THE
SERVING THE MAPLETON COMMUNITY
COMMUNITY NEWS Volume 49 Issue 31
Drayton, Ontario
1 Year GIC - 2.08% 3 Year GIC - 2.30% 5 Year GIC - 2.40% Daily Interest 1.00%
638-3328
Friday, August 5, 2016
www.jackfinancial.ca
Mapleton agrees to split bunker gear washer with Minto
Quick action - Six trucks from the Mapleton Fire Department responded to a baler fire on Wellington Road 109 in Wellington North, west of Arthur, on July 28. Crews worked quickly, spraying water around the perimeter of the area. A baler, two acres of the wheat field and six large round straw bales were destroyed in the fire. photo by Caroline Sealey
Township writes off $1.6 million in assessment, refunds taxes by Olivia Rutt MAPLETON - Mapleton is writing off $1.6 million in assessment and refunding almost $5,000 to 16 properties. “These are structures that have either been demolished, razed by fire or moved off of people’s property,� explained Teresa Armstrong, deputy treasurer and tax collector.
“They have the right ... to have their assessment reduced, which ultimately ends in having their taxes reduced.� Property owners submit a form if a structure has been removed or if there has been a class change. The form is then submitted to the Municipal Property Assessment Corporation (MPAC), which
in turn advises the township of the revised assessment. The township then adjusts taxes based on the new assessment. The total refund for 2016 is $4,910 to 16 properties that had removed driving sheds, bank barns, silos and/or houses. One refund was due to fire destroying the house and another due to the house being “unusable.�
Councillor Lori Woodham asked for clarification on the “unusable� house prior to the meeting and found it has no windows, hydro or heat. “How would we ever monitor that ... (what if) a year down the road the property owner fixes it up as a house and doesn’t have to pay taxes? Continued on page 4
by Olivia Rutt MAPLETON - Council here has approved an agreement with Minto to split the cost of a decontamination washer machine for firefighter gear. At the July 26 meeting, Mapleton Fire Chief Rick Richardson asked council to authorize entering into the cost-sharing agreement and to purchase 42 sets of work coveralls. In his report, Richardson stated fire departments in Ontario have been purchasing a second set of bunker gear for each firefighter in response to the Ministry of Labour’s cleaning recommendations to prevent exposure to cancer causing materials. While an additional set of bunker gear costs around $2,000 per firefighter, Mapleton fire proposed buying department coveralls and share the cost of a washing machine with Minto. Mapleton currently sends firefighter gear to Kitchener to be cleaned at a cost of $100 per set. Firefighters are without their gear for a week through this method. The coveralls would cost $100 per firefighter and the machine costs $10,500 for the initial capital expense.
Richardson explained the tentative location would be the centrally-located Palmerston fire station. Councillor Michael Martin asked what the ongoing operating costs would be, but Richardson said that would be hard to tell because it would depend on how often the gear has to be cleaned. “Through our budget we will be saving some money by not sending to Kitchener every time or potentially every time, so there is those savings. But to say it’s going to offset the washing machine right away is probably not correct,â€? said Richardson. “But we are getting cleaner gear more often, which is what the province is pushing us to do.â€? Richardson brought in a pair of coveralls to show council. “These would be available to you to take your bunker gear off, put it into a contaminated bag ‌ these coveralls also act as work wear around the fire hall because right now people wear their everyday clothes,â€? said Richardson. Council approved the recommendation unanimously. “It’s nice to see the departments in other municipalities are working together like this,â€? said Mayor Neil Driscoll.
Drayton youth Isaac Dippel taking speedway by storm by Caroline Sealey VARNEY - A Drayton youth is driving his way to the top of his class. With encouragement from his father Dave, 12-year-old Isaac Dippel thought it would be fun to try stock car racing. After taking a few laps around the track in a stock car borrowed from a family friend and racer, Dippel was hooked. “It was nerve-racking at first, but I’m getting used to it. In the beginning I drove slowly, but each time I race I get more confident. I am getting a feel for the car and doing some experimenting,� Dippel said. He has always had a fascination with motors and motorized vehicles. He obtained his motorboat license in 2013 and spends winters snowmobiling with his family. When not racing stock cars in the summer months, Dippel leaves the motor behind and can be found sailing on Conestogo Lake. To date he has achieved a CANSail 3 Certificate.
Dippel races at Full Throttle Motor Speedway (formerly Varney Speedway) on Highway 6 between Mount Forest and Durham. The track has the reputation of being Canada’s fastest quarter-mile paved oval track. “I always tell people that I can get up to speeds of 95km/ hour so I am ready for the 401,� Dippel said. Competing in the Fun Stock class, Dippel had to meet all the requirements set out in the driver registration category and track rules and regulations. “As I am a youth, the seat had to be adjusted so I could reach the steering wheel and pedals. My dad basically built me a booster seat,� Dippel said. “We bought a parts car and my dad is a mechanic so that really helps.� Dippel drives a blue, yellow and white brightly painted 2002 six-cylinder Chevy Cavalier, with the number 18 boldly displayed in red on the driver’s door. In the four races Main St. W. Palmerston
STAR TREK BEYOND
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he has competed in Dippel has placed in the top 10 three times and in the top five once. He is the youngest driver in his class, competing against drivers of varying ages. “My best sponsor is my mom and dad, who own Dippel’s Family Garage in Drayton,� Dippel said. “My other sponsors are Elmira Auto Supplies Inc., Meulensteen Tire and Auto Service, Napa, Total Home Energy Systems and Drayton Food Market.� With pay out in the Fun Stock Class ranging from $70 for first place to $15 for 15th place and pit fees running at $25 per adult, plus the cost of gas, tires, repairs and driver equipment, it is easy to understand the need for sponsorship. The track season runs from April to September, weather permitting. Dippel plans to be racing on Aug. 6, 20 and 27 and Sept. 3 and 9. He would like to continue racing and enjoys helping his Continued on page 4
Summer stocker - Twelve year old Drayton resident, Isaac Dippel has spent the summer pursuing a new interest - stock car racing. Dippel races at Full Throttle Motor Speedway (formerly Varney Speedway) and has three top 10 finishes and one top five finish in the four races he has competed in.
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