Drayton Community News November 25, 2016

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SERVING THE MAPLETON COMMUNITY

THE

COMMUNITY NEWS VOLUME 49 ISSUE 47

DRAYTON, ONTARIO

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Council approves tentative plan to add excavator and operator By Patrick Raftis

Art sale - Dar Brubacher held an art show and sale in at St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church in Alma on Nov. 19. All proceeds from the sale went to the church. Brubacher has lived in Wellington County for about 40 years but has travelled the world taking photographs and uses them for various fundraising initiatives. The bridge photo in her hands was taken in Belize earlier this year and she will be travelling to Uganda in March. Much of Brubacher’s fundraising efforts have focused on Ethiopia where she helped raise money to build a water reservoir and is still fundraising to complete a road. Photo by Jaime Myslik

MAPLETON – Council has tentatively approved the purchase of an excavator and the hiring of a full time operator. While still pending approval through the township’s 2017 budget, council approved the move in principal during a special budget meeting on Nov. 18. Public works director Jamie Morgan explained in a report that staff identified approximately $52,000 worth of contracted third party excavator work that could be undertaken in-house if the township were to purchase an excavator and hire an operator. This does not account for the other time that the additional public works operator will spend to support other public works tasks while not operating an excavator. Morgan noted the operator would also support winter maintenance activities and would eliminate the need

Township aims to stay the course with budget By Patrick Raftis MAPLETON – “Staying the Courseâ€? is the theme of budget discussions in Mapleton this year. “Council knows we’ve been trying to go through a process to make us more ‌ able to address some of our infrastructure deficits as we go through,â€? explained CAO Brad McRoberts in a report to a special council meeting on the 2017 budget on Nov. 18. McRoberts pointed out staff are unable to determine the percentage levy, tax and blended tax increase this early in the process “as we have not received MPAC new assessments, we do not know the county or school board tax rate increases, nor do we know what the tax ratios are as established by the county.â€? Draft budget figures as presented at the meeting would result in expenditures of $9.85 million in 2017, up just over $1 million from the $8.77 million projected in the 2016 budget. Non-tax revenues are also expected to rise from $1.9 million budgeted in 2016 to about $2.9 million next year.

In his report, McRoberts noted roads and bridges continue to be the township’s largest single expense, eating up about 46 per cent of the budget. Administration, and parks and recreation, both at 13%, represent the two other largest areas of expenditure. Budget projections indicate higher revenues are anticipated from: - increased penalties and interest on tax receivables; - increased interest on banking and investments; - an increased Ontario Municipal Partnership Fund (OMPF) contribution from the province; and - increased gas tax and OCIF funding contributions. On the flip side the township is projecting reduced revenue for the PMD Arena Complex and Maryborough Community Centre. On the expense side, the budget projects a 4.4% increase (about $97,000) in total wages, made up of: - a general wage increase based upon the Consumer Price Index of 1.8%; - progression of staff through the township’s salary grid;

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- an increase in hours for two administrative support positions to 40 hours from 35; - an increase in deputy treasurer/tax collector position to 40 hours from 35 hours; and - the addition of an excavator operator (0.6 full-time equivalent). Other key factors affecting the budget include: - anticipated increases in utilities, insurance, telephone, computer and IT support totaling approximately $50,000; - increased fire dispatch costs of $12,000 plus $1.25 per resident; - increased building maintenance costs of $30,000; and - an apportionment of 10% of bylaw enforcement costs to general taxation as recommended in the township’s 2016 service review. Continued increases to reserves or capital contributions to fund capital projects anticipated in 2016 include an additional: - $85,000 for bridges; - $100,000 for roads; - $15,000 for fleet; - $90,000 for the PMD Arena Complex; and - additional principle and

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interest payments of $32,000 for bridges and $122,000 for roads. Major capital works projects in the draft budget include $1.2 million for McGivern Street improvements in Moorefield, a $1.4 million bridge project in Glen Allen and $1.1 million for other bridge work. Costs from the latter two projects could be defrayed if Ontario Community Investment Fund applications are approved, and some projects are contingent on funding. Mayor Neil Driscoll commented that projected increases in unconditional provincial grants through the OMPF, something local municipalities including Mapleton have been lobbying for for some time, are encouraging to see. The draft budget projects $735,500 in OMPF funding in 2017, an increase from 2016 when $714,500 was budgeted. “Hopefully the message has been sinking in a little bit at a time,� said Driscoll. The day-long meeting included discussions on the draft operating and capital budgets and five-year plan.

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for one seasonal equipment operator. The annual cost above the current staffing level to add an operator for an additional seven months, including benefits and salary would be $43,000, the report notes. The cost of an excavator and a float is estimated to be $200,000. Morgan projects the net cost difference, including both equipment and staffing, between contracting out excavator work versus purchasing an excavator would be $10,000 to $12,000 per year. Anticipated benefits include: - immediate access to an excavator with no scheduling issues and greater scheduling flexibility; - use of the operator for other public works job duties when not operating the excavator, alleviating staff shortages during peak times of the year and allowing for a fill-in for other staff during vacations; - availability of additional winter maintenance staff

during events which occur outside the seasonal staff employment period; - potential for shared services with other municipalities and associated cost recovery; and - potential for use of excavator on other projects as they arise. Service review Morgan pointed out the idea came out of a townshipwide service review initiated by council earlier this year. “Everyone knows the way to a good road is making sure your ditches are clean and you have proper drainage,â€? he noted, adding, “Our roads will last longer.â€? “In real terms you’re only adding about half a person,â€? commented councillor Dennis Craven. Morgan clarified that there would be an additional seven months worth of staffing added if the plan is approved. Councillor Marlene SEE EXCAVATOR Âť 4

Township cautions public about door-to-door ‘inspections’ MAPLETON The Township of Mapleton reports it has been made aware that some residents have been visited by individuals going door-to-door offering water meter inspections or water testing. The township cautions in a Nov. 21 press release it is not undertaking doorto-door water meter inspec-

tions or water testing. The township also advises it is not affiliated with any private company doing water meter inspections or water testing. Anyone with questions or concerns is advised to contact public works director Jamie Morgan at 519-638.3313 ext. 41 or JMorgan@mapleton.ca.

Fire safety talk focused on seniors By Caroline Sealey DRAYTON - Seniors and fire safety was the theme of the November congregate dinner hosted by the Seniors’ Centre for Excellence in Drayton. The Nov. 4 event focused not only on fire safety, but also on the role physical fitness can play in staying safe in a fire. Fire Chief Rick Richardson gave an overall view of the Mapleton Fire Department that includes the

Drayton and Moorefield stations. Each station has 22 volunteer firefighters with Richardson being the only paid employee. Through a recent campaign to attract new recruits the Moorefield station received five applications and the Drayton station, seven. Each firefighter is required to complete 200 hours of training on weekends, in designated areas of SEE RICHARDSON Âť 3

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