THE
SERVING THE MAPLETON COMMUNITY
COMMUNITY NEWS Volume 48 Issue 22
Drayton, Ontario
1 Year GIC - 2.15% 3 Year GIC - 2.35% 5 Year GIC - 2.55% Daily Interest 1.25%
638-3328
Friday, May 29, 2015
www.jackfinancial.ca
Mapleton plans push to restore farm tax cash to municipal coffers
Practice shot - Track and field day was held on May 20 at Community Christian School in Drayton. Participants received a hot dog lunch with a large freezie. Many parent volunteers came out to help make the day a huge success. Moriah McCracken takes a warm-up throw before the girls shot put event got underway. More photos on page 2 photo by Caroline Sealey
Renew Northern Wellington initiative aims to fill up vacant storefronts KENILWORTH - The Town of Minto and the townships of Mapleton and Wellington North are collaborating to launch the Renew Northern Wellington Arts and Business Association. The downtown revitalization program aims to partner new businesses with empty storefronts. “Renew Northern Wellington is modeled off of the successful Renew Program that helps to put talented people into downtown storefronts to gain exposure, build their business, and become a sustainable enterprise,” states a joint press release from the three municipalities. The program offers empty downtown stores for a very small participation fee to assist owners in getting their business built and becoming successful. “The program offers minimal risk and investment but is unlimited in its opportunities for success,” the release states. Wellington North began the process to develop the threeyear program to help revitalize
its downtowns by filling empty storefronts with fresh, new, innovative business ideas. With the support of the two Chambers of Commerce as well as the Mount Forest Business Improvement Association, the township obtained $66,300 in funding over two years from the Ontario Trillium Foundation to support the program. “Building on current relationships with the Town of Minto and Mapleton Township, the opportunity to partner on this initiative was soon recognized,” officials state. By partnering and building resources to form Renew Northern Wellington, the three areas will rollout the program in unison and aim to build capacity, cross-promote communities, share resources and grow awareness of the opportunity in the region. Community representation from the respective areas will make up a volunteer board to govern the not-for-profit corporation. Renew Northern Wellington will match vacant commercial retail space with new
businesses that need a hand getting started. “It will help entrepreneurs get exposure and grow their business by providing low cost access to a storefront location, which will aid the communities in growing foot traffic in our downtowns and appeal of the available commercial locations,” officials note. The new small business growth that Renew Northern Wellington will incubate is expected to stimulate employment, generate economic activity and invigorate local downtowns, making them a more desirable destination to visit, shop, dine in, stay and invest, officials say. Launch It Minto, the Saugeen Economic Development Corporation and Wellington County Economic Development will help provide business resources, including training and mentorship designed to educate new and established business owners on a wide range of business strategies. “Northern Wellington is a Continued on page 3
by Patrick Raftis MAPLETON - Mapleton Township isn’t happy with the impact of the province’s farm property class tax rate program on municipal coffers and plans to make some noise about it. Mayor Neil Driscoll asked Perth-Wellington MPP Randy Pettapiece to deliver that message to Queen’s Park when the local member attended the May 12 council meeting. Pettapiece was at the meeting to discuss provincial and municipal issues. Prior to 1998, owners of properties assessed as farmland paid 100 per cent of their assessed tax, then filed an application with the province to receive a 75% rebate, paid directly by the province. Since 1998, farmers pay property tax on only 25% of the assessed value of their property (excluding their residence and one acre surrounding it). That means costs that were once shared province-wide now fall on the non-farm municipal tax base. Driscoll told Pettapiece the “cheap food policy” hits farmland-heavy municipalities like Mapleton hard and asked for the MPP’s help to “get the message to Queen’s Park.” The Conservative MPP agreed to raise the issue with the Liberal government, noting “this is something that has been brought up by municipalities in the past and you have to keep after them.”
Driscoll pointed out the issue does present a conflict for municipal councils like Mapleton, which also represent farmers. “The OFA (Ontario Federation of Agriculture) is asking them to make the 25% rate even lower,” he stated. Councillor Lori Woodham suggested Mapleton could draft a resolution on the topic and seek support from other municipalities. Driscoll agreed a resolution could be considered at a future meeting. However, councillor Michael Martin pointed out the issue is a complex one, noting Mapleton’s urban consumers benefit from the “cheap food policy,” not just those from major cities. Keeping the pressure on During his presentation, Pettapiece told council his party is working to ensure the concerns of municipal councils are heard in the legislature. “What we do is we keep on the government,” he explained. Pettapiece noted one area of success for municipalities has been the province’s restoration of a discontinued program that helped pay for maintenance on provincial highways passing through urban areas. “One of the things we are pleased with is that they’re bringing back the Connecting Link program, although there won’t be as much money put in as there was before,” he said.
However, the MPP said he was disappointed that despite years of lobbying by municipalities, and “all-party support” for changes, the government has declined to alter joint and several liability provisions, which often compel municipalities to pick up the tab for lawsuit settlements, even if found only fractionally responsible. The system puts upward pressure on municipal insurance premiums. Pettapiece also said the government’s current approach to infrastructure funding, which factors in a municipality’s ability to pay, discourages good financial management at the municipal level. “The municipalities that have managed their finances well and built up reserves are being penalized and we don’t think that’s fair,” he stated. “The government doesn’t want to borrow any more money than it has to so they’re asking you to do it for them.” Pettapiece also told council he’s working with businesses and Chambers of Commerce in the riding to oppose the government’s plans to establish an Ontario Retirement Pension Plan. He said the 1.9% premium the plan would place on both employers and employees would have a negative impact on business and employment in the province. “It’s going to affect a lot of people,” stated Pettapiece.
Building booming in Mapleton in 2015 by Patrick Raftis MAPLETON - Building activity continues to boom in the township, the latest 2015 figures indicate. “It was another great month - about triple what we did in April last year so things are going pretty good,” chief building official Patty Wright told Mapleton council in a report at the May 12 meeting. The township issued 45 building permits for construction valued at about $8.1 million last month, the report indicates. That generated nearly $61,000 in permit fees.
In April 2014, 27 permits were issued for construction valued at about $2.4 million, generating $19,644 in fees. So far in 2015, 94 permits have been issued for construction valued at just under $25.5 million, resulting in almost $130,000 in fees. To the same point in 2014, 59 permits had been issued for construction valued at $4.1 million, resulting in just over $70,000 in fees. About $4.4 million worth of agricultural construction (20 permits) and almost $2 million (four permits) worth of
single family dwellings drove the numbers last month, with industrial construction worth 720,000 also a factor. Year to date in 2015, industrial construction worth roughly $11 million (nine permits) and agricultural building worth $6.3 million (35 permits) are the categories generating the most activity. Just over $3.7 million worth of permits (nine) have been issued for single family homes in 2015. Commercial construction has accounted for $2.6 million of the total so far this year (two permits).
Spring Rural Romp on this weekend in Mapleton, Minto and Wellington North WELLINGTON COUNTY - Local food and agriculture are highlighted during the annual spring Wellington Rural Romp. Wellington County - Taste Real’s Fifth Annual Spring Wellington Rural Romp will be held May 30, giving visi-
tors a taste of local food, an opportunity to experience local agriculture and find the story behind their food. A total of 15 farms, markets, gardens and restaurants in Mapleton, Minto and Wellington North will open their doors to the public for the Main St. W. Palmerston
PITCH PERFECT 2 Rated PG and 115 minutes long
SHOWTIMES: Friday and Saturday 8pm and Sunday 7pm
For more info call 519-343-3640 or visit www.norgantheatre.com
free, self-guided tour that runs from 10am to 4pm. Rompers will have the opportunity to meet with local farmers, visit farm animals, participate in farm activities and wander through unique rural gardens as well as purchas-
ing seedlings, flowers, plants, spring produce and local foods. New this year and inspired by Wellington North’s Butter Tart Trail, the Rural Romp is hosting a Butter Tart Challenge. Eight participating Rural Romp locations will offer
Weekly Wag saver.
a great time Prejudice is opinions You can form ts. to get the fac g n vi a h t u o with - E. B. White
their own unique butter tarts or butter tart-inspired desserts. Participants are encouraged to taste and share their butter tartrelated photos on Facebook or Twitter using #SpringRomp15. All entries will be entered in a draw to win a Butter Tart Trail
BILL’S
prize. Rompers are also encouraged to participate in the Spring Romp Photo Contest. Prizes will be awarded for the best photo in three different categories: farmscapes, family Continued on page 3
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