar amount, will allow them to buy equipment they have wanted to for years.

"I just congratulate the government for the vision of what they’ve done for the participating municipalities. It’ll allow us to move forward and consolidate the essential services that we need. Generators are an essential service in today’s world."

According to him, rivers are flowing well and he doesn’t believe the area will have major flooding concerns unless we get significant rain/snow in the next month.