the
Serving the Mapleton Community
Community News Volume 47 Issue 31
Drayton, Ontario
1 Year GIC - 2.09% 3 Year GIC - 2.26% 5 Year GIC - 2.80% Daily Interest 1.55%
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Friday, August 1, 2014
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Sharing bylaw officer working out well by Patrick Raftis MAPLETON - Sharing a bylaw enforcement officer with two Perth County municipalities is working out well so far for the township, says CAO Patty Sinnamon. In a report at the July 22 council meeting, Sinnamon stated the first month of sharing the services of enforcement officer Maurita Boyle with North Perth and Perth East “has gone extremely well.” In June, the three municipalities agreed to shared costs, including wages (based on each municipality’s needs), cell phone, laptop, training courses, memberships to professional organizations, clothing and other equipment. In terms of identification, Sinnamon noted the bylaw officer is now wearing an offi-
cial uniform when out on calls. In a report, Boyle stated there have been about 200 calls regarding property standards for which files were all opened and closed to the end of June 2014. “Not all calls result in a file being opened. Many calls will be redirected to others such as noise and parking (enforced by OPP). Others calls are followed up with site visits and do not require further action,” Boyle stated. “In 2014 there have been three zoning bylaw files opened and all closed after follow-up.” Councillor Neil Driscoll asked if the appropriate number to call for bylaw concerns handled by the OPP is listed on the township’s website. “If it’s not, we can certainly add it,” said Sinnamon.
Heavy pulling - Competitors in the lawn and garden tractor pull at the Fergus Truck Show on July 26 included Jamie Lucas of Alma, left, shown in the midst of a 176-foot pull, and Jack Driscoll of the Drayton area getting ready to roll. photos by Patrick Raftis
Council agrees to contract Fire Marque to collect fire call costs by Patrick Raftis MAPLETON - Council has authorized contracting the services of Thornton-based Fire Marquee Inc. to provide emergency response cost recovery services for the township. At the July 22 meeting, council authorized entering an agreement with the company, despite the objection of councillor Neil Driscoll, who feels the process will result in increased insurance premiums for some taxpayers. Fire Marque representative Chris Carrier told Mapleton council at its June 24 meeting that most property insurance policies include fire department expense recovery clauses. “You do require some work to unlock the coverage,” said Carrier adding the pro-
gram would not generate extra paperwork for the fire department beyond standard incident reports being done anyway. Fire Marque charges 30 per cent of fees recovered and the company estimates Mapleton could generate about $14,000 in revenue, after the Fire Marque commission. In a report to council on July 22, Fire Chief Rick Richardson recommended council take advantage of the opportunity. “Fire department operations are almost exclusively funded through taxation, and traditionally there have been very limited opportunities to recover expenses incurred as a result of providing fire protection services,” he stated. “Most insurance policies provide coverage for an
insured property owner for a number of ‘insured perils’ including provisions for fire department expenses in varying amounts. Municipalities have not had the expertise or resources to initiate claims for cost recovery from insurance companies, but recently Fire Marque Inc. has developed Indemnification Technology, a program to assist in accessing monies available through insurance companies by initiating claims on behalf of the municipality.” Richardson told council he has spoken with chiefs of fire departments who have used the service and were pleased with the results. “People who have tried to recover these costs without going through Fire Marque,
they haven’t had much luck. They haven’t had much success at all,” said Richardson. He noted that payment to the fire departments involved “in no way affects the claim of the individuals who may have suffered a loss.” Payments are not deducted from those due to the policy holder, and the policy holders premiums are not affected by such claims, he stressed. “How can it not affect our premiums?” asked Driscoll, who also questioned how the company would collect for fire calls to properties owned by Mennonites. “Half of our agricultural population does not carry conventional insurance,” he pointed out. “They (Fire Marque) do not
go to the self-insured people,” responded Richardson. Driscoll wondered why the fire department needed to recover costs of responding to fires at all. “Are we in a position that it’s costing us money beyond the taxes that we pay to go out and fight fires? Then why do we need to re-collect that money?” he asked. Richardson explained, “Insurance companies have money in their policies for fire response. We’re just not recovering that (currently).” Driscoll then noted, “For them to get 30 per cent for the work that you do, to me that seems like a lot.” Mayor Bruce Whale said, “Until we kind of get the process in place, it’s better to use someone that has all the
knowledge. It gives us another avenue to try to recover some of those costs from people that use the service.” “We’ve already paid for those services,” insisted Driscoll. “We make sure the service is available. If in some way we can recover some of that cost, why wouldn’t we do it?” Whale wondered. Councillor Jim Curry pointed out insurance companies “are collecting a premium and not giving us anything back. I say we go ahead with it.” The motion to enter into a contract with Fire Marque passed with Curry and councillor Andy Knetsch in favour and Driscoll opposed. Councillor Mike Downey was absent from the July 22 meeting.
Tractors the theme of 158th annual Drayton Fair Aug. 8 to 10
Tractor theme - Tractors Big and Small, Come and See Them All is the theme of the 158th Drayton Fair, which opens Aug. 8 and runs until Aug. 10 at the local fairgrounds. Community News file photo
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DRAYTON – Saturday will be a busy day at the 158th Drayton Fair, which runs Aug. 8 to 10 featuring a theme of Tractors Big and Small, Come and See Them All. The gates open at 7:30am on Aug. 9 and exhibits start at 10 am, followed by the heavy horse, goat and dairy cattle shows. New on the schedule for 2014 is an antique tractor display, which runs throughout the day. All makes of tractors, big and small will be on display courtesy of local collectors. On Saturday only from 7:30am to 3pm, adult admission prices are $5. “There is no midway this year so the fair board is introducing new children’s events running from 12 to 5pm. Activities are geared towards children of all ages and abilities,” said Arlie Zantinge, treasurer of the Drayton Mapleton Agricultural
Society. Dobben’s True Value Hardware is sponsoring a colouring contest for this year’s fair. Winners of the contest will be announced during the demolition derby on Sunday at 2pm. Children are encouraged to come and play in the Mar-Span / Nieuwland Feeds’ Corn Boxes. Games co-ordinator Angie Culp has games planned for children of all ages at the ball diamond. A professional face painter will be on hand to lend a creative touch to the fair. There is no charge for face painting. For a minimal charge, a petting zoo, pony rides and three bouncy castles will be located near the exhibit building. Fair board member Natalie Green notes organizers are looking for live music featuring local talent. Performances run from
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12 to 6pm on Saturday in the music tent and musicians are encouraged to join in the fun. For more information call Green at 519-638-5093. Also on Saturday, at 1pm the garden tractor pull will begin, followed by the pet show at 2pm and baby show at 4pm. The OTTPA Tractor and Truck Pull has been moved to Saturday night beginning at 6pm. The modified farm tractor 8,000 class starts the competition. The last class of the night is super modified 4x4 pickup truck and tractor. Weigh-in time is 4pm. Admission prices for the fair are adults $10; 12 and under free. Weekend passes for adults: $25. Family passes, new to the fair this year, are $25 for a family of four. Volunteers are always welcome, fair organizers note.
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