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Serving the Mapleton Community
Community News Volume 44 Issue 44
Drayton, Ontario
1 Year GIC - 1.90% 3 Year GIC - 2.35% 5 Year GIC - 2.75% Daily Interest 1.75%
Friday, November 4, 2011
Township insurance premium up 9% in 2012 Alma hall, inflation part of increase by David Meyer MAPLETON TWP. - Council here heard a presentation on its insurance policy from Brown Insurance Brokers on behalf of Frank Cowan Company Limited – and learned a couple of things about the industry at the same time. First, insurance is expensive. After the presentation, council approved the bill of $165,150 for 2012, plus applicable taxes. That is up 9% over the 2011 premium of $151,752. The 2010 figure was $147,934. Several of the township limits for coverage reach $25 million, including coverage for council, staff and millions of dollars worth of buildings and equipment. It also includes insurance for such things as environmental disasters that could occur with the sewage treatment plant, and bonds to cover the township if there is criminal activity by staff. There is $28.5 million in replacement costs for township property as part of the package. There is also life insurance for council and staff. Councillors are covered if they are injured or killed while on council business. The insurance representatives suggested councillors keep a log book noting their activities on behalf of the township. Councillor Neil Driscoll asked about coverage in township owned parks if someone has an accident. That occurred in Rothsay over the past six weeks. Insurance representative Steve Smith said the township has $25 million in liability insurance if there are lawsuits. Those park structures are also insured for fire and vandalism, and Smith noted the adminis-
tration has asked the company to inspect parks equipment to determine if it is safe. The Rothsay Park was closed for repairs after a swing broke. Councillor Jim Curry said he has never used a log book when doing council business. It is a grey area in some cases. Curry might be on personal business and meet someone who wants to discuss a municipal issue. Smith told him, “We take your word you’re doing something for the municipality.” Curry also noted he sits on a housing board, and wondered if he is covered for that. Smith said an incorporated board would have its own insurance. Curry said the township has a number of volunteers, and wondered if they are covered by township insurance. Smith said volunteers are covered. Curry then asked to have staff check to determine if the Maryborough township housing board is a committee of council or if it stands on its own. Mayor Bruce Whale said minor sports carries their own insurance, but wondered about people who rent ice time at the PMD Arena. Smith said Frank Cowan provides some coverage, and with outsider rentals, the person who signs the rental agreement is covered by his homeowner’s policy on separate coverage. Whale wondered if structural deficiencies are covered. Smith said they are insured. Whale then asked about the increase in township assets by nearly $2 million, and wondered if that is because of the new Alma Optimists Hall. Smith said that hall added about $1.2 million in value to Continued on page 8
Pumpkin presentation - Maryborough Public School students took part in a pumpkin event last week and were recognized for their creations in a number of categories, including scariest, funniest and most resembling a staff member. More photos on page 8.
Fire department calls for accidents are up by David Meyer MAPLETON TWP. - Fire Chief Rick Richardson has no explanation for why there were so many accident calls for the fire department in September. It is likely that no one else has one either. The township’s fire department answered six accident calls in September; an average
of one every five days. “Accidents are way up,” he said, adding, “There were no weather problems.” The department also had two medical calls and four fire calls over the course of the month. Also, on Sept. 6, 38 members of the department attended a training seminar on extrication. On Sept. 13, 19 members
attended a Mutual Aid meeting in Erin. Fire departments do not consider boundaries when a neighbouring municipality needs help. If they are called, for help, they respond. As well, if fire fighters plan an event, neighbouring departments are regularly designated to take those calls. On Sept. 20, 18 Mapleton
fire fighters attended a medical training session, and they completed their training for the month on Sept. 27, when 35 of them attended a ventilation session. Representatives from Mapleton also attended a trade show in Erin and also did a fire prevention display at the local market garden.
Four new homes for township in September by David Meyer MAPLETON TWP. There were four building permits issued for new homes in September, Mapleton councillors heard at their Oct. 25 meeting. Deputy chief building official David Kopp estimated those permits have a construction value of $1.08 million. That brings the number of single family dwelling permits
to 33 for the year, and that estimated construction value has now reached $7.6 million. Kopp also collected $4,110 in fees for new homes last month, bringing the total for that category this year to $35,410. The building department also issued six permits for accessories for single family homes, and four more permits for additions or renovations to that type of home.
There were only four agriculture related permits issued in September, but that brought the total number of them to date to 88 - by far the largest category for permits this year. There has been $7.91 million worth of agriculture-related permits issued in the township this year. Kopp said the estimated value of construction in 2011 is now over $21 million, and
he has collected $182,490 in permit fees. Councillor Neil Driscoll wondered about the category for “agricultural” related building and if that means “barns or houses.” Kopp said he would have to check that, and added he provides council a much more comprehensive report of the building department’s activities at the end of the year.
Downtown work complete, but Drayton businessman has questions by David Meyer MAPLETON TWP. - Most of the downtown revitalization work has been completed, but a business operator who would like to spruce up his own building told council on Oct. 25 the price has become prohibitive. Ken Thompson, of Drayton Funeral Chapel, told council the company decided to work on its building while sidewalks and other work was being done to beautify the downtown. But he ran into a problem with Hydro One. Thompson explained Hydro One’s policy is nobody can work within ten feet of the
power lines, and “the cost is astronomical” to work with hydro to get around that rule. “I can be fined,” he said if he puts a ladder against his building to do work. “It’s hard to do the right thing when your hands are tied.” Thompson said “things are different” today from when the lines were put in close to buildings on the street. For once thing, voltage changed and working near lines has become a safety issue. He talked with Hydro One officials and learned it would cost nearly $1,600 to isolate a transformer so the work could
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be safely done. He wondered if Mapleton Township has any funds left over from the sale of the old Drayton Hydro (to Hydro One many years ago) and if that could be used to offset the hydro fees. He said his business and a variety store are interested in sprucing up their properties. Township treasurer Mike Givens said he would have to check to determine if there are any funds left from that sale. Thompson also had an issue with the way sidewalks were raised, and how the work affects some driveways. He
said in his own driveway, the sidewalks created new angles, not to mention a tripping hazard, as well as the possibility that the funeral coach or a limousine could “bottom out” because of the new angle of the driveway. Public works director Larry Lynch said he told contractors to stay out of private driveways when working for the township. Thompson said others in town had work done to their driveway, and he wondered if the contractors took it upon themselves to do it. He said he had a quote to do his driveway
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for $1,200. Mayor Bruce Whale told Thompson council would not be able to address the issues that day. Thompson then asked if Hydro One can at least clean up some hydro line issues that have little to do with power supply today. He said there are three transformers in front of his buildings, and he believes at least one is disabled and could be removed. Whale agreed it would be nice if Hydro One could relocate some of the lines and transformers “away from the downtown.”
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Whale told Thompson he appreciates his efforts at beautification in the downtown. Thompson replied, “It’s a start. I hope others will follow.” Council directed staff to produce a report on the issues Thompson brought up, and to find out about any money left over from the sale of Drayton Hydro. Councillor Jim Curry did not hold out much hope about that money. “If there’s a nugget there I’ll be surprised,” he said, believing, “It was used for water and sewer years ago.”
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