THE
SERVING THE MAPLETON COMMUNITY
COMMUNITY NEWS Volume 49 Issue 24
Drayton, Ontario
1 Year GIC - 1.82% 3 Year GIC - 2.00% 5 Year GIC - 2.40% Daily Interest 1.00%
638-3328
Friday, June 17, 2016
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No evidence NextEra deviated from approved turbine haul routes
Hands-on experience - During the Celebration of Learning at Community Christian School on June 7 student Tyler Vandenberg showed his “Oma” Bep Vandenberg his class project that involved hatching and raising chickens. Tyler said it was fun feeding the baby chicks. LEFT: Grade 6 student Beth Abel displayed her life story titled God’s Perfect Plan for Me, at event. See article on page 7.
photos by Caroline Sealey
Township to make another attempt to obtain Canada 150 funding for community hall project by Patrick Raftis MAPLETON - The township will take another crack at getting federal funding to renovate the Maryborough Community Centre. In June of 2015, Mapleton applied unsuccessfully for funds to upgrade the facility in the first intake of the Canada 150 Community Infrastructure Program. The federal economic development agency
for southern Ontario opened a second intake for the program on May 31. A report presented to council at the June 7 meeting indicates township staff have reviewed the application guidelines and confirmed the Maryborough hall project continues to meet the eligibility requirements. The hall was built in 1967, during Canada’s centennial
year. “Township staff are requesting council authorize staff to submit an application to Intake 2 for the Canada 150 Community Infrastructure Program for the Maryborough Community Centre, with a total project value of up to $588,500,” states the report prepared by CAO Brad McRoberts. The report notes that if the
application is successful, it will require the township to commit $294,250 of municipal funding as early as the fall of 2016. “It is in our five-year capital plan,” the CAO noted. In response to a question from councillor Michael Martin, McRoberts explained “the bulk” of the work on the project would be done in early 2017.
by Patrick Raftis MAPLETON - The township is not planning any further action after investigating a resident’s concerns about the transportation route used by NextEra Energy Canada to bring turbine components to the Conestogo Wind Energy Centre. 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 when the facility was built in the summer of 2012. At the June 8 meeting, CAO Brad McRoberts reported staff were unable to confirm or refute Lamond’s assertions. “Right now as far as we’re concerned they used their approved haul route. We have nothing in our files to suggest they deviated,” said McRoberts. “I’m not trying to suggest the delegation was lying, but I just don’t have anything to sup-
port what he’s saying.” McRoberts said township staff reviewed the project files and could not find any indication that a deviation of the approved transportation haul routes was either requested or approved. Staff also requested in writing that NextEra confirm they did not deviate from their approved haul route or if appropriate approvals were provided from the township if they did. The company responded their records do not indicate they deviated from the approved routes, and therefore did not require any associated approvals. County of Wellington officials confirmed no requests were received by the county. “Township staff are not recommending any further action unless council is prepared to take a legal action and incur legal fees,” McRoberts notes in the report. “The township could also be at risk of incurring legal fees for all parties in any legal action.” Council received the report, but also directed public works director Jamie Morgan to look into how costs were allocated for previous repairs to the drain on Sideroad 17 around the time of the construction project. “We can do some research into when that was fixed and who fixed it,” said Morgan.
Active seniors making a difference throughout Northern Wellington by Patrick Raftis MAPLETON - “Seniors Making a Difference” is the theme of the 32nd annual Seniors Month and evidence of the difference they are making is on display across northern Wellington. The Seniors Centre for Excellence is focusing attention on the community contributions of seniors from Mapleton, Minto and Wellington North in a number of ways this month. The centre has compiled a video photo gallery of seniors in north Wellington in their volunteer/working roles, which can be found on municipal websites and social media outlets in the three communities. “One of the things we are also conscious of is promoting seniors as vibrant and active members of our society,” said centre coordinator Helen Edwards. The video recognizes “just a small fraction of the
Active seniors - Seniors making a difference is the theme of Seniors Month. Among the seniors making a difference in Mapleton are, from left: Pat Salter, who is involved with the Women’s Institute and Drayton Festival Theatre; Ken Pederson, who volunteers with the Seniors Centre for Excellence; and Canadian Diabetes Society volunteers Alice and George Van Ankum. submitted photos contribution that seniors make to our communities to keep them strong.” Similarly, a 2pm screen-
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ing of the British documentary Never Too Old For Gold at the Norgan Theatre in Palmerston on June 16 was aimed at
“showcasing seniors as active people,” said Edwards. The film follows a group of people aged 80 to 93 as
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they participate in a table tennis tournament in China. Contributing to their communities through volunteer and
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workforce roles is nothing new for most seniors, says Edwards. “It’s been a part of their life. It’s something that they’ve always done. They grew up volunteering with their church and their hospital,” she said, pointing out seniors, because of the time and expertise they can offer, are an integral part of any community’s volunteer base. “A lot of things would not move forward without the senior volunteer workforce.” The Seniors Centre for Excellence was established in 2008 when a group of area residents, including Deborah Whale and former Mapleton mayor John Green responded to a request for proposals from the Waterloo Wellington Local Health Integration Network. “Mapleton took the lead but it was supported by Minto and Wellington North as well,” said Edwards. Continued on page 4
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