CommunityNews N O R T H
W E L L I N G T O N
Volume 53 Issue 11
Thursday, March 12, 2020
Wightman bringing fibre optics to Arthur MIKE ROBINSON REPORTER
Safety first - The Wellington Farm and Home Safety Association held its annual safety breakfast at St. Mary’s Hall in Mount Forest on March 7. The event featured displays on a wide range of farm and home safety topics. From left: Wellington County Princess of the Furrow Carmen Ward, Wellington County Queen of the Furrow Tate Driscoll and Ontario Queen of the Furrow Heidi Frey, also from Wellington County, were among those sharing safety information. More photos on page 3. Photo by Patrick Raftis
KENILWORTH - Fibre-optic internet lines are coming to Arthur very soon. Starting in early spring, Wightman will install more than 37 kilometres of underground fibre-optic lines throughout the village, connecting over 1,100 residences and businesses. The local communications company expects to complete the $6 million project, announced at the March 9 Wellington North council meeting, by the end of 2021. “For several years now, Wightman has been offering its services and has been a part of the Arthur community,” stated Wightman president and CEO Rob Figliuzzi. “It’s only appropriate that we now make the significant investment in a fibre optic infrastructure for Arthur with leading-edge technology that can
accommodate any home or business communications needs today and into the future.” Wightman officials say the Arthur project, the company’s 11th “fibre to the home” build, will provide customers with internet speeds as fast 1 Gbps (1,000 Mbps), as well as high definition television with the latest features, and digital home phone service. Wightman will open an Arthur location, at 148 George Street, in early April. “We are thrilled that Wightman is investing in the community of Arthur,” stated Wellington North Mayor Andy Lennox. “Arthur is a great place to invest and live, and having Wightman fibre available is a huge asset for our current residents and businesses, as well as prospective residents and businesses who want to move to Arthur.” Fibre-optic technology sends laser SEE FIBRE-OPTIC » 3
Town approves site alteration bylaw to mitigate conflicts PATRICK RAFTIS REPORTER MINTO – Local residents’ efforts to control the flow of water on their properties will now have to comply with a new site alteration bylaw to ensure they aren’t impacting neighbours. While Minto currently requires grading plans for new construction, the new bylaw will give the town the same control when there is no other approval process in place. “As council is aware, the pace of development in Minto is at an alltime high,” chief building official Terry Kuipers told council on March 3. Because, “a lot of the easy properties to be developed already have,” Kuipers explained, more low-lying properties are being developed. “We’re also seeing the effects of
a lovely thing called climate change. This is causing increased amount of rain or severity of the events in Minto and causing localized flooding in areas,” said Kuipers. “In addition to that, the tolerance of people for having standing water on their property seems to have decreased over the years. Property owners are starting to look at regrading of their properties.” Natural flows interrupted Kuipers pointed out such alterations can “interrupt what the natural drainage paths of those properties are, which causes backup of water onto adjacent properties, which is not a good thing.” Currently, Kuipers told council, the only tools in place to deal with new subdivisions where fill is required, or in regard to existing lots is through the town’s property standards bylaw.
Carnival on ice - The Drayton and District Figure Skating Club’s 2020 Skating Carnival was held on March 7. Mischa Adams dazzled the standing-room-only crowd with her solo performance. More photos on page 6. Photo by Jennifer Goertzen
“Unfortunately that tool is a reactionary tool, which means the work is done and if it’s not done properly then we have to go in, put some orders on, and make them redo it. It takes time, it upsets everyone … So the tools that are contained within this bylaw are trying to mitigate those concerns,” he explained. Kuipers stressed the new bylaw doesn’t seek to discourage either filling in of properties or modifications of grading on properties. “We just want to make sure that when it’s done, it’s done right, just to mitigate any potential conflicts,” he said. Councillor Ron Elliott asked what happens when the only way to drain a property is “to cause neighbours some problems. “Is it the responsibility of the builder to mitigate the concern with the
neighbours?” Elliott asked. “It would be. And each scenario is different. It could be a matter of installing private drains. It could be an extension of the municipal stormwater system to take in those flows,” Kuipers replied. Under the new bylaw, “You can’t essentially create a problem when you’re altering the grading of your property where it’s causing a problem elsewhere,” said Kuipers. Worst case scenario “In the worst case scenario if they can’t regrade or refill their property properly then they can’t do it.” Prior to the passage of the new regulation, Kuipers said the only control on re-grading situations was Maitland Valley Conservation Authority regulations that apply specifically in Harriston. The new bylaw states property
owners are required to apply to the town prior to altering their site, and: - submit plans designed by a qualified individual (engineer or surveyor, pending the scope of the alteration) detailing the proposed works; - identify the amount and location of fill being placed or scope of the site being regraded; - identify the duration the activities are being proposed; - identify the pre- and post-alteration conditions of the property and adjacent properties; and - identify the impact onto adjacent properties, through grading, erosion and sediment plans. A security deposit, equivalent to the amount required to restore the site to its pre-alteration condition, a stable situation or a condition that mitigates impacts onto adjacent properties, is required under the bylaw.
Carnival - Skate Canada Mount Forest presented its annual carnival - Hollywood: Then and Now - on March 8 with soloists and groups skating to music from dozens of movies. Skating to Mary Poppins, complete with bright yellow umbrellas, were the Junior A skaters: Ashtyn Truax, Savannah Copland, Shelby Van Tol, Naomi Skidmore and Lily Crouse. The afternoon featured guest skaters Kyleigh Dalley and Gaven Mahoney from Mariposa, the 2019 Ontario Pre-Juvenile Pair Champions, as well as the local Special Olympics Pair Team of Lewis Cremasco and Natalie Strevanus. Cremasco was a member of the Arthur and Area Skating Club for 25 years and the Mount Forest Club for 10. Strevanus has skated in Arthur for seven years. Mount Forest’s Connor Romanowski and Skate Canada Mount Forest’s Sydney West also performed. They skated as a free skate pair team in the preshow as “mini blades” at Battle of Blades in Mississauga last fall. More photos on page 12. Photo by Lynne Turner
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