THE
SERVING THE MAPLETON COMMUNITY
COMMUNITY NEWS Volume 48 Issue 52
Drayton, Ontario
1 Year GIC - 1.82% 3 Year GIC - 2.00% 5 Year GIC - 2.40% Daily Interest 1.00%
638-3328
Friday, December 25, 2015
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Costs for three-phase power shocks Mapleton council and staff by Patrick Raftis MAPLETON - It’s going to cost more than seven times as much as originally expected to extend three-phase power to the new Mapleton maintenance garage on Sideroad 16. In a staff report at the Dec. 8 meeting, CAO Brad McRoberts explained the township was advised by Chamberlain Architects in April that in order to operate the fire suppression pumps and wash bay pumps at the new facility, three-phase power would be required. Three-phase power is commonly used in industry and manufacturing because it can provide a consistent and efficient supply to large motors and other heavy loads. Mapleton officials considered either generator-provided three-phase or a direct feed from Hydro One. At that time the township was informed the rough estimate of the total cost would be $200,000 with the township and Wellington County’s share being $10,000 (the county is also building a maintenance garage at the site).
After a decision was made in conjunction with the county to proceed with a direct hookup, a new estimate was provided by Hydro One on May 15. That estimate pegged the total cost at $220,000 and the township/county cost at $30,000. On Nov. 20 a formal agreement on cost sharing was provided, placing the total cost at $249,948 and the township/ county share at $72,384. McRoberts noted in his report that after consulting with the township, Hydro One and the architects, the county had agreed to the additional cost. “Although the cost would be split with the county there still has been a significant increase in cost. Chamberlain has been instructed to carry 50 per cent of this cost in their contingency,” explained McRoberts in the report. “This does significantly reduce the contingency but there was no budget fund established for this significant cost increase ... the cost increase has primarily been driven by additional forestry costs.” McRoberts added,
“Unfortunately we are at a stage in the project whereby we cannot reverse our decisions and revert back to a generator system.” The net impact means the contingency fund for the project will be reduced from $238,788 to $202,595. While township staff have expressed concerns to Hydro One, McRoberts said they are supporting the agreement based on discussions with county officials and various consultants. “I found the information in this report absolutely mindboggling,” said councillor Michael Martin. “I don’t know how a business can operate that way; we’re kind of at a point here with our maintenance facility where I don’t know what other options are left … there’s a huge jump in cost.” Councillor Marlene Ottens said, “I wonder, since it’s Hydro One we’re dealing with, is this final number a final number that we are dealing with, or in another few months will they say ‘Oops?’” Continued on page 3
Township reconsiders grader purchase
Merry Christmas - Many horses and other animals were in the Alma Santa Claus parade on Dec. 20. The parade theme this year was ‘barnyard Christmas’. TOP: Kent Kelly, riding a toy tractor, and his family at Wark Milk Transport wished everyone a “mooy Christmas” at the Alma parade. ABOVE: Pat’s Snow Service and the Caplice family displayed a giant snowman, which may be the only snow locals see for Christmas. photos by Olivia Rutt
by Patrick Raftis MAPLETON - Township staff will explore other options after council rejected over-budget tenders for a planned grader purchase. At the Dec. 8 council meeting, a staff report recommended council authorize the purchase of a John Deere 872GP grader from Nortrax including a three-year (3,000 hour) extended warranty and a $35,000 trade-in allowance for a total of $361,951 plus HST. The tender was one of two received. The other, from Toromont Cat offered a $23,000 trade-in on a $380,000 grader leaving a total cost of $357,000 plus HST. The total budget for the grader purchase was $350,000
with $20,000 being funded from the trade-in value of the replaced grader. That put the net budget for the grader purchase, less the trade-in allowance, at $330,000 making the lowest tender $38,466 over the budget when non-recoverable HST was factored in. CAO Brad McRoberts suggested in a report the difference could be almost completely funded through surplus funds from under-budget fleet purchases in 2015, but councillors agreed to defer the decision on the grader purchase to a special budget session planned for the following day. Councillor Michael Martin suggested deferring the decision “just because of the capital
budget we’re looking at tomorrow and some of the challenges we’re looking at.” Councillor Dennis Craven asked if there would be any advantage in re-tendering the purchase. McRoberts explained that because existing bidders’ prices have already been made public, council would have to “give it a bit of time” before re-tendering. “Some suggest that’s as much as a year,” he stated. At the Dec. 9 budget meeting, council defeated the re-introduced resolution to purchase the John Deere grader and directed staff to “explore other short-term leasing options for a third grader in the gravel maintenance season.”
Council denies request to lower speed limit on section of Sideroad 15 by Patrick Raftis MAPLETON - A request to lower the speed limit on Sideroad 15 in the township has been denied. CAO Brad McRoberts reported at the Dec. 8 Mapleton council meeting that the township received a written request to have the speed on Sideroad 15 between Wellington County Road 8 and Concession 12 reduced from 80 to 60km/h. McRoberts reported traffic count data collected in 2015
indicates the average speed in the area is well below the posted speed limit, “suggesting that chronic excessive speed is not an issue.” However, he noted the traffic count speed data indicates up to 50 per cent of the users are exceeding the posted speed limit “suggesting that more frequent enforcement may be required.” Using the Canadian Guidelines for Establishing Posted Speed Limits, McRoberts said staff concludMain St. W. Palmerston
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ed the 80km/h speed limit is appropriate. “We do recommend however that staff request that police services periodically provide some enforcement,” he added. Councillor Dennis Craven said he favoured reducing speed in the area. “I think I can support reducing the speed limit. I would have trouble living with myself if someone was driving through there at excessive speed and some children were
hit,” Craven stated. McRoberts said, “One of risks we have - this is a chronic issue for municipalities posting speed reduction signs become political decisions. But by using Canadian Guidelines for Setting Speed Limits, it makes it consistent.” McRoberts added it might be different “if there were circumstances that were creating the concerns in terms of configuration of the road or the number of pedestrians that
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might be there.” McRoberts offered to create a draft policy for council to consider when evaluating such requests in the future. Councillor Lori Woodham favoured establishing a policy, “I would like to see this become policy - being able to have traffic count, data,” she stated. “I don’t want to have that political pull. This report is well written and it’s factual and I support it.” Councillor Michael Martin
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also favoured creating a policy. Craven urged council to take a cautious approach, noting motorists commonly drive at speeds above posted limits. “We know that if we put a 40 kilometre speed limit instead of 60 that doesn’t mean everybody’s going to drive 40.” A resolution to accept McRoberts’ report and leave the speed limit unchanged passed with only Craven opposed.
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