THE
SERVING THE MAPLETON COMMUNITY
COMMUNITY NEWS Volume 49 Issue 28
Drayton, Ontario
1 Year GIC - 2.08% 3 Year GIC - 2.30% 5 Year GIC - 2.40% Daily Interest 1.00%
638-3328
Friday, July 15, 2016
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Council rethinks development charges after small business hit with huge fee for shop
Unusual pets - Toronto’s Hands on Exotics animal shelter employee Amanda Corbett and shelter resident Velcro, an African crested porcupine, were part of the Stars of Africa interactive presentation, held at the Drayton library on July 5. Unlike his Canadian counterpart, Velcro’s quills are not barbed. He fans out his quills, rattles his tail and runs backwards, keeping his quills intact while warding off predators. The “Wild” themed summer program at the library will operate throughout the summer with a number of activities for local children. photo by Caroline Sealey
Roundabout at ‘S-bends’ under consideration by Patrick Raftis GUELPH - Wellington County’s roads department is considering postponing construction on a planned roundabout at Teviotdale in favor of installing one at the intersection of Wellington Roads 8 and 9. On June 30, county council approved a roads committee recommendation to proceed
with a roundabout feasibility review for the intersection of Wellington Roads 8 and 9. Known locally as “the S-bends,” the intersection is shared with Perth County, meaning an agreement would have to be reached with Perth if a roundabout were to be constructed, as 50 per cent of the cost would be paid for by Perth.
A staff report from county engineer Gord Ough notes that during the annual spring road tour of Mapleton Township, the intersection of Wellington Roads 8 and 9 was reviewed due to a high incidence of accidents and a fatality in 2015. “The intersection has poor geometry wherein Wellington Road 8 approaching Wellington Road 9 has an ‘S’ curve that
continues through the intersection and onto Perth Road 91,” Ough noted in his report. “The ‘S’ curve creates less than optimum sight lines at the intersection and may contribute to driver error and, in turn, the higher incidence of accidents.” Ough said attendees on the road tour agreed the intersection should be reviewed for the Continued on page 6
by Patrick Raftis MAPLETON – Council here wants to ensure local development charges don’t become an impediment to small business growth in the township. At the June 28 meeting, council directed staff to consider options to reduce development charges for projects such as workshop construction in rural areas. Council was reacting to correspondence from Mapleton resident Elmer Bearinger, whose family operates a small welding/repair shop in the Moorefield area. Bearinger had applied for a building permit for a planned new workshop but was stunned to learn the project would be subject to $35,000 in development charges. “We were led to believe that we were now at the final stage and cost - the building permit. The actual cost of the permit at $4,700 we feel is very fair and we will gratefully and willingly pay it,” states a letter from Bearinger. “But when we were informed that our permit is ready, we were told the total amount is $40,000. This was quite a shock and our first thoughts were that there must be a mistake somewhere. After being informed that the added $35,000 was for development charges, we felt deceived, as we had not ever been informed of the possibility of being subject to these charges.” Bearinger notes he runs a small operation involving only two or three workers and, although he has tradesmen lined up to begin the expan-
sion, he is considering cancelling the project because of the development charges. “Perhaps $35,000 is considered as a small amount in the figures you are used to dealing with, but it is hard for a small business to justify this and simply absorb it. We are presently, and have for quite awhile, been paying commercial taxes. The proposed expansion would increase that amount substantially of which we are aware of and accept,” he states in the letter. Councillor Marlene Ottens asked “why this particular business is getting these heavy development charges and not other rural businesses?” CAO Brad McRoberts explained “in this case Mr. Bearinger is not being specifically picked out because of the type of business, but because it (the workshop) is new. New business is going to create a certain amount of service needs.” Councillor Lori Woodham wondered how the township could ensure future applicants don’t end up getting surprised by development charges. “How can we ensure that this doesn’t happen again? How can we be more transparent or open or how can we communicate this to the applicants that come in?” she asked. While noting he would be reluctant to provide a specific figure when an application is filed, McRoberts said, “we could make a person aware there is a development charges bylaw.” Mayor Neil Driscoll read a resolution directing staff to Continued on page 6
Grant and Edith Schieck recognized for 60 years of volunteer service by Caroline Sealey DRAYTON - An appreciation evening celebrating Grant and Edith Schieck’s 60 years of volunteerism in the community was held on July 7. The Schiecks received the Drayton Mapleton Agricultural Society’s Long Time Service Award. Presented for the first time, the award recognizes society members who have dedicated many years of volunteering for the organization. During the presentation treasurer Arlie Zantinge commented everyone always knew who to call when things needed to be done at the fairgrounds. The couple could always be counted on, she said.
They were also acknowledged by the Township of Mapleton with a certificate and a letter of recognition presented by Mayor Neil Driscoll A letter read by Mayor Driscoll congratulated the couple on their commitment currently and over the years to serving on a variety of committees. Their service with organizations and community groups “is outstanding” said Driscoll and the couple were thanked for giving so generously of their time as volunteers. The letter also stated that, “As true community leaders, volunteers are role models for youth, through your example
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future volunteers are shaped and a legacy of good will is passed on from generation to generation. Congratulations, your volunteer work is the foundation for a strong municipality.” In a third presentation, the couple received recognition from the Ontario Association of Agricultural Societies (OAAS) for 60 years of agricultural service. Presenting the award on behalf of OASS was Drayton Mapleton Agricultural Society President, Jim Zantinge. Both recipients shared a brief history of their volunteerism in the community. Family attended from as far away as Varney and Waterloo.
Lifetime of volunteering - An evening celebrating Grant and Edith Schieck’s 60 years of volunteering in the community was held on July 7. Edith, left, and Grant, centre, received the Drayton Mapleton Agricultural Society’s inaugural Long Time Service Award from treasurer, Arlie Zantinge. The couple were also recognized with presentations by the Ontario Association of Agricultural Societies and the Township of Mapleton. photo by Caroline Sealey
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