SERVING THE MAPLETON COMMUNITY
THE
COMMUNITY NEWS VOLUME 50 ISSUE 42
DRAYTON, ONTARIO
1 Year GIC - 2.27% 3 Year GIC - 2.41% 5 Year GIC - 2.66% Daily Interest 1.10%
638-3328
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 20, 2017
www.jackfinancial.ca
Mapleton CAO resigns citing family considerations By Patrick Raftis
Blown away - A driving shed on the 16th Line of Mapleton was completely destroyed during a powerful wind storm Sunday afternoon. A portion of the building was blown into a home on the same property. Fire officials report no one was injured in the Oct. 15 incident. The shed contained a combine, tractor and other equipment. Photo by Olivia Rutt
High winds cause major damage Environment Canada suspects downburst, not tornado, struck area By Community News staff MAPLETON - A cold front pushing into the region produced winds up to 130km/h that downed trees and power lines across Wellington County on Sunday afternoon. Centre Wellington and Mapleton were seemingly the hardest hit by the Oct. 15 wind storms that pummeled southern Ontario, leaving thousands without electricity, including upwards of 1,000 homes in Wellington County. But Environment Canada officials say there were no confirmed tornadoes in the
province. “Everything we’ve seen ... all point towards downbursts,� said warning preparedness meteorologist Geoff Coulson. Those living near Arthur on the 16th Line in Mapleton Township, say the storm was nonetheless extremely powerful. “Everything happened in less than 30 seconds,� said Amanda Kabbes, who along with her husband Dan was hosting a church group at their home when the storm suddenly hit. “I was going to go outside to move the lawn chairs ...
and by the time I was zipping up my coat, I heard someone scream, ‘Get in the basement!’ “I looked up and it was just white (with rain). All you could see was the leaves against the window, and white, and the windows were shaking back and forth, and everyone was scooping up kids, because there was ‌ 12 or 13 kids here ... and dragging them to the basement.â€? Kabbes added, “By the time everyone got to the basement, it was over ... It was just barely raining afterwards. It was grey outside, but the wind was gone, it was
like one big gust.â€? Though a tree fell on their home, producing a loud “bang,â€? the Kabbes’ said they couldn’t see much due to the wind and rain, noting, “we didn’t see any rotation.â€? They said they were later told there was a tornado warning in the area. Holly Rogerson, who rents a home on the opposite side of the 16th Line, was not home when the storm hit the property, completely destroying a driving shed containing a combine and tractor, among other equipment. “That’s completely gone. Part of that roof ended up on the house, and that’s where the damage happened housewise,â€? Rogerson said, noting the roof of the home was SEE WINDS Âť 5
MAPLETON - The township’s Chief Administration Officer has resigned. Mayor Neil Driscoll and council announced the resignation of CAO/clerk Brad McRoberts on Oct. 13. A press release issued by the township indicated McRoberts is leaving to spend more time with his family. “I want to thank the council, staff and the Township of Mapleton for the opportunities they have provided me, both in my current and former positions,� stated McRoberts. “Based upon conversations with my peers, this council is one of the best councils in Ontario. This, in combination with a great staff and community, made this decision very difficult, but I must place a greater priority on my family and their needs.� Mayor Neil Driscoll stated, “We regret the loss of Mr. McRoberts but respect his desire to have more time with his family. “I am proud to have worked so closely with such a dedicated and caring employee who earned my respect.� Driscoll added McRoberts had “many accomplishments� with the township, “including but not limited to, the reconstruction of our new municipal maintenance facility, advancement of solutions to our water and wastewater capacity issues, and development of our multiyear capital needs forecast.� Driscoll told the Community News in a telephone interview on Oct. 13
that council was officially advised of McRoberts’ resignation on Oct. 12. He added the resignation of McRoberts, BRAD MCROBERTS who has accepted a position in a municipality closer to his Owen Soundarea home, is effective Nov. 20. “He will be our CAO until then,� stated Driscoll, who noted McRoberts has been driving about 90-minutes to work since he joined Mapleton’s staff. McRoberts was originally hired by the township as public works director in July of 2014. He became CAO in November of 2015. Prior to joining Mapleton’s staff, McRoberts had 25 years of experience in public works, serving previously with the Town of South Bruce Peninsula, where he was manager of public works, and the City of Owen Sound as director of operations. Driscoll said council was set to discuss plans for replacing the CAO at a special council meeting on Oct. 17. The item was added to the agenda of a previouslyscheduled budget meeting. “I would think council’s going to hire a consultant,� said Driscoll. He added, “Honestly I can’t see us doing it in house,� noting considerable time and expertise would be required. “It’s a pretty big position we’ve got to fill in again,� he noted.
Proposal for new tire shop in Moorefield raises concerns By Patrick Raftis MOOREFIELD - Mapleton council will await a more detailed site plan and a traffic study before deciding on a rezoning that would allow a tire sales and repair shop on a three-acre parcel of land along McGivern Street (Wellington Road 10) across from Maryborough Public School. At a public meeting on Oct. 10, Wellington County
senior planner Curtis Marshall explained the rezoning of the property would permit Moorefield Tire to build a shop for retail sales and repair of car, truck and agricultural tires. The amendment would also permit the use of private septic services on a temporary basis. The rezoning is a condition of a severance application granted provisional consent by the Wellington County land divi-
NOW SHOWING
BLADE RUNNER 2049 Friday and Saturday 8pm & Sunday 7pm RATED 14A AND 164 MINUTES
MAIN ST. W. PALMERSTON 519.343.3640 www.norgantheatre.com
sion committee. In a report, Marshall advised council the proposed use is not permitted by the current commercial zoning. He noted the township’s zoning bylaw also requires development within urban areas be serviced by municipal water and sewer. Use of a private septic system until municipal sewage capacity becomes available is proposed. Marshall told council con-
‘‘
cerns have been raised by local residents. “As part of the severance application, we’ve heard concerns from neighbouring residents regarding noise, screening landscaping, storage, buffering and traffic from the new use,� he said. “In light of these concerns and site design and compatibility policies within the county, we are recommending the applicant submit a revised site plan.�
WEEKLY WAG
“Kind words do not cost much. Yet they accomplish much.� - Blaise Pascal
‘‘
Marshall also pointed out a traffic study has been requested by the county engineering department. “We are recommending that council not make a decision on this application until this information has been received,� he stated. CAO Brad McRoberts read a letter from local residents Tom and Cindy Wood indicating concerns about noise generated from “a great deal of outside activ-
ity,â€? and increased traffic in the area of the school causing “a safety issue for our children.â€? Lloyd Brubacher of Moorefield Tire said part of the reason the group wants to move is to expand to reduce the need for outdoor work at the company’s current facility on Concession 8 in Moorefield. “Were out of space there and we don’t have enough SEE TIRE SHOP Âť 3
'5$<7216725$*( FRP ,QGLYLGXDO 6WRUDJH 8QLWV Individual Storage Units [ [ [ [ 5x10 10x10 10x15 10x20 6HDVRQDO ERDWV FDUV 59V ODZQ WUDFWRUV Seasonal VXPPHU ZLQWHU WLUH VWRUDJH boats, cars, RVs, lawn tractors, summer/winter tire storage