THE
SERVING THE MAPLETON COMMUNITY
COMMUNITY NEWS Volume 48 Issue 46
Drayton, Ontario
1 Year GIC - 1.85% 3 Year GIC - 2.19% 5 Year GIC - 2.35% Daily Interest 1.00%
638-3328
Friday, November 13, 2015
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McRoberts appointed CAO/clerk after extensive search process
Remembering them - Louis Latham reads the names of fallen soldiers from Mapleton Township at the remembrance ceremony at the Wellington County Museum and Archives on Nov. 5. photo by Olivia Rutt
No accidents since roundabout installed by Patrick Raftis MAPLETON - Local firefighters responded to 58 calls in the last four months, but none were at the site of a new roundabout in the township. Of the calls handled by the Mapleton Fire Department between June and September, 22 were medical related, eight were motor vehicle collisions (MVCs), 12 were fire calls, 12 were false alarms and four were calls of another nature. “Under the MVC column we have not had to respond to county road 8 and 12 since
the roundabout went in,” noted Fire Chief Rick Richardson. Fire department records indicate there have been more than 20 accidents at the intersection in the past 10 years. On April 2, 2006, a bus/car collision claimed one life and another fatal two-vehicle accident occurred at the intersection on March 25, 2012. A total of 19 people have been injured in accidents at the corner and firefighters were required to use extrication equipment on three occasions. “I just want to say how
much we appreciate the service that you provide for the residents of Mapleton and the motoring public that are not from here,” said Mayor Neil Driscoll. During the second quarter of 2015, fire department members received training in several areas, including: water supply, hydrants and pumping, pumper operation and portable pumps, driveway drop simulation, confined space rescue, auto extrication, aerial operations, water rescue, propane awareness and search and rescue.
Kinettes planning ahead for market, toy drive MAPLETON - This past summer saw the launch of the Mapleton Market, a venture led by the Kinette Club of Drayton aimed at bringing local growers and vendors to the community of Drayton. The market opened on May 30, in conjunction with the group’s popular Mom to Mom used children’s items sale, and operated independently most Saturday mornings throughout the summer, closing for the season on Oct. 3. Located inside the agricultural society building at the
fairgrounds, the market was able to run as a rain-or-shine event. Local artisans and crafters set up displays of unique finds alongside tables of locally grown vegetables and seasonal berries. The Kinette Club is planning to have the market become an annual occurrence and is asking residents of the Drayton, Moorefield and surrounding areas to consider joining the market while planning their gardens for next season. Moving into the fall season, the club is also planning for its
third annual toy drive. Donations of new, unwrapped toys can be brought to the Drayton and Moorefield Santa Claus parades as well as local dropoff points. The Kinette Club meets in Drayton on the first and third Thursday of each month at the Kin Club Room, 49 Elm St. Visitors are welcome. For more information about the club or Kinette projects, email draytonkinettes@gmail. com or visit the group’s Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/DraytonKinettes.
by Patrick Raftis MAPLETON - Council here announced the appointment of Brad McRoberts to the position of CAO/clerk following a special meeting on Nov. 4. McRoberts, the township’s public works director, has served as acting CAO/clerk since July 2, when former CAO/clerk Patty Sinnamon was let go. A press release from the township states the appointment “comes as a result of a search process that attracted qualified applicants from across Ontario and parts of Canada.” The recruitment process was conducted with the assistance of the consulting firm of N.G. Bellchamber and Associates at a cost of about $15,000. “We wanted to make sure we had the best candidate for the job,” said Mayor Neil Driscoll. “Even though we were pleased with Brad’s performance as director of public
works, and as acting CAO, we needed to be satisfied that we were making the best decision we could for our residents and for township staff.” One of McRoberts first duties as CAO will be overseeing the process to replace himself as public works director. Driscoll says that process is expected to get underway quickly, with a target date of Dec. 20 to assemble a list of candidates for consideration. “We want to fill the position by February at the latest,” he stated. “The nice thing is with Brad he can still do both roles, as challenging as it is, until we get the new one in place.” McRoberts initially joined the township in June of 2014, to replace former public works director Larry Lynch, who was dismissed in December of 2013. Budget process underway Mapleton council also held a preliminary budget meeting on Nov. 4. “What we did is just go
over the projects and the needs that we have,” said Driscoll. “Next meeting we want a report back from our treasurer and (McRoberts) on how do we finalize, or fund these.” The first draft includes operational expenditures of nearly $8.75 million against revenues of $2.65 million and a levy requirement of about $6.1 million. While those numbers represent an increase of more than 20 per cent from the 2015 budget levy of just over $5 million, Driscoll notes it’s early in the process, adding he feels it’s misleading to focus on percentages when dealing with budget figures. “The percentage isn’t big to me, it’s more what does it cost my taxpayer at home,” said Driscoll. “Puslinch could have a nine per cent increase and it’s only $20 dollars, whereas I could have a nine per cent increase and it’s $150. I just hate percentages. They cloud the real message.”
Steering committee comes to understanding on integration of local hospital governance FERGUS - The joint steering committee on local hospital governance integration reviewed and finalized a “memorandum of understanding” at a meeting on Nov. 4. “We are in unanimous support of the (memorandum) and will be presenting its content to the two hospital boards at a joint board meeting on Nov. 17,” states a joint press release from North Wellington Health Care
board chair Tom Sullivan and Groves hospital board chair Howard Dobson. At this meeting, the release states, the hospital boards will have an opportunity to participate in a discussion and pose questions about the memorandum. A resolution to approve the memorandum will be considered at board meetings during the week of Nov. 22.
Permit fee waived for clinic upgrade by Patrick Raftis DRAYTON – Township council has agreed to a request from the Mapleton Health Centre for permission to make some minor changes to the nursing station area in the clinic. The health centre will pay for the cost of the improvements. At the recommendation of chief building official Patty Wright, council also agreed to
waive the $100 building permit fee. Plans involve moving the nurse’s station into the current file room, which is in the centre of the building and create a “hub” for the nurses at the clinic. “We are trying to utilize every space we have. We have a physician’s assistant, nurse practitioner and four physicians
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and we have also become a teaching centre for medical students so we need all the rooms,” explained clinic manager Rosie Landman in an email. Wright said, “I have no issues with it. It’s going to be a very small renovation.” She suggested council waive the fee “as they are absorbing the cost of renovations” on the township-owned building.
Ground breaking - Mapleton Township officially broke ground on a new maintenance facility under construction at the township’s Sideroad 16 administration centre site on Oct. 27. From left: construction manager Ken McCoombs, councillors Michael Martin and Lori Woodham, Mayor Neil Driscoll, councillors Dennis Craven and Marlene Ottens, and public works director and CAO Brad McRoberts.
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photo by Patrick Raftis
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