Jun 03, 2009 - 12:03 PM

By Chris Hall

SCUGOG ISLAND -- Scugog taxpayers are left on the hook for thousands of dollars as the municipal fire service is continually called out to treat riders injured at a Scugog Island motocross track, says Lynn Philip Hodgson.

At Monday's municipal committees meeting, the Ward 3 councillor informed his colleagues that the Scugog Fire Department, as well as Durham cops and paramedics, were called to attend a Fralick's Beach Road dirt-bike track on Saturday after a young rider was injured.

The problem with that, he pointed out, is that the track is on private land and falls under the jurisdiction of the Mississaugas of Scugog Island First Nation. The Mississaugas have an agreement with Scugog for the Township to provide fire services to the native community.

But, stressed Coun. Hodgson, the costs are quickly adding up for Scugog when it has to routinely send its fire crews out to the track site.

"How much money did we spend last year to attend that site and how much this year?" asked the veteran Ward 3 councillor. "It's costing the taxpayers of Scugog Township thousands of dollars to attend that site on a regular basis."

Rob Gonnermann, Scugog's deputy fire chief, told councillors that fire crews were called to the motocross on Saturday morning after a young rider broke a leg.

Sometimes, continued Coun. Hodgson, "The injuries are so horrific that I don't even want to describe them to you." Last year, he added, one rider had to be airlifted away from the site.

"At what point do we say enough is enough of this?" he asked.

In response, Scugog Mayor Marilyn Pearce suggested that municipal staff review the fire services agreement with First Nation officials.

"I don't think (the agreement) applies to special events like this," said the mayor.

She added the matter is something that needs to be discussed with Durham police and EMS officials.

Councillors later agreed to have staff review the agreement and discuss the matter with Mississaugas officials.