THE
SERVING THE MAPLETON COMMUNITY
COMMUNITY NEWS Volume 48 Issue 06
Drayton, Ontario
1 Year GIC - 1.90% 3 Year GIC - 2.40% 5 Year GIC - 2.70% Daily Interest 1.45%
638-3328
Friday, February 6, 2015
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Rainwater infiltration cuts into capacity of sewage treatment plant, council advised by Patrick Raftis MAPLETON – Treating rainwater is taking up valuable capacity in the township’s wastewater system, a report from the Grand River Conservation Authority indicates. Dave Chapman, an environmental engineer with Comprehensive Process Optimization Inc., presented Mapleton council with details of a GRCA evaluation of the township’s wastewater system completed in December. Chapman said the GRCA is seeking to form partnerships with those interested in reducing the amount of effluent going into
the river. He pointed out that treated wastewater can only be discharged during two windows of time, one each in spring and fall and the effluent “has to meet certain requirements.” Chapman said “overall there is no problem with meeting your objectives. The quality of your effluent.” However, he pointed out that rainwater currently accounts for as much as 150 cubic metres of the municipality’s sewage treatment plant capacity of 750 cubic metres per day. Recognizing the municipality has initiated a class environmental assessment
on wastewater capacity, Chapman noted, “Going forward this is one of the issues you have to look at … rainwater takes up some of your capacity.” He said the GRCA recommends the municipality continue to negotiate with the province for “more flexibility to address potential over-capacity issues.” Mayor Neil Driscoll thanked Chapman for the input. “One of the question we’ve always had is what can we do to improve our facility and we’re finally getting some answers. This will help us move forward,” said Driscoll.
Council members named to committee of adjustment Spiritual bread baking - Ken McManus of Fergus partnered with facilitator Chris Grose to make a loaf of bread from scratch at a spiritual winter retreat hosted by Alma United Church on Jan. 31. This was McManus’ first attempt at bread making. photo by Caroline Sealey
by Patrick Raftis MAPLETON – A bylaw to appoint members of Mapleton council to the township’s committee of adjustment was passed at the Jan. 27 meeting. A motion to give first and second reading to the bylaw, which names the five current
members of Mapleton council to the committee, with the mayor acting as chair, was passed 3-2 in a recorded vote requested by councillor Dennis Craven. Mayor Neil Driscoll and councillors Lori Woodham and Michael Martin voted in
favour of the bylaw, which was opposed by Craven and councillor Marlene Ottens. The bylaw was later passed unopposed on third reading. Council had initially approved the move by resolution at the Dec. 9 meeting, with voting split along the same
lines. Previously, the committee of adjustment was made up of three citizen appointees. A committee of adjustment is a quasi-judicial body in each Ontario municipality that adjudicates matters related to minor variances to zoning bylaws, and land severances.
Wellington County passes 2015 budget with 2.8% levy increase
by Patrick Raftis GUELPH – Wellington County has adopted a 2015 budget with a 2.8 per cent tax levy increase. Warden George Bridge says the budget, which will cost county taxpayers an additional $18 per $100,000 of assessment, “invests in the residents of Wellington County. “With this budget, the county is making a significant commitment to improving health care in our community in addition to enhancing the county’s physical and technological infrastructure. This budget also means the creation of new and future jobs for Wellington
County,” Bridge stated in a press release issued after the budget was passed at the Jan. 29 county council meeting. The budget calls for spending of $185,489,200 - including capital spending of about $26.9 million - and projects revenues of $100,965,700, leaving $84,523,500 to be raised through the tax levy. Spending in the budget includes: - the first installment of a new $9.4 million investment in three local hospitals: Groves hospital in Fergus; Louise Marshall Hospital in Mount Forest and Palmerston District Community Hospital;
- $218,000 for an ambulance response time improvement plan through the City of Guelph; - $14.7 million for roads and bridges; - $4.3 million for social and affordable housing in Guelph and Wellington; - $3.5 million for the renovation and expansion of the Palmerston Library; and - continued economic development funding, including a new County of Wellington sign strategy, sector investment profiles, preparation for the county hosting the International Plowing Match in 2016, and a local municipal business reten-
tion and expansion fund. Staffing in the economic development department has also been increased, with the economic development cocoordinator position going from part-time to full-time. In December, former Town of Minto economic development and recreation coordinator Mandy Hansen was hired for the full-time position with the county. Other staffing changes covered in the budget include the addition of the equivalent of 8.8 full-time staff in various departments, at a net cost of $427,100 to the county. The budget passed on Jan.
29 is the result of some cuts to a draft budget at the committee level. Earlier projections indicated a 3.2% tax levy increase. All the cuts came from the police services budget, where a decision to forego the practice of adding two officers per year saved $340,000. The savings came from salaries and capital costs associated with the proposed two officers and the elimination of a plan to add acquisition of two all-terrain vehicles to the police services budget. The police services committee altered five-year projections to reflect the hiring of no new officers in 2015 and 2016
and one new officer in each of the next three years. Councillor Don McKay explained the solid waste services committee backed off a plan to increase bag tag fees for garbage, but went ahead with a $5 increase in tipping fees, which is expected to generate additional revenue. “This is a fiscally responsible budget for the county,” said councillor Dennis Lever, chair of the county’s administration, finance and personnel committee. “It strikes a good balance between economic growth and protecting and improving our infrastructure and services.”
Township to purchase generator for clinic by Patrick Raftis MAPLETON – Township council has authorized the purchase of a generator to provide backup power for the Mapleton Health Centre. At the Jan. 27 meeting, council accepted a recommendation from CAO Patty Sinnamon to accept a quote from C. Deen Electric for $9,125 plus HST and additional costs for gas line piping, likely between $500 and $750, Sinnamon estimated in a report to council. Council gave pre-budget approval for the purchase and directed the funds be drawn from the medical centre reserves. Sinnamon advised council that as of Dec. 31, the balance
in the medical centre facility reserve account was $114,199 and it was anticipated that once all year-end transfers for 2014 are completed, the balance will be $125,550. The generator is needed to provide back-up power in the pharmacy in the event of a power outage. “It is staff’s understanding that it is imperative that back-up power be provided so that any drugs that need to be refrigerated do not spoil. This concern was raised by the staff at the medical centre during the numerous power outages in 2014,” Sinnamon stated in her report. Councillor Marlene Ottens asked if the generator would start working automatically in
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the event of an off-hours power outage, or if someone would need to start it. Mayor Neil Driscoll explained the generator, which will run on natural gas, kicks in automatically when needed. Driscoll explained the previous council had set money aside to obtain a generator, “but didn’t hand it on to staff to get it done.” Council also gave approval for a second reception window to be constructed at the Drayton medical clinic. The additional window will assist with the flow of patients entering and leaving the clinic and will be paid for by physicians working out of the centre, stated clinic manager Rosie Landman in a letter to council.
Clinic upgrades - Mapleton Township council has agreed to purchase a generator for the Mapleton Health Centre. Also at the Jan. 27 meeting, council approved the installation of a second reception window at the clinic. photo by Caroline Sealey
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