the
Serving the Mapleton Community
Community News Volume 46 Issue 48
Drayton, Ontario
1 Year GIC - 2.10% 3 Year GIC - 2.26% 5 Year GIC - 2.80% Daily Interest 1.55%
638-3328
Friday, November 29, 2013
www.jackfinancial.ca
Lynch: Cost of new washrooms at ball park could approach $90,000
Big contribution - Trees for Mapleton has received a five-year commitment of $100,000 in funding from Conestogo Wind LP, parent company NextEra Energy Canada. Pictured at a cheque presentation on Nov. 14 are, from left: Trees for Mapleton chair Liz Samis and committee members Paul Day and Gary Van Ankum, NextEra Energy Canada’s Derek Dudek and Doug McIntosh, Mapleton councillor Neil Driscoll and Conestogo Wind Energy Centre wind technician leader Jason Seelmann. submitted photo
NextEra makes five-year $100,000 donation to Trees For Mapleton MAPLETON - The township is about to get greener, with thousands of trees sprouting across the community as a result of a new partnership between Mapleton and Conestogo Wind LP, a subsidiary of NextEra Energy Canada. Through the five-year agreement, approved by Mapleton council on Sept. 24, Conestogo Wind will contribute $20,000 annually toward the Trees for Mapleton program. “This investment represents an important contribution to the program,” said Liz Samis, chair of Trees for Mapleton. “The financial support will go a long way toward our goal of enhancing Mapleton’s tree cover. We will use this contri-
bution in a way that will benefit all residents in the township. “More and more often I hear people commenting on the tree cover and windbreaks we have in this township - not only does it beautify our community, but the benefits of planting provide both short-term and long-term gains, particularly in helping farmers adapt to climate change.” Mark Funk, forestry specialist for Trees for Mapleton, said, “I’m excited about this opportunity to improve Mapleton’s landscape with the addition of more trees. In addition to the economic and environmental benefits of trees - creating oxygen and sequestering carbon - trees add to the aesthetics of the area. Trees for Mapleton
and the township will work to make sure these trees get planted in locations that will benefit everyone.” Doug McIntosh, regional wind site manager for NextEra, said, “We believe in actively participating in the communities in which we operate, beyond simply investing in renewable energy projects. “Supporting initiatives such as the Trees for Mapleton program gives us the opportunity to help communities realize local priorities. We look forward to our partnership with the Township of Mapleton, which will support our mutual goal of creating a greener and more sustainable community.” Trees for Mapleton is an Continued on page 5
Township agrees to maintain county road by Patrick Raftis MAPLETON - The township has agreed once again to provide winter maintenance on a portion of a county road in the township. However, council has asked staff to investigate associated liability risks. At the Nov. 12 Mapleton council meeting, public works director Larry Lynch reported the county requested the township carry out winter operations (plowing, sanding and routine patrolling) on Wellington Road 45 through the Village of Glen Allan. Lynch noted the township has handled the task for a number of years. “We are once again requested to carry out the same duties in 2013/2014 at a compensation rate of $5,800/km,” Lynch stated in his report. “The pe-
riod of maintenance would run from Nov. 15, 2013 up to and including April 8, 2014. The compensation amount takes into account the estimated cost of equipment; time to carry out winter operations, fuel, maintenance and so on.” The report estimates the township will receive $44,080 for maintaining the 7.6km stretch of road. Lynch provided a summary of costs over the past six years, indicating compensation from the county has risen to its current level from $3,000/km and a total of $22,800 in 2007-08. “With a contract on this, do we assume liability for these roads?” asked councillor Mike Downey. “I don’t believe we do,” responded Lynch, noting the
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township contracts out maintenance of some municipal roads, but retains liability. Mayor Bruce Whale noted the township would be required to ensure the roads are maintained to standards. “If there’s an accident on one of these roads. Do we have the documentation to back up our services?” Downey asked. “I would say at this point probably not,” replied Lynch. Whale said, “It’s a good point. Let’s clarify it with the county.” Lynch agreed to question county operations manager Paul Johnston on the subject of liability. Council approved the report and agreed to accept the maintenance contract at the offered level of compensation.
by Patrick Raftis MOOREFIELD - One estimate pegs the potential cost of new washroom facilities for the ballpark here at more than $87,000. However public works director Larry Lynch said staff will look for savings in the construction process to lower that figure. Lynch provided Mapleton council with a preliminary design and cost estimate for the facility at the Nov. 12 meeting. “For some time now staff have been dealing with complaints regarding the poor condition of washroom facilities at Maryborough Park,” Lynch stated. “This block building structure is grossly undersized, poorly laid out and has become a favorite target for vandalism.” Noting staff have upgraded toilets and sinks, and repainted, enhanced lighting, and added an accessible washroom, Lynch states, “the fact remains this facility is outdated and no longer meets the requirements for this busy facility. Two additional portable units are rented annually to facilitate usage requirements.”
Earlier this year, council directed staff to initiate design of new washrooms. After looking at facilities in other municipalities and assessing the appropriate site in Moorefield, it was determined enlarging the current concession facility to accommodate washrooms was the best opportunity to centralize the facility for all park users, Lynch said. He pointed out the food service area would also be enlarged in the proposed design. Staff have met with the Moorefield Athletic Association, which Lynch said likes the proposed location. Lynch provided council with a first draft of the proposed washroom facility, designed by Moorefield resident Ben Dobben, a member of the local Optimist Club. Lynch also provided an estimate to construct the facility - at a price of $87,857. “This design has not been vetted through our building department yet and, of course, we will look at every opportunity to reduce costs,” Lynch noted. He recommended pro-
ceeding with construction of the foundation this fall and requested council direction to proceed. He pointed out there have been discussions with the Moorefield Optimists regarding a financial contribution from the club, but no formal agreement at this point. He also noted the township would save the cost of renting portable washrooms once the new facility is built. Councillor Jim Curry stated he would like to see a financial plan in place to “see where the funding is all going to come from,” before proceeding to the construction phase. However, councillor Mike Downey pointed out getting the foundation in place this fall would help avoid interfering with activities at the park next season. “If you plan on early spring, your going to foul up the whole ball season. If you get the foundation in this fall, the whole process moves up by a year,” said Downey. Council received the report for information and directed Lynch to update council on the project at the next meeting.
Mapleton to appeal lagoon assessment by Patrick Raftis MAPLETON The township plans to appeal an increased tax assessment on its lagoon property. On March 25 deputy treasurer Teresa Armstrong submitted a request for reconsideration to appeal the new assessment for the two roll numbers that apply to the lagoon. At the Nov. 12 council meeting, Armstrong reported the Municipal Property Assessment Corporation (MPAC) decided the roll numbers could be consolidated as the properties have the same use and are under the same ownership. This resulted in one of the properties being assessed at zero, while assessment on the other property was
increased by 316 per cent. “MPAC has advised that the increase is due to the fact that sewage lagoons are typically assessed at the full industrial land rate and historically lagoon lands have had very low assessment and they are fixing them as they come across them,” Armstrong stated. “As this property was subject to a sale and consolidation, it triggered MPAC to look at the property codes and the assessment. MPAC has also advised that ownership of the land is not taken into consideration when they value a property. Our argument is these properties should not be valued at full buildable industrial land rates due to the use and [that] they will not be exposed to
open market sales and would not sell for the current value amount.” Armstrong added “other municipal buildings are exempt.” She continued, “I have spoken with Emma Reddish, our property tax analyst with the County of Wellington, and she also agrees that we should appeal this assessment.” “It’s a big impact for us,” finance director Yufang Du told council, explaining the change would cost the municipality an additional $76,000 between now and 2016. “We want to do whatever we can to try and keep that reasonable,” said Mayor Bruce Whale. Council voted unanimously to appeal the assessment.
Lapsed water heater lease results in refund by Patrick Raftis MAPLETON - The township has some extra cash in its arena reserve fund as a result of a staff investigation into what turned out to be a lapsed lease for a water heater at the facility. Finance director Yufang Du explained at the Nov. 12 meeting that council had previously directed staff to look at the options for buying or renting the water heaters at the
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PMD Arena. Staff conducted the investigation and found the lease expired four years ago for one of the hot water heaters, but the company continued to charge the rent. “We recently received a $5,467 refund from Reliance as the result of this investigation,” Du stated in her report. Council accepted Du’s recommendation to place the refund in the PMD Arena reserve fund.
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Du noted it would offset the recent expenditure of $3,254 from the reserve for facility booking software and help maintain the reserve at an adequate level. Council members commended staff for their efforts, which resulted in recovering the funds. “This is money coming in anyway, and that’s a good thing,” commented Mayor Bruce Whale.
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