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Serving the Mapleton Community
Community News Volume 47 Issue 25
Drayton, Ontario
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Friday, June 20, 2014
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Public works director hired by township
Maryborough Public School celebrates 60th anniversary School carnival - LEFT: Hunter Rumph, 7, prepares to give some angry birds a ride on a giant slingshot at the Maryborough Public School 60th anniversary celebration and school carnival on June 13. ABOVE: Marvin Bailey of Listowel Pentecostal Church brought the church’s Reignforest youth program train to give rides to local youngsters at the event. photos by Patrick Raftis Additional coverage on page 2.
Chinese delegates visit Mapleton farm by Kris Svela MAPLETON - Dairy farmer and township mayor Bruce Whale welcomed a Chinese delegation to the farm he operates with his son Korb and his family on June 13. The family’s philosophy is not just to take care of the land, but to improve it, and they consider Clovermead Farms a living example of what happens when the “triple bottom line” is considered – environmental responsibility, social equity and financial viability. “A lot of farms in Ontario and Canada are family farms,” Whale told the delegation, which included Chinese Consular General Fang Li and Deputy Consul General Xu Wei. A long list of environmentally-beneficial practices have been undertaken at Clovermead Farms. In 2012, the Whales installed an anaerobic digester that turns cow manure into biogas, which in turn produces electricity and transforms the dry matter into a source of clean bedding and/or high quality fertilizer that has fewer weed seeds and pathogens than
regular manure. They have also committed to maintaining a minimum of 10 per cent of their land base as wildlife habitat and forest, with wildlife corridors made of tree rows to connect woodlots and streams. In the last 40 years, the Whales have planted roughly 50,000 trees as part of their forest management and efforts to stabilize stream banks and reduce wind erosion through windbreaks. Practices to reduce waste, water consumption and energy use are also considered at the farm every day. For example, the water that is used to precool milk is used as drinking water for the cows, and the waste heat from cooling the milk is used to heat water. Buildings are designed with the idea of function and longevity in mind; built to last and flexible enough to be added to or renovated if farm needs change. The Whales also use natural ventilation, as well as energy efficient lighting, heating and cooling. On the 450-acre farm, the family has about 135 milking
Trade tour -Chinese Consul General Fang Li chats with Mayor Bruce Whale during a visit to Whale’s Mapleton farming operation. Li was part of a delegation that toured Wellington County on June 13. photo by Kris Svela
cows that produce about 3,500 litres of milk daily. “With 450 acres we can feed 150 to 180 cows,” Whale told members of the delegation. “That was my philosophy, but what my son does will probably change things. It’s a matter of feeding the cows and harvesting the milk.” The operation also involves breeding to sustain the herd,
Whale added. Delegates were interested in the processing of milk and silos located on the Whale farm where feed is stored and fermented. Li presented Whale with a two-disk set of traditional Chinese music, joking it might “increase production.” The visit was organized by Erin Mayor Lou Maieron who Continued on page 5
Information meeting planned on sewer backup by Patrick Raftis MAPLETON – The township will organize an information meeting for property owners in the areas affected by a recent sanitary sewer backup in Drayton’s core. Numerous commercial
and residential buildings were flooded by a backup from the township’s sewage treatment facility on April 11. At the June 10 Mapleton council meeting CAO Patty Sinnamon reported on an email sent to township officials by Main St. W. Palmerston
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Jerry Roubos, the owner of one of the affected buildings “He suggested we consider having an information session with those property owners,” to provide information on how to deal with sewer backup. She said Roubos offered to
provide information and host the meeting and requested the township provide the venue. Council directed staff to set up a meeting as soon as feasible for any residents or property owners in the potential flood zone.
Weekly Wag
ould Free trade sh e labor not mean fre Lynch - Stephen F.
by Patrick Raftis MAPLETON - The township has hired a new public works director. At its regular meeting on June 10, council passed a bylaw appointing Brad McRoberts to the position. McRoberts has 25 years of experience in public works, including senior management, having served previously with the Town of South Bruce Peninsula, where he was manager of public works, and the City of Owen Sound as director of operations. Prior to his work in municipal government, McRoberts was employed by ConestogaRovers and Associates for several years, and was involved in development and management for key projects with the Regional Municipality of Halifax, Department of National Defence, Cape Breton Development Corporation and Agri-Food Canada, as well as other private and public sector
organizations. “Mr. McRoberts’ academic and professional background will no doubt serve the municipality well,” said CAO Patty Sinnamon in a press release. She added McRoberts is a member of the Professional Engineers of Ontario and holds a Masters degree in public administration and a Bachelor of Applied Science in civil engineering. McRoberts will begin his employment with Mapleton Township on July 2. “On behalf of the Township of Mapleton, I invite council, staff and residents to join me in welcoming Mr. McRoberts as our new director of public works,” stated Sinnamon. Mapleton has been without a public works director since Dec. 11, when former director Larry Lynch was terminated. Consultant Nigel Bellchamber was engaged by the township to assist in the recruitment process.
Skate park site remains uncertain Council considers options by Patrick Raftis MAPLETON – The location of a proposed skate park in Drayton remains uncertain. After an extensive review process, on April 22 council approved locating the facility on the parking lot off John Street at Kinsmen Park. However, on May 13 council agreed to review the decision, after realizing a skate park on the site, which drew objections from numerous neighbouring residents, would also take up most of the parking lot. Council and staff have since considered two potential sites around the ball diamond at the park and have also revisited a Riverside Park location. At the June 10 meeting, CAO Patty Sinnamon reported on a meeting with Grand River Conservation Authority (GRCA) officials at the Riverside Park soccer fields. “They have no problem with a skate park going in there,” said Sinnamon. But she added the GRCA’s biggest concern is the distance between the proposed structure and the wetlands. Councillor Jim Curry spoke in favour of the ball diamond site. “Our number one choice is
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still the outfield just beyond the fence. If we were to put it at Riverside Park, I think we’re probably closer to residences there than at our number one choice,” said Curry, adding Mapleton’s fire chief is “quite concerned about the safety of that site at Riverside.” Curry pointed out that once skateboarders cross the bridge heading north from Drayton, there are no sidewalks and there is a steep ditch and more traffic with which to contend. Councillor Neil Driscoll said he felt the Riverside Park location would be preferable in terms of visibility. Sinnamon noted if a decision is not made very soon, it will be impossible to meet the next deadline to apply for funding from the Trillium Foundation to assist with the project. The Drayton Skatepark Committee is planning to apply for a Trillium grant for half the estimated project cost of $100,000. “I’m a little concerned we won’t be able to meet the July deadline,” said Sinnamon. Mayor Bruce Whale said, “If we get pushed back to September, let’s make sure we get this in the right place. That’s the important thing.”
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