THE
SERVING THE MAPLETON COMMUNITY
COMMUNITY NEWS Volume 49 Issue 12
Drayton, Ontario
Daily Interest 1.00%
638-3328
Friday, March 25, 2016
www.jackfinancial.ca
Resident questions transportation route used for wind farm turbines
Blessings to You Centre volunteers continue work from new location If you have two coats, give one to someone who doesn’t have any. If you have food share it with someone else. - Luke 3:11 by Caroline Sealey PALMERSTON - Having undergone a number of moves in recent years, a local thrift and gift store is settling into its current location in downtown Palmerston. Blessings to You Centre opened its doors to customers on March 1, 2006 at its first location on Norman Street. The second store, at the former Wylie’s Pharmacy on Main Street, opened in November 2012. The two stores were relocated to the present site, the former Blooms N Things store March 6 to 8 in 2015. A receiving depot was set up at the former Bookery from March to July 31, 2015, as the basement and receiving area at the store were unsuitable for use. “We were on the march in 2015. As of March 1, 2016, we are stable, flourishing and thankful to all of our hardworking volunteers, generous donors, and eager shoppers. It’s our tenth anniversary but we’ve been too busy to notice,” said volunteer Connie Robinson. The 2,000-square-foot store’s renovations in the receiving area and basement in February, March and April of 2015, included the installation of a hydraulic lift. A chute previously used for coal was converted by volunteers Dave Burns and David Wright to house the lift. Trillium Mutual Insurance donated funds for the project. A hand release on the lift allows volunteers to bring donations down to the processing area in Continued on page 12
1 Year GIC - 1.82% 3 Year GIC - 2.00% 5 Year GIC - 2.40%
All in Green - Children on March Break flocked to the Elora library for a St. Patrick’s Day party on March 17, where they could dress up, get their faces painted and try their hand at crafts. Among those on hand was Jack Wright, 3, of Alma, who dressed up for the photo booth. photo by Olivia Rutt
by Patrick Raftis MAPLETON - While it’s obvious there’s a wind farm in Mapleton because the turbines are plainly visible, it appears nobody currently on township council or working for the municipality is exactly sure how they got there almost four years ago. Mapleton resident Dunc Lamond came to council on March 8 to ask who is responsible for any future repairs to a tile drain that crosses Sideroad 17 near his farm. Lamond told council the transportation route outlined in the agreement between the township and NextEra Energy Canada indicates turbines would be brought to the site via a series of back roads off Highway 6. However he said he and other area residents saw blades and turbine components transported straight to the site along Sideroad 17 from Wellington Road 109. “I am suggesting all of these came down 17 from 109 past our farm here and because of heavy loads they caused prob-
lems on that sideroad, caused the road to settle and disrupted the tile outlet that came across to my farm,” said Lamond, who made clear he was part of a committee of local residents who opposed the establishment of the Conestogo Wind Energy Centre in Mapleton. “I still get upset, I probably should say I get mad as hell at some of the underhanded means that were used to develop that wind farm,” said Lamond. Lamond said the transports used to bring the turbine components to the site were up to 175 feet long and some of the turns on the official back road route “would be impossible.” there suggesting “I’m would have been about 50 of those transports come down this sideroad,” said Lamond, who pointed out the development agreement contains a provision allowing for fines of $5,000 for any deviation from the approved route. “I’m estimating there were 50 violations here – seems to me that’s about a quarter million dollars.”
Lamond stated in an interview that he didn’t see 50 turbines go down Sideroad 17, but did see “numerous” processions led by OPP vehicles, as did some of his neighbors. “We saw these things roll by; unfortunately, we did not take pictures,” said Lamond, who told the Community News he was raising the issue now because of current concerns about the condition of the sideroad and drain. “So as far as proving they went that route the police can corroborate that,” suggested councillor Marlene Ottens. “No they cannot,” replied Lamond. He said he was advised by police “they have no jurisdiction since it was a county road … they sent me off to the county and the county sent me here.” Lamond told the Community News that a Freedom of Information request to the OPP was returned with the response that documents relating to the transportation could not be provided “because they do not Continued on page 3
OMHA champs - The Drayton Defenders Pee Wee Rep team captured the OMHA ‘D’ Championship taking three straight games from Dundalk in the final series. LEFT: Team members are: Ethan Albrecht, Kyle Mulder, Dyson Parker, Denver Haycock, Tyler Franklin, Cohen McIsaac, Shane Haycock, Ian Geffros, Cole Murray, Josh DeWeerd, Matt Kuper, Josh Gerth and Raegan Cressman (goalie). Members of the coaching staff include, from left: back, Archie Mulder, Scott Geffros, Ken Cressman and Trevor Franklin. RIGHT: Action around the Dundalk net during the final game on March 20. submitted photos
Drayton Pee Wees down Dundalk to capture OMHA championship DRAYTON - The Drayton Defenders Pee Wee Rep team captured the OMHA ‘D’ Championship on March 20 by defeating the Dundalk Storm by a score of 5-1.
Drayton swept the Storm three straight with scores of 6-2, 11-3 and 5-1 respectively. The Defenders dropped game one versus Ripley in round one of the OMHA
playoffs and didn’t look back, going on to beat Ripley the following three games. In round two versus Woodville, Drayton prevailed in three straight games, in a
very fast and tight-checking series. Team staff thanked the players for their strong disciplined play, hard work and dedication though out the sea-
son and added a special thanks to all of the parents, team sponsors and fans for their support throughout the successful playoff run to the all-Ontario championship.
Agricultural construction keeps building booming through February in township by Patrick Raftis MAPLETON - Led by strong numbers in agricultural construction, Mapleton’s local building boom continued in February. “You sit here and wonder when will this stop, but I don’t
see it stopping. Farms are bigger and better every day,” said Mayor Neil Driscoll. Driscoll was responding to a report on February building activity presented by chief building official Patty Wright at the March 8 meeting.
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Agricultural construction accounted for nine of the 25 permits issued in February, with the construction valued at $585,000 and generating permit fees of $7,640. Total construction in February was valued at $1.7
million and generated about $19,500 in fees. In February of 2015, the municipality issued 14 permits for nearly $1.5 million and took in $11,252 in fees. Year to date, the municipality has issued 34 building
Weekly Wagwhat
ving by We make a li fe we make a li t u b t, e g e w ive. by what we g urchill - Winston Ch
permits for just over $3 million with of construction and collected about $29,000 in fees. To this point in 2015, Mapleton had issued 29 permits for about $14 million worth of construction, generating $44,700 in fees. Early 2014
BILL’S
numbers were boosted by a spike in industrial construction due to a $9.8-million expansion at Wallenstein Feed and Supply. “The 2016 February building permit fees are up over Continued on page 3
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