the
Serving the Mapleton Community
Community News Volume 47 Issue 17
Drayton, Ontario
1 Year GIC - 2.09% 3 Year GIC - 2.26% 5 Year GIC - 2.80% Daily Interest 1.55%
638-3328
Friday, April 25, 2014
www.jackfinancial.ca
Drayton Youth Centre plans volunteer event
Safety message - Walter Grose (a.k.a. Safety Sam), farm safety advocate and organizer of last Saturday’s Farm Safety Day, was joined by Fergus Fall Fair Ambassador Krista Fraser with some of the children attending the day-long event who received free hats from the Wellington County Farm and Home Safety Association. Several hundred people attended the event, held at Wray Brubacher’s farm on the 6th Line of Mapleton, to learn how to safely operate farm equipment and prevent accidents when working around heavy farm animals. The day also included safety tips for operating lawnmowers and weed trimming machinery. More photos on page 8. photo by Kris Svela
Objection raised to rezoning for apartment
by Patrick Raftis MAPLETON - Council here is considering an application for rezoning to allow the addition of a second-story apartment to what is currently a single-family residence on Snyder Avenue in Glen Allan. A public meeting was held on April 8 on the amendment to rezone the property at 5 Snyder Avenue to permit an accessory apartment and provide relief from the minimum front yard setback. The owner, Steve Frey is proposing a second-story addition to provide a second residential dwelling unit. The property is zoned unserviced residential (R1A), which does not permit an accessory apartment. Mark Van Patter, Wellington County manager of planning and environment, indicated the county is generally supportive of the applica-
tion. “We generally have no concerns with accessory apartments provided the additional unit can be adequately serviced. Council should determine whether the existing septic system is sufficient?” he stated in a report to council. Joe Dicks, who also lives on Snyder Avenue, expressed several concerns about the proposal, noting construction to expand the septic system could require digging up a portion of his property. “It can be done without going on the property, but obviously it would be better to have a little more space,” said Murray Martin, representing the applicant at the meeting. Dicks was also concerned about the capacity of the septic system. “You are literally doubling the capacity of the existing septic system. Nobody in this
room is going to tell me it’s going to handle double the capacity,” he stated. Dicks also wondered, “does this allow everybody on that street to do the same thing? In other words can I build another apartment on my property?” Van Patter replied that Dicks or anyone else on the street would have to go through the same rezoning process. Councillor Mike Downey noted the intent of the apartment is essentially to create “a granny flat,” and wondered if “garden suite” provisions would apply. Van Patter confirmed the apartment was intended for use by Frey’s parents, but noted to be considered a garden suite, the dwelling would have to be a separate building. “So if the Freys ever decide to leave that residence does it revert back (to single-family)?” wondered councillor Andy
Tenders for gravel all over budget MAPLETON - The township exceeded its 2014 budget for gravel maintenance, before the budget was even passed. Tenders for the 2014 annual maintenance gravel delivery and supply were publicly opened on March 19, with three tenders being provided. The low tender was received from Donegan’s Haulage at $210,200. The other bidders were: The Murray Group $241,600 (including HST) and Joe Kerr Limited $250,860 (including HST). The total quantity of material intended for placement on municipal gravel roads is 20,000 tonnes, consistent with 2012 and 2013 quantities.
Prior to the passage of the township’s 2014 municipal budget at the April 8 meeting, CAO Patty Sinnamon pointed out in a staff report the proposed 2014 budget allocation for maintenance gravel was $170,000. “Taking into consideration the HST rebate, the total expenditure is slightly over budget by approximately $20,000,” she explained. “Staff feel this can be dealt with later in the year, as we review other operational costs, and possibly funded through working capital reserves, this tender will meet budget allocations. Staff will make every effort to find cost savings throughout the year to cover the additional cost.”
Main St. W. Palmerston
Captain America: The Winter Soldier Rated PG and 136 Minutes Long
SHOWTIMES: Friday and Saturday 8pm and Sunday 7pm
For more info call 519-343-3640 or visit www.norgantheatre.com
Knetsch. While noting any rezoning would remain in place regardless of ownership changes, Van Patter said, “I suspect what will happen eventually is someone will buy it and it will just be a larger house.” “But that’s just an assumption,” replied Dicks. Following the public meeting, council passed a motion directing that a bylaw allowing the rezoning be presented for first, second and third reading at the next council meeting.
DRAYTON - The Drayton Youth Centre (DYC) is planning an information session for prospective volunteers and community members interested in learning more about the centre and volunteer opportunities. The volunteer event will be held on April 29 from 7 to 9pm. Anyone who would like to register or find out more about volunteering, is urged to contact board member and volunteer coordinator Brian Kamm at brian.kamm@gmail. com or 519-638-3875 for more details. “It can take time to build positive relationships, regardless of how old you are,” states Kamm in a press release announcing the volunteer event. “More so when you are a young person discovering who you are, what you’re good at, and what direction you want to take in life. Having a safe space to build these relationships, and participate in positive activities is an important part of fostering these opportunities. “The absence of these things can lead to ambivalence, boredom, and less-thanpositive choices when you are looking for something to do on a weeknight or weekend evening. The occasional mischievous act is what ends up standing out, when youth energy can be better directed to more productive uses.” Organizers note the DYC was born out of a desire to provide a secure, wholesome and Christian-based environ-
ment for the youth of Drayton and the surrounding area, where they can be encouraged to “excel socially, personally and spiritually.” Regardless of religious beliefs, the DYC provides an “open, accepting environment.” Local churches, businesses and individuals have embraced the youth centre through support of fundraisers, including the annual hockey tournament and mud run, as well as providing other financial and in-kind supports. “Quite simply, this support keeps the doors open, and the opportunities available for local youth,” says Kamm. Planning is currently underway for summer activities and required painting and flooring work. DYC volunteers are key to offering the drop-in three nights a week: Wednesday, Friday and Saturday evenings. “The importance of developing relationships is something that the volunteers recognize when they meet a youth for the first time, and as the youth begins to build a sense of trust and safety with the volunteers,” says Kamm. “It starts as chit chat over a game of pool, or taking part in a game of basketball during gym night. Later it’s talking about how school is going or relationship issues. “All of these things build trust and a sense of safety. These relationships provide Continued on page 3
Residents: Yatton Sideroad ‘a disgrace’ by Patrick Raftis MAPLETON - Residents along Yatton Sideroad feel the condition of the road is “a disgrace” and are asking the township to improve it. About 15 area residents were part of a delegation at the April 8 meeting, presenting council with a petition containing over 20 signatures. “This is a main road used by many trucks, buses and other vehicles. Some of us have requested that this road be upgraded and paved in the past and last week we were informed that it’s not on the agenda for the upcoming years,” the petition states. “We feel this is a disgrace to the township having a road in this condition. It would not be tolerated if it was in the Drayton or Moorefield area.” Councillor Andy Knetsch took exception to the sugges-
Weekly Wag
er all, Dreaming, aft lanning. is a form of p em - Gloria Stein
tion the road would be repaired if it was near Drayton or Moorefield. “I do not agree with that. We as a council do not play favourites, we look at the entire municipality,” said Knetsch. He added, “If one looks at some of the roads, for instance in Drayton, we are also in dire need.” However, councillor Neil Driscoll agreed little road work has been done recently in the area in question. “I do see your point - the bottom corner of what I call Peel township hasn’t had a lot of work for a while,” said Driscoll. Paul Bauman, a spokesman for the delegation, said he has lived along Yatton Sideroad for 45 years. “I’ve seen very little improvement to the base construction of this road and it
BILL’S
seems that every year it’s deteriorating,” he told council. “One of the biggest concerns we have is for road safety.” Bauman said the residents’ concerns focus on the stretch of the sideroad between Yatton and Floradale Road. He noted they understand that part of the road forms a boundary with Woolwich Township and encouraged council to work with that municipality to find a solution. “I’ll commit to having a close look at it when we go over our roads,” said Mayor Bruce Whale. However, the mayor said council couldn’t commit to specific action until the township has a new public works director in place. “I think we understand your concern and we’ll certainly see if we can come up with an interim and a longer-term plan.”
PAINT and COLLISION Specializing in... Collision and Complete Re-Finishing, One Mile East of Moorefield.
519
638-2048