Wasaga Beach is considering the sale of its publicly-owned power supplier

CTV Barrie: Hydro sale debate A debate is just beginning over the future of Wasaga Beach's publicly-owned power company. Rob Cooper reports.

Lawn signs are popping up all over Wasaga Beach, as concerns continue to grow over the sale of the town’s publicly-owned power supplier.

Council chambers were packed on Wednesday night with people wanting to hear what the power company is proposing.

The three options that are being considered are the town retains the utility, it merges with another company or the town sells the local utility.

Some other local communities have already sold off their public utilities, but often deciding they're just too expensive to run and maintain.

In this case, Wasaga Distribution is suggesting the town sell. However, council is not ready to make a decision just yet.

A petition demanding the utility stay in public hands already has almost 1,000 names. Residents are worried that if Wasaga Distribution is sold they'll pay more for hydro.

To make sure they make the right decision, council plans to hold a series of meetings to inform the public and collect feedback.

“Wasaga Distribution is well known as a very efficient utility. Electricity rates are low in comparison with our neighbours. There's a lot of pride in our local utility. So I think people feel a certain attachment to it and don't want to see it sold,” says town CAO George Vadeboncoeur.

The town says it will begin that public consultation process sometime in November.