THE
SERVING THE MAPLETON COMMUNITY
COMMUNITY NEWS Volume 48 Issue 25
Drayton, Ontario
1 Year GIC - 2.15% 3 Year GIC - 2.35% 5 Year GIC - 2.55% Daily Interest 1.25%
638-3328
Friday, June 19, 2015
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Children learn about farm safety at event in Mapleton by Caroline Sealey MAPLETON - Waterloo Rural Women’s 20th Annual Children’s Farm Safety Day was held on June 13 at the dairy farm of Rick and Doreen Shantz on the 3rd Line of Mapleton Township near Wallenstein. The day involved handson learning activities and games regarding safety on the farm. Organizing committee chair Susan Martin said, “We went big this year because of our 20th year.� Despite ominous weather, Martin said, 144 children were in attendance. “Even though it threatened rain we stayed dry and every child learned more about farm safety,� said Martin.
Fire safety instruction - Floradale assistant fire chief James Martin helped each child extinguish a simulated fire with a fire extinguisher at the Waterloo Rural Women’s 20th Annual Children’s Farm Safety Day on June 13 at the Mapleton dairy farm of Rick and Doreen Shantz. Floradale firefighter Marv Diefenbacher assisted with the demonstration. Martin taught children about the different classes of fire extinguishers and their use. photo by Caroline Sealey
Plan to recycle asphalt, concrete at pit raises concerns among neighbours
by Patrick Raftis MAPLETON - Consideration of a zoning amendment to allow an asphalt and concrete recycling operation has been deferred to allow planning staff to consult with Ministry of Natural Resources officials on the MNR’s role in monitoring potential for groundwater contamination. Moorefield Excavating has applied for a zoning amendment to permit the additional use of recycling asphalt, concrete, bricks, etc. in a small existing gravel pit on Concession 17 near Wellington Road 109.
An area of just under a halfacre would be used to stockpile the material, which would be blended with sand and gravel. Wellington County manager of planning and environment Mark Van Patter said the company, which purchased the property within the past year, would like to provide the local area with recycling of asphalt, concrete, brick and similar materials, which would be crushed and blended with sand and gravel on site. Van Patter said Jerry Roubos of Moorefield excavating anticipates the local area might be able to generate 3,000
to 5,000 tonnes of used material to recycle annually. Once the aggregate on site has been depleted, no further recyclable materials will be permitted on site. The pit is currently licensed for the extraction of 30,000 tonnes per year, which is, Van Patter noted, “quite small compared to other pits in the county.� Van Patter noted the Wellington Federation of Agriculture, in a letter received “fairly late in the day,� indicated concern the project “likely has a high potential for groundwater contamination.� The planner said he was
“fairly sure,� such concerns would be monitored by the Ministry of Natural Resources, and asked council for time to consult with the ministry. Roubous said his company’s proposal would meet ministry requirements regarding groundwater issues. “We have reviewed those requirements as well and our site plan will reflect what the ministry is asking. We feel that we’re up to speed on that, and we’re following what they want.� While noting the use complies with provincial policy, Van Patter said the current
Mapleton zoning would not allow it. He added he didn’t foresee any “negative impacts� from the proposal. “They’re proposing to generate three to five thousand tonnes of this material and, really, generate a place where we can get rid of this stuff. Otherwise it ends up in a land fill which we don’t want,� said Van Patter. Mapleton resident William Hinks, who lives adjacent to the site on Wellington Road 109, pointed out “bringing in foreign material significantly increases vehicle traffic and creates a situation that is cer-
tainly somewhat dangerous.� Hinks said the potential health impacts of recycling foreign material “are of utmost concern,� adding “it is very possible, even probable, the property in question will likely become a dumping site in the future.� He added, “I question whether an extensive investigation has been conducted to the satisfaction of all concerned.� Another neighbouring resident, Kevin Kidnie of RR4, Arthur, asked if any hot mixing would be done on the site. While stating, “I don’t have Continued on page 3
Council considers water/waste water fees in preparation for metered system
by Patrick Raftis MAPLETON - Township water system users are facing a rate increase, with Moorefield residents paying slightly more than those in Drayton, if the township accepts recommendations in a recently completed water and wastewater study. With council set to consider a new fees and charges bylaw at its June 23 meeting, Dan Watson of Watson and Associates Economists Ltd. outlined options from the study at the June 9 meeting. The township operates two separate water systems and wastewater systems in Drayton
and Moorefield. All customers in both communities are currently charged monthly flat rates for both water and wastewater. Certain customer categories, such as large commercial, municipal or institutional system users, are charged using a rate multiplier based on estimated water use. The township has installed water meters for the approximately 800 users in Drayton and 190 users in Moorefield and is in the process of switching billing to a charge that will include a monthly base charge and a consumptive charge. “We’re recommending a Main St. W. Palmerston
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very traditional rate structure where you have a base charge based on the meter size,� plus a charge per cubic metre of water usage, Watson explained. Based on the relative size of the systems, the study recommends a charge of $2.50 per cubic metre would be required to recover costs for Moorefield and a charge of $1.54 for Drayton. “Because of economies of scale you can have a lower rate in Drayton, but it results in a higher rate in Moorefield,� he noted. However, the consultants are recommending combining the usage rates and charging
system users in both communities $1.73 per cubic metre, while charging Moorefield residents a slightly higher monthly base rate, $15, as opposed to $13 for Drayton residents. Piggybacking encouraged “You’re still recognizing there is a difference between the two systems and we kept the base charge different to address it,â€? said Watson, adding other areas municipalities, including Centre Wellington, Minto and Woolwich, follow a similar practice. “When you have a financially unfeasible system ‌ piggybacking is something the
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province actually encourages,� Watson pointed out. “Yes, Drayton would be subsidizing Moorefield customers, but it’s a best practice to make the Moorefield system more financially feasible.� Councillor Dennis Craven asked if Watson could foresee a day the Moorefield system wouldn’t require subsidization. “You would really have to reach the point where you had the same number of users,� Watson replied. Projected water rates include 10-year capital spending forecasts of $3.71 million in Drayton and $365,000 in
Moorefield for water. For wastewater services, the capital plan totals $5.51 million in Drayton and $1.03 million in Moorefield. The forecast includes some major projects, such as a new standpipe/water tower in Drayton and wastewater capacity increases in both communities. “You’ve had rates stay the same over many, many years ‌ that’s part of the reason rates are going up now,â€? said Watson. “Compared to running your own system, it can be pretty cheap,â€? stated Mayor Neil Driscoll.
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