Drayton Community News September 30, 2016

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SERVING THE MAPLETON COMMUNITY

THE

COMMUNITY NEWS VOLUME 49 ISSUE 39

DRAYTON, ONTARIO

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638-3328

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 30, 2016

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Mapleton moving to RFP stage on wastewater system design By Patrick Raftis MAPLETON - Council here has authorized staff to issue a request for proposals for design work to take the township’s wastewater treatment system to full capacity. Measures aimed at securing approval for an interim capacity increase from the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change (MOECC) were also approved by council on Sept. 13. In a report at the meeting, CAO Brad McRoberts explained township staff, the MOECC, GRCA, and EXP Services Inc. have been meeting over the past two months in an attempt to find solutions for the township’s wastewater capacity needs as part of the ongoing Wastewater Capacity Environmental Upgrade Assessment process. As a result of discussions, McRoberts said, “a path for-

ward� has been determined regarding MOECC concerns related to the extent of the mixing zone in the Conestogo River below the treatment plant’s effluent discharge point. The concerns are expected to be resolved based on a field verification study to be conducted this fall, at which point the ministry could accept the Receiving Water Impact Assessment, a critical component of the capacity upgrade Environmental Assessment. “The MOECC indicated that it would be willing to support an interim capacity increase if it can be demonstrated, as part of the Receiving Water Impact Assessment, that with optimization of the wastewater treatment system currently in place, an improved water quality discharge in conjunction with a partial increase to the rated wastewater

volume (750m3/day) can be achieved,� the report states. the said McRoberts MOECC has indicated the interim capacity increase would be conditional upon the township continuing to advance toward the full upgrade of the wastewater treatment facility within a reasonable time period. The CAO reported staff and GRCA officials are supportive of this approach as it can provide the following benefits: - a shorter implementation period that would allow some additional growth in the shorter term; - any optimization or capital investment required would be harmonious with the full upgrade; and - the process allows the township more time to secure government funding for the full upgrade of the wastewater facility.

Hall of fame farmer - A special unveiling was held at this year’s Harvest Home Festival at the Wellington County Museum on Sept. 25. Pictures of Mapleton resident Deborah Whale, centre, and other inductees were unveiled along on the wall of the Ontario Agriculture Hall of Fame for Wellington County. Whale was introduced by Kathie MacDonald, right, a director with the Ontario Agricultural Hall of Fame Association. Whale, the first woman to be inducted, has been a leader in the agricultural industry and was formally inducted into the Hall of Fame in June. MacDonald stated, “Whale is a trailblazer and a passionate advocate for the Ontario agricultural sector. She has been director and often chair of over 20 committees and was a founding member of the Livestock and Poultry Council. At present she is vice-president of Clover Leaf Farms Inc. Her leadership and vision has benefited agriculture locally, provincially and internationally.� Ron Hattle, president of the Wellington County Historical Society, helped with the unveiling. Photo by Bill Longshaw

SEE COUNCIL Âť 3

Tree cover on the grow in Mapleton thanks to joint effort By Patrick Raftis MAPLETON - Tree cover in the township continues to grow through the efforts of Trees for Mapleton and a variety of partners. In 2016, Trees for Mapleton (TFM), the Township of Mapleton and the Grand River Conservation Authority (GRCA) partnered to help private landowners

plant 735 trees in Mapleton through a rural non-farm (RNF) grant program. At the Sept. 13 meeting, GRCA forestry specialist Joseph Heeg explained in a report that three RNF landowners completed projects on their property this past spring. Funding was made available through a donation to the Township of Mapleton from NextEra Energy. A total

of $3,049 in grant money was put towards reducing landowners’ expenses for tree planting projects that had an installation cost of $5,479. “The implementation of these projects will provide many benefits to the landowners and the community, such as wind reduction over adjacent crop fields, wildlife habitat, and new carbon stores,� Heeg explained in

the report. In 2013 NextEra Energy committed $100,000 over five years to tree planting in the Township of Mapleton with TFM identified as the lead on the initiative. The GRCA carries out the tree planting program on behalf of TFM. On March 13, 2014 the TFM committee voted to make $10,000 of the annual $20,000 in NextEra funds

available to private landowners in Mapleton. 2015 was the first year that tree planting projects were completed with NextEra funding. The money is targeted towards landowners who want to preserve and enhance the environment through tree planting but do not qualify for existing programs that serve primarily large and/or agricultural properties.

“By making funds available to smaller projects, TFM is recognizing that the environmental benefit of these can still be high and they also contribute to an overall goal of increased tree cover in the township,â€? stated Heeg. The Township of Mapleton holds the NextEra funds on behalf of TFM. The GRCA provides an SEE TOWNSHIP Âť 3

Two fires in township Saturday By Caroline Sealey & Chris Daponte

Two fires in township - A house fire and barn fire in Mapleton Township kept firefighters busy for much of the day on Sept. 24. Fire officials suspect arson was the cause of a blaze in this abandoned house on the 16th Line. See related photo on page 2. Photo by Caroline Sealey

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MAPLETON - Saturday was a busy day for firefighters in northern Wellington County. A house fire and barn fire in Mapleton Township kept firefighters busy for much of the day. Luckily, there were no injuries or loss of life human or livestock - caused by either blaze. House fire Emergency crews were called to a fire at an abandoned house on the 16th Line of Mapleton Township at about 3:20am on Sept. 24. The house was fully engulfed in flames when firefighters arrived. Firefighters and equipment from Arthur and Mount Forest aided the Drayton

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and Moorefield stations at the scene, located between Sideroads 18 and 19. Hours after getting the blaze under control, fire crews returned to the property just before 5pm on Saturday to extinguish hot spots. Wellington North Fire Chief Dave Guilbault, who was among those to return later in the day, cited arson as the cause of the fire. Firefighters remained at the scene for a few hours. There was no initial damage estimate for the fire, which destroyed the house. Barn fire and Drayton The Moorefield fire stations were also called to the scene of a barn fire on the 12th Line in Mapleton at about 2:30pm. Mapleton Captain Eric

Deckert said because there are three adjoining hog barns on the property, firefighters from Arthur and Floradale were called as a precaution. encountering Despite heavy smoke upon arrival, firefighters were able to quickly ventilate the barn and had the fire knocked down by about 3pm. Deckert said all 250 hogs in the barn were saved and there were no reported injuries. He told the Community News the fire was electrical in nature, originating in the barn’s walls and ceiling. Fire officials said they were very pleased with the quick response and results. There was no damage estimate for the fire, which was contained to one area of the barn.

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