SERVING MAPLETON AND MINTO
THE
COMMUNITY NEWS VOLUME 52 ISSUE 40
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THURSDAY, OCTOBER 3, 2019
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Energy consumption report: Mapleton not meeting its reduction targets By Aryn Strickland MAPLETON - The township has not met its two per cent energy consumption reduction goal this year, council was told on Sept. 10. A report presented to council compared energy consumption and gas emissions within municipal operations and recommended council approve changes to the township’s approach to analysis and recording. Energy Conservation and Demand Management (CDM) Plans are required under a provincial policy enacted in 2018 that also mandates annual reports on energy consumption and gas emissions. Public agencies are also required to establish fiveyear targets and energy saving plans for the period of 2020 to 2025. “Our overall target is to reduce consumption of all municipal operations by an average of 2% per year between 2012 and 2020,� the report states. Mapleton’s recent CDM plan, prepared by financial analyst Heather Trottier, compared energy consumption and gas emissions from 2012 with the 2017-18 fiscal year. According to the report,
Journey for Jasper - The More family hosted the fourth annual Journey for Jasper at Palmerston Lions Heritage Park on Sept. 28. In 2011, Jasper More, 10, was diagnosed with MPS, a rare syndrome that causes many tissues and organs to enlarge, become inflamed or scarred. Every year the 5km run/walk raises money for the Isaac Foundation supporting research into MPS. This year’s event was Italian-themed as it took place two weeks prior to the More family’s trip to Naples, where Jasper will undergo a newly-developed genetic-based treatment. This year’s run drew over 300 participants and raised more than $40,000. “We were extremely pleased with how the day turned out, despite the rain early in the morning. We are truly blessed to live in such a wonderful and supportive community,� said Pam More after the event. The More family, from back, includes: Daphnie, Pam, Clayton and Jasper. Photo by Aryn Strickland
Volunteers sought for local tree planting effort Riverside Park Organizers are looking for 30 or more volunteers to plant 450 trees. Volunteers may sign up at samisre@ highspeedfx.net or 519-6699209. “Come out and make a dif-
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ference in your community,� organizers urge. Day, one of the founders of Trees for Mapleton and the Green Legacy program and a member of the Grand River Stewardship Council, passed away on Sept. 27, 2016.
readings are not done at consistent intervals this tends to alter the results,â€? the report states. Trottier added council should expect to see water pumping increase to accommodate the new splash pad installed last year. “As there will be growth in both these areas in the next few years, a 2% reduction may not be a realistic goal in these categories,â€? the report states. History The CDM Plan was introduced in 2018, by the Ministry of Energy, Northern Development and Mines, through a new policy under the Electricity Act. In July, council approved using 2012 as a base year comparison as it was used previously for the township’s own Energy Conservation Plan for the years 2014 to 2019. “This initial energy plan ... saw significant reductions in electricity consumption when comparing 2017 to the base year of 2012 and had an overall reduction in natural gas,â€? a report from July stated. Moving forward To help reach its 2% goal, the report suggested changes to council’s approach to SEE ENERGY Âť 3
Minto approves reduced setback for barn addition By Patrick Raftis MINTO – The town’s committee of adjustment has approved construction of a dairy barn addition on the 6th Line, allowing reduced MDS setbacks for the barn and an accompanying liquid manure tank. Property owner Aden Martin applied for a minor variance to allow the addition to be located 88.3m (290 feet) from the nearest neighbour’s dwelling and 16.4m (54 ft) from the side property line. He also asked for a liquid manure tank to be located 126.7m (416 ft) from the nearest neighbour’s dwelling and 9.1m (30 ft) to the side prop-
WEEKLY WAG
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DRAYTON - Trees for Mapleton is hosting a community tree planting for the Paul Day Memorial Forest. The planting will begin at 9:30am on Oct. 19 in the forest, located at 57 Wellington Street North in Drayton, at
the township did not reach its goal last year because of an increase in “street light contracts and water pumping for utilities.� Those factors resulted in an 8% increase in the total electricity consumption, measured in kilowatt hours. Decreases However, there are already energy saving projects lined up that, according to the report, should help the township realize a decrease this year and next. “We have three energy savings projects in 2019 and one in 2020. These projects combined will save an estimated 52,654 kWh per year. This is only 1.56% of our total kilowatt hours,� Trottier wrote in the report. The report also found a decrease in electricity consumption in the township’s corporate facilities of 3.6% for 2017-18. Increases Conversely, the report found the township’s natural gas emission during that year increased 7.4%. Yet Trottier wrote in the report the findings on natural gas emissions may not offer a full picture. “This is due to meter reading timing in 2017 and an increase in usage in the Alma Community Centre. If
“Learn from yesterday, live for today, hope for tomorrow. The important thing is not to stop questioning.� - Albert Einstein
erty line. The town’s existing zoning bylaw requires minimum setbacks for the barn of 191m (626 ft) to the nearest neighbour’s dwelling and 19.1m (62.3 ft) to the side property line; and setbacks for the manure tank of 272m (892.3 ft) to the nearest neighbour’s dwelling and 27m (88.5 ft) to the side property line. County planner Jessica Rahim stated at a Sept. 17 public meeting the county has no issues with the request. “The proposed barn addition and new manure tank provides operational efficiency,� she stated in a report to the committee of adjustment, which consists of members
of Minto council. “The liquid manure tank is proposed to be built next to the existing farm building cluster and set back from the municipal drain on the subject lands.� Rahim added, “The application would maintain the general intent and purpose of the Official Plan and Zoning Bylaw, is minor, desirable and appropriate for the development of the subject property.� Minto building assistant Michelle Brown stated town staff have no concerns with the reduced MDS setback and noted no comments were received from surrounding property owners. “I’ve got great neighbours. No issues,� said Martin.
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