SERVING MAPLETON AND MINTO
THE
COMMUNITY NEWS VOLUME 51 ISSUE 51
1 Year GIC - 3.06% 3 Year GIC - 3.30% 5 Year GIC - 3.60% Daily Interest 1.50%
638-3328
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 20, 2018
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Mapleton to form citizens committee to look at remuneration for council By Patrick Raftis
Project Dress-A-Child - Drayton Heights Public School students, from left: Sophia Cummings, Ivy Burt, Grayson Burt, Sam Brunkard, Cason Ewart, and Emmett Devries display some of the warm clothing collected by kindergarten students for those in need. Submitted photo
Kindergarten students earn cash for Project Dress-A-Child DRAYTON - Kindergarten students at Drayton Heights Public School learned some valuable lessons about the value of work and money while helping others through Project Dress-A-Child. The school’s three kindergarten classes worked on chores at home, such as cleaning their room or
cleaning up after dinner, to earn small amounts of money that was donated to the class fund used to purchase items for snowsuits. Items were purchased as money came in and the snowsuits donated to those in need. Teacher Amanda Schnieders said, “We talked about three lessons:
- parents work hard to earn money so we may have things such as snowsuits; - it’s important to take care of our belongings since it takes a lot of hard work to earn the money to buy them; - some people do not have the money to buy new things and we can help out.�
MAPLETON – A citizens committee will be formed to review council remuneration in this municipality. The formation of a committee was suggested by councillor Michael Martin on Dec. 11, after council reviewed a report on council remuneration from CAO Manny Baron. The report recommends council direct staff to increase council members’ pay to address the pending removal of a one-third tax exemption for municipal councillors. As part of its 2017 budget, the federal government introduced measures to eliminate tax exemptions for nonaccountable expense allowances paid to elected officials, effective Jan. 1, 2019. “A discussion needs to be had regarding what happens in 2019. Do we do nothing, or do we raise the salary to offset the loss of pay with the elimination of the one-third tax exemption?� Baron asks in the report. The report indicates that in order to keep council
members’ net pay the same, bi-weekly salaries for councillors would have to increase by $9.26, while the mayor’s pay would have to go up by $48.63. The total cost to the municipality for the increase would be about $2,227. “The mayor and council’s role is extremely important to the vitality of the township,� Baron states in the report. “The decisions they make affect every aspect of the township’s business. Taking away the one-third exemption was, in my opinion, unfair, and we should make the decision to reimburse the difference. “Although it may seem negligible when presented on a bi-weekly basis, it does add up over a four-year term.� Martin asked if council would consider deferring a resolution to accept the recommendation and form a citizen committee to look at council salaries. “Do this once and for all. Just look and it and be done with it and perhaps address the one-third,� Martin suggested. “Give them a mandate to just look at the compensa-
tion that council receives. Whether we go up or down it’s up to them. Kind of leave it wide open.â€? He added, “I think that would be a really interesting discussion I would love to see that feedback.â€? Mayor Gregg Davidson said, “We certainly want to look at it and ensure that the citizens are involved in this – absolutely.â€? “I agree with that,â€? said councillor Dennis Craven. “I’m in favour of a citizens group looking at this,â€? said councillor Marlene Ottens. Councillor Paul Douglas said, “To me it’s not a big ticket item, so I’m okay with waiting and seeing what direction we decide to go on this.â€? Baron advised council, “the numbers presented in the report will be presented as a benchmark to go up or down from ‌ As councillor Douglas points out, it’s not a huge amount, but in all fairness it should be based on the one-third being addressed.â€? Council agreed to defer the resolution and to form a SEE COMMITTEE Âť 3
Township engages consultant to look into alternative infrastructure finance methods By Patrick Raftis MAPLETON – Council has engaged a consultant to look into alternative methods for financing some infrastructure projects. The decision was made following an in-camera session at a special meeting of council on Dec. 4. The agenda indicates
council closed the meeting to consider “advice that is subject to solicitor-client privilege, including communications necessary for that purpose; Presentation, Re: Wastewater.� After the closed session, council passed a resolution to “direct staff to engage BLG Corden Ladner Gervais in exploring alternative water
and wastewater methods of financing and infrastructure renewal.� CAO Manny Baron told the Community News the township is looking for ways to fund these type of projects without using up the township’s borrowing capacity. This could involve an approach using “the PUC model� he explained, where
water/wastewater and infrastructure projects could be financed, but repaid through rates, rather than taxes. He said there is no RFP process to select the consultant because BLG is among the few with the necessary expertise. He said consulting costs may be encompassed within eventual RFPs for the SEE CONSULTANT Âť 3
‘Trendy Trains’ public art will be unveiled in Palmerston The exhibit will be displayed in Palmerston’s downtown core, the Palmerston Lions Heritage Park and the Palmerston Railway Heritage Museum from June to October. The town’s initial “Cool Cones� public art project in 2018 saw ice cream cone art pieces placed around Harriston’s downtown area.
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“Trendy Trains� will see 10 artists adding their art and craftwork to a steel train sculpture to create unique works of art. The “Trendy Trains� will be unveiled at an event on June 8. People’s Choice judging will begin at this event and continue until Aug. 23 at 9am. The winner will be announced on Aug. 24 at the
Minto Farmers’ Market and will receive $500 in prize money. While displayed in Palmerston the exhibit will be supported with a brochure highlighting each “Trendy Trainâ€? and artists and will include sponsor information. The deadline for design submission is Feb. 25 at 4pm. SEE PUBLIC ART Âť 2
WEEKLY WAG
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MINTO - From Cool Cones to Trendy Trains, a public art project initiated in 2018 will continue next summer. The Pa l m e r s t o n Downtown Revitalization Committee and Minto Cultural Roundtable are inviting artists to submit applications to participate in an outdoor public art exhibit called “Trendy Trains.�
“The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.� - Mahatma Ghandi
Bee buddies - Norwell District Secondary School teacher Avery Swinkels and the art tech class built a beehive and installed it in the school’s garden. Norwell held Bee Week recently, during which the Eco Club spread awareness about concerns over the effect of neonicotinoids and other pesticides on bees. Eco Club members Chloe Collins and Elizabeth Doney check out the hive. Submitted photo
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