Drayton Community News September 8, 2017

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SERVING THE MAPLETON COMMUNITY

THE

COMMUNITY NEWS VOLUME 50 ISSUE 36

DRAYTON, ONTARIO

1 Year GIC - 2.20% 3 Year GIC - 2.46% 5 Year GIC - 2.66% Daily Interest 1.00%

638-3328

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 8, 2017

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Flood action report recommends improved communication By Patrick Raftis MAPLETON – Measures to improve the flow of information are among the recommendations of an “After Action Report� on the June 23 flood in the township. However, the report also praised local officials for their efficient response. “This unprecedented rainfall event and subsequent flash flooding of many areas of the township required a reactive and quick emergency response,� stated the report from Wellington County emergency management co-ordinator Linda Dickson. “Efficient actions from the Township Control Group and staff along with supporting agencies allowed normal municipal operations to resume within a few days of the flood waters receding.� The report, presented at the Aug. 22 Mapleton council meeting, notes “significant rainfall� during the early morning of June 23 resulted in widespread flooding throughout the township, including Drayton. A declaration of an emergency, made by Mayor Neil Driscoll on June 23, lasted for seven days. “Flood forecasting data from the Grand River Conservation Authority (GRCA) recorded a one-day rainfall total exceeding any levels since 1950,� the report states. It also notes there was little warning about the

Flood impact - An “After Action Report� on the June 23 flood event in Mapleton Township. provides a number of recommendations, including measures aimed at improving the flow of information, for responding to similar incidents in the future. Community News file photo extent of the rain that would ultimately fall in just a few hours. “The rainfall amounts that fell during this event were not noted in any weather forecast leading up to the event,� states the report. “Forecast messages received just before midnight on June 22 showed possibility of severe thunderstorms but no rainfall warnings were noted.� Through the event, both the Conestogo River and Moorefield Creek were moving heavy volumes. “While there were no structures affected by the Moorefield creek, these vol-

Guelph-area residents test positive for West Nile virus GUELPH - Public health has confirmed two local human cases of West Nile virus. Officials say these are the first human cases in the region this year, but three mosquito pools in Guelph tested positive for West Nile and a bird was confirmed to have the virus in July. “There is reason to be concerned that West Nile virus could be more prevalent in the coming weeks,� said Shawn Zentner, health protection manager at WDGPH. “It’s important for people

to be extra cautious and protect themselves against mosquito bites when outdoors this late in the season.� West Nile virus is most commonly spread to humans by mosquito bites. When infected, some people will experience flu-like symptoms. In extremely rare cases there is the potential of inflammation of the brain and spinal column which may result in permanent disability or death. Adults over the age of 50 are most at risk SEE OFFICIALS  7

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umes did contribute to the flows in the Conestogo Dam and the subsequent response by GRCA staff at the dam,� the report notes. Throughout the day on June 23, the township’s Municipal Emergency Control Group met frequently to review and assess information from public works, the fire department, Ontario Clean Water Agency (OCWA) and many supporting agencies, including the GRCA, Ministry of Municipal Affairs, public health and Wellington County. Numerous homes and businesses in downtown Drayton and along Wood

Street/Elm Street experienced flooding, primarily in basements. The fire department along with Christian Aid Ministries assisted by pumping out basements. Township staff worked with hydro and gas utility companies to disconnect services from many buildings in Drayton. A bypass from the Drayton Wastewater Pumping Station was necessary beginning in the early afternoon of June 23. The Ministry of Environment and Climate Change was notified of the emergency bypass. The drinking water system was not affected, but

as a precaution Wellington Dufferin Guelph Public Health requested additional sampling throughout the weekend and into the following week. A media release about the sampling advised those on private wells to be cautious and to test. Many roads were flooded and/or washed out, and bridges and culverts were damaged, requiring extensive repairs to the township’s road system. Those included a slope failure on 3rd Line and damage to the bridge abutment on 3rd Line east of Wellington Road 12. Roads staff spent the weekend assessing and repairing roads and by June 26 all roads were re-opened, except for two which had extensive damage. Glen Allan was significantly impacted by flooding, including extensive damage to Glen Allan park. A debriefing on the situation, involving GRCA, township and county emergency management officials was held on July 26. The group noted the things that went well during the incident included: - the flood warning maps developed for the township were an asset; - the fire department took the information from the mapping and was able to conduct a door knock campaign to warn residents and business in the area of potential Level 3 flooding; - township staff was able

to assess potential impacts to infrastructure and take appropriate actions; - the GRCA captured high water marks to confirm extent of flooding (this will provide good data for future flood events); - the Control Group exercise in the fall of 2016 and public information session in March 2017 were good preparation tools for this event; - internal communications were handled well; - the township received positive feedback from businesses and residents about the response and information they received during the flood (on June 26 staff delivered damage assessment forms and spoke with residents and business owners); - emergency information was handled locally and worked well; - social media proved to be an important emergency information tool; and - the new stilling basin at the Conestogo Dam functioned as designed, as the event involved the second highest discharge from Conestogo Dam since it went into operation in 1958 (discharge reached 400 cubic metres per second, which is second only to an event in 1974 at 450m3/s.) Officials noted there is a need to document the extent of the flooding from the June 23 event. Good information was received from utility companies regarding shut-off SEE FLOOD REPORT Âť 7

County apologizes for ‘defective’ garbage bags By Community News staff WELLINGTON COUNTY - County officials have apologized for providing “defective� and “substandard� garbage bags and have vowed to replace them. “Production issues have resulted in the inconsistent quality of the bags,� states an Aug. 30 press release from the county’s Solid Waste Services (SWS) division. “We are actively working with our supplier to resolve these issues as quickly as possible.� Anyone who receives “substandard� bags can call SWS at 519-837-2601 or 1-866899-0248 or email wasteinfo@

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wellington.ca to arrange delivery of replacement bags (provided they return defective bags). SWS has used stamped user-pay garbage bags since 2002. The bags are sold at various stores throughout the county for $2 per large bag and $1.50 per small bag. “As with any manufactured product, there is always the chance that the quality is not up to our standards or expectations,â€? officials stated. “We understand it is very frustrating when this happens and we ‌ sincerely apologize for any inconvenience this issue may have caused.â€?

WEEKLY WAG

“We must accept finite disappointment, but never lose infinite hope.� - Martin Luther King Jr.

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Bad bags - County officials have apologized for issuing “substandard� garbage bags and will replace them. Photo by Jaime Myslik

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