SERVING THE MAPLETON COMMUNITY
THE
COMMUNITY NEWS VOLUME 50 ISSUE 03
DRAYTON, ONTARIO
1 Year GIC - 2.06% 3 Year GIC - 2.11% 5 Year GIC - 2.25% Daily Interest 0.90%
638-3328
FRIDAY, JANUARY 20, 2017
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Province to provide $250,000 for Moorefield hall upgrades By Patrick Raftis MOOREFIELD – The Maryborough Community Centre here will be upgraded with the assistance of provincial grant funding. CAO Brad McRoberts reported at the Jan. 10 meeting the Township of Mapleton was successful in obtaining a grant for upgrades to the facility through the Ontario 150 Community Capital Grant Program. The total project costs were estimated to be $526,000 with $249,800 being funded by the Ontario 150 program and $10,000 being funding through the Wellington County Accessibility Grant
Program. The remaining $266,700 will be funded through the 2017 capital budget. “The municipal portion of financing will need to be funded through a debenture,” McRoberts explained in his report. Mayor Neil Driscoll said news of the grant was welcome as the township had not been successful in obtaining federal or provincial funds through application-based programs in recent years. In fact, an application in 2015 to the federal Canada 150 Community Infrastructure Program for the same project was unsuccessful. “I do really think we need
to thank our local MP and our MPP for helping us push this through,” said Mayor Neil Driscoll, who also thanked staff and councillors for their efforts. The Maryborough Community Centre was built in 1967, during Canada’s centennial year, a factor council felt might make the project attractive to decision makers for the 150th funding program. Potential elements of the project discussed by council in the past include: updating the roof, an outdoor covered area, floor and ceiling replacement, lighting improvements and washroom upgrades.
New rigid facility fee policy impacts Starlight Gala donation/waiver request By Patrick Raftis MAPLETON – The township’s new policy against reducing or waiving facility rental fees will impact the municipality’s traditional support for the Palmerston and District Hospital Foundation’s Starlight Gala. Council has regularly waived all PMD arena fees for the gala, which is rotated between arena complexes in Harriston, Palmerston and Drayton. Council passed a resolu-
tion implementing the policy on Dec. 13, eliminating fee reductions and waivers commonly provided to help subsidize facility users, particularly those raising funds for community projects. The option was one of four presented in a staff report prepared in response to council’s request for a new policy. The other options included: - continuing to address requests on a case-by-case basis using a preset allotment of budgeted funds;
- establishing a firm policy of considering requests for funding only during the budget process; or - establishing a formal grant application policy with a formal application, eligibility requirements and clear evaluation criteria. The staff report, prepared by CAO Brad McRoberts, suggested council consider: - whether council has the moral authority to provide public funds on a discretionary basis to various groups
Families enjoy skating sessions Hitting the ice - Jenika and Kenzie Frey of Glen Allan and their mother, Denise, regularly take part in Parent and Tot Skating sessions at the PMD arena in Drayton. RIGHT: The family took advantage of some open ice to practice their moves at the Jan. 12 session. ABOVE: Jenika, left, and Kenzie strike out on their own. Parent and Tot skating is offered at no charge each Wednesday and Thursday from 11am to noon. Photos by Caroline Sealey
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Additional hours approved for seasonal public works operators Move expected to provide flexibility, aid with recruitment and retention By Patrick Raftis MAPLETON – Seasonal operators with the township’s public works department will be getting more guaranteed work hours. At the Jan. 10 meeting, council approved a staff recommendation that the standard work week for seasonal operators become 42 hours. Currently the township offers seasonal operators a guaranteed alternating work week of 42 hours one week and 25 hours the next. While many seasonal operators regularly reach 42 hours in the 25-hour week during periods of stormy weather systems, in less weather active weeks
they may be limited to 25 hours. “Over the last three years the township has been challenged recruiting and retaining qualified seasonal operators for winter maintenance” explained CAO Brad McRoberts in a staff report “The primary incentive for operators to leave, based upon discussion, has been the lack of a guarantee of 40 or more hours each week. “Other municipalities, including the county, are providing guaranteed 40 hours per week each week.” He added, “We have also been challenged recruiting qualified seasonal operators and the lack of provid-
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ing guaranteed 40 hours per week each week is considered a contributing factor.” In addition to retention and recruitment advantages, the change would provide the public works department with “greater operational flexibility to address winter maintenance needs particularly during extended active weather conditions,” the report states. The anticipated cost for seven seasonal operators at an additional 17 hours every other week during the fivemonth winter season at maximum job rate of $24 would be about $14,720. The report notes that estimate assumes seasonal operators already
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reach 42 hours in the 25-hour week 50% of the time. Councillor Dennis Craven noted “two roads employees have mentioned to me that it’s about time we did something like that.” Councillor Michael Martin said, “I guess I’ve never personally understood the short week. I can certainly appreciate the recruitment and retention argument.” Noting he supported the move “if there is work available,” Martin asked, “Is there going to be a change in the level of service?” Martin stated, “I’d love to hear if there is additional benefits outside of the whole recruitment/retention
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aspect.” McRoberts replied that if the department “gets the proper number of operators, (it would) certainly be easier to provide the appropriate service level.” However, he added, “I don’t want to get too much into the sense we’re trying to enhance our service level, because I don’t know if that’s where council wants to go - but it does give us operational benefits.” Later in the meeting McRoberts addressed perceived concerns about service levels for winter road maintenance in the township, pointing out “people don’t realize ... a plow can
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drive down a road section and within an hour it can fill in.” The CAO also stated, “People need to realize we have eight trucks and those eight trucks will take about four hours to do the roads once.” Mayor Neil Driscoll agreed “there seems to be some confusion” about expectations for road maintenance. “The township doesn’t have a 24/7 service level as the county or MTO do,” he noted. The recommendation to authorize the additional seasonal hours was approved by council.
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