THE
SERVING THE MAPLETON COMMUNITY
COMMUNITY NEWS Volume 48 Issue 07
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 13, 2015
www.jackfinancial.ca
Mapleton plans community forum DRAYTON - The Township of Mapleton will be hosting a community forum to discuss the preliminary findings and solicit community input for the township’s municipal cultural plan. The forum will take place at the Drayton Festival Theatre on Feb. 19 from 6:30 to 8pm. The goal is to raise awareness of the economic and social value of Mapleton’s cultural businesses and assets, including community organizations,
heritage buildings and sites, festival and events and to stimulate community support for the municipal cultural plan. The event will feature a presentation on Mapleton’s current assets and how culture stimulates economies, engages citizens, unites communities and revitalizes downtowns. “Community input and participation is essential to the success of the project. The forum will provide residents a chance to provide feedback and
contribute to the overall vision of cultural development across the township,� states a press release issued by Mapleton business development and marketing co-ordinator Crystal Ellis. To attend the forum register at mapletonculturalplanforum.eventbrite.ca or contact Ellis at 519-638-3313 or cellis@mapleton.ca. For more information on the community forum or the municipal cultural plan visit www.mapleton.ca.
Total council pay up by $5,400
Ready to go - The Phil Birds are ready for action at the annual Alma Optimist Plunger Toss on Feb. 7. From left are: Vanessa Aberle, Sheree Bessey, Denise Kankainen and Rebecca Schwarz. Additional photo on page 4.
photo by Mike Robinson
by Patrick Raftis MAPLETON - The cost of paying elected officials in the township rose about $5,400 in 2014, compared to the previous year. A report presented at the Jan. 27 Mapleton council meeting included a remuneration summary for all council members last year. The total cost to local taxpayers came in at $85,406, up 6.7% over $80,032 in 2013. As in most municipalities, the mayor’s costs were the highest among council members. Mayor Bruce Whale received total remuneration of $16,845, including a salary of $16,021. In 2013, the mayor’s salary and expenses totaled $19,801. However, in 2014, Whale’s term of office ended in November, as he did not seek reelection in October and was replaced by former councillor Neil Driscoll. Whale also had 2014 meeting per diems of $680, mileage and parking fees of $49, and meal expenses of $95. The expenses of the other members of the outgoing council are listed below in the fol-
lowing order: salary, meeting per diem fees, convention and seminar per diems, registration, hotel costs, mileage and parking, and meal costs: - Jim Curry, $12,461, $460, $290, $550, $376, $141, $95, for a total of $14,372; - Mike Downey, $12,461, $50, $240, $550, $456, $333, $114, for a total of $14,204; - Neil Driscoll, $13,744, $1,590, $360, $550, $703, $0, $114, for a total of $17,060; and - Andy Knetsch, $12,461, $1,280, $480, $550, $703, $58, $114, for a total of $15,646. The four incoming members of council, Dennis Craven, Michael Martin, Marlene Ottens and Lori Woodham all received identical remuneration of $1,819. The total includes salary of $997, per diems of $480, registration fees of $225 and hotel expenses of $116. Committee remuneration Mapleton also has five committees whose members receive remuneration and expenses. The total cost for all five committees in 2014 was $5,710, compared to $8,230 in
2013 and $11,526 in 2012. Cemetery committee member Jean Campbell received $200 for attending meetings and Lorrie Spaling and Kathryn Fowler were paid $150 each. Meeting pay for committee of adjustment and property standards members was: Kathleen Ayres, $70; Floyd Schieck, $280; Carl Israel, $280 and Peg Schieck, $280. Maryborough housing board members received the following amounts for attending meetings: Vaughn Doig, $450; Sandy Vallance, $450; Lois Donaldson, $350 and Virginia Franklin, $450. The parks and recreation committee had six members who received the following remuneration in 2013: Dave Geddes, $150; Peg Schieck, $150; Carla Schott, $200; Lorrie Spaling, $150; Dennis Craven, $150 and Kelly Culp, $100. Economic development committee members received the following: Corinne SlotClaus, $250; Sharon Grose, $300; Donna Hirtle, $450, Jennifer Porter, $300 and Elizabeth Samis, $400.
Fire department seeks funding for battery-operated extrication tools by Patrick Raftis MAPLETON – The Mapleton Fire Department is applying to the Trillium Community Support Fund for $15,000 to purchase two battery-operated extrication tools. At the Jan. 27 meeting, Fire Chief Rick Richardson explained Trillium Mutual Insurance has established the ROOTS (Recognizing Our Opportunity to Support) fund to provide assistance to community projects. “Staff would like to apply for funding to purchase two extrication tools that are used at vehicle and farm accidents throughout the year,� stated Richardson in his report. “The new tools would allow operation without using hoses and gas engines to power them.� He added the battery
operation also allows for quicker remote usage when the rescue trucks cannot get close enough. RICK The report RICHARDSON recommended an application be submitted to purchase one unit in 2015 and a second unit in 2016. “We would apply for full 100 per cent funding. Should the fund only cover 50% of the cost, staff would recommend that the balance come from the fire department’s capital equipment reserve,� the report explains. “Our extrication tools are fairly old, but they still work fine,� Richardson told council, adding the advantage of the Main St. W. Palmerston
Rated G
PADDINGTON SHOWTIMES: Friday 8pm,
Saturday 12pm & 8pm and Sunday 7pm
Big Film Fest: Monday, February 16 at 7:15pm, Featuring “Mommy� $10
For more info call 519-343-3640 or visit www.norgantheatre.com
battery-operated models is the firefighters don’t have to deal with getting additional lines to emergency scenes. Richardson also reported on a plan to restructure positions within the department to accommodate a need for additional training officers. The current officer organizational chart and remuneration consists of eight captains, of whom two are training officers, two are responsible for the pagers and radios, two are equipment managers, one is a fire prevention officer and one is in charge of clothing and uniforms. “New training changes have led to the need for more assistance in the training department. The new structure would move the equipment managers to assist with training. This
would have two training officers for each station. More subjects can be offered each night and more sign-offs will occur. The new structure does not change the total remuneration for the captains, but
shifts responsibilities within the officers roles,� explained Richardson in his report. Richardson also reported three new firefighters have been hired as a result of a recruiting process that conclud-
ed in December. Twelve candidates applied and Richardson said one more recruit will be brought in to replace a retiring Drayton station firefighter. Council accepted the reports as presented.
Local turbine project loses FIT contract by Patrick Raftis TEVIOTDALE - A proposed single-turbine wind farm near here is on hold after the proponent’s Feed in Tariff (FIT) contract was cancelled by the Ontario Independent Electrical System Operator (IESO). The Roubos Wind Farm project was included on a list of 15 terminated FIT contracts for solar and wind projects recently posted on the IESO website. The contracts were issued by
Weekly Wag
in the lture resides u c ’s n o ti a . n A l of its people u o s e th in d hearts an andhi - Mahatma G
the Ontario Power Authority (OPA), which was merged with the IESO under the latter name as of Jan. 1. The Roubos proposal was for a single-turbine, 500 kilowatt project located in Mapleton Township, south of Teviotdale and just east of the North Perth boundary. Local contractor Willem Roubos was the proponent and the project documentation was prepared by M.K. Ince and Associates.
IESO spokesperson Alexandra Campbell said agency officials could not comment on reasons for the termination. “We’re not allowed to talk about the specific reasons for individual projects. I can confirm that the contract was terminated,� she told the Community News. Thomas Bernacki of M.K. Ince referred questions on the contract termination to Roubos. “I didn’t meet a deadline,� Continued on page 3
'5$<7216725$*( FRP ,QGLYLGXDO 6WRUDJH 8QLWV Individual Storage Units [ [ [ [ 5x10 10x10 10x15 10x20 6HDVRQDO ERDWV FDUV 59V ODZQ WUDFWRUV Seasonal VXPPHU ZLQWHU WLUH VWRUDJH boats, cars, RVs, lawn tractors, summer/winter tire storage