tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-813124403804330892024-03-05T09:24:04.092-05:00Erin InsightNews, ideas and images from the Town of Erin, OntarioPhil Gravellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13257146271785101694noreply@blogger.comBlogger794125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-81312440380433089.post-53464656866031588772018-08-24T09:18:00.000-04:002019-02-21T09:26:23.436-05:00Elora Mohawks are national Jr. B lacrosse championsMy first story for the Wellington Advertiser<br />
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By Phil Gravelle<br />
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ELORA - The Elora Mohawks came on strong when it counted at the Founders Cup tournament last week, winning the national championship for Junior B lacrosse in convincing style.<br />
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Players and team staff received their gold medals at a ceremony Saturday night, after defeating the Seneca WarChiefs 9-5 in a hard-fought game at the Turtle Dome in Akwesasne near Cornwall.<br />
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They were cheered on by a large contingent of supporters who travelled to the tournament, along with a crowd that gathered for a viewing party at the Elora Arena, organized as a food bank fundraiser by Centre Wellington Minor Lacrosse.<br />
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“Hey Elora, we did this for you,” tweeted Captain Klayton Hoelscher, who had seven goals and eight assists for the tournament. “No better feeling and no other town I’d rather bring this trophy home to.”<br />
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It was the first national title for the team since 2005. They had captured the Ontario Junior B Lacrosse League Championship on Aug. 9, defeating the Clarington Green Gaels in a best-of-five series.<br />
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Read more: <a href="https://wellingtonadvertiser.com/comments/index.cfm?articleID=41324">https://wellingtonadvertiser.com/comments/index.cfm?articleID=41324</a></div>
Phil Gravellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13257146271785101694noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-81312440380433089.post-55634443102358283192018-06-21T13:06:00.000-04:002018-10-03T13:15:16.813-04:00Erin water services outsourced<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 22.5pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial;">Erin’s drinking water systems are under new management.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial;">The town signed an interim agreement on June 11 with the Ontario Clean Water Agency, a crown corporation that will now deal with all aspects of local drinking water quality, delivery and infrastructure maintenance.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial;">“As we transition with OCWA, we would like to express to residents that there will be no delay or interruptions in regular water services,” said Communications Officer Jessica Spina.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial;">The systems in Hillsburgh and Erin village will continue to be owned by the municipality, with town council responsible for oversight.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial;">Members of the water department staff who expressed an interest in continuing to work on the local systems as employees of OCWA have been offered positions, while others chose not to join the Ontario Public Service.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial;">“We would like to thank the Water Department for the work and commitment to service they provided to the town and wish the individuals the best in their future endeavours,” said Spina.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial;">On April 24, council voted to enter negotiations with OCWA, based on a bid that promised savings of more than $200,000 in a five-year deal. This will allow more money to be saved for water infrastructure improvements and offset the need for water rate increases.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial;"> “There is tremendous savings in this, and we will be looking to them for advice on wastewater,” said Mayor Al Alls. “They were extremely pleased with the system, that it was well-run.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial;">Sections of the local systems are antiquated, prone to freeze-ups and leakage, and have been in need of replacement for some time. The town is searching for new well sites to meet provincial requirements for redundancy, and to support new residential and business growth.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial;">OCWA operates water and wastewater systems for more than 180 clients. They will now share liability with the town for any problems with the water systems.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial;">The agreement was signed by the CAO and mayor. The final contract had not been signed last week, presented to council or made available to the public. Alls expects that to happen soon.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial;">Customers can continue to call 519-830-8600 for any after-hours drinking water emergencies. For water billing and water meter support during regular hours of operation, call Town Hall at 519-855-4407 ext. 221. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Phil Gravellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13257146271785101694noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-81312440380433089.post-51835278024766487282018-06-14T12:59:00.000-04:002018-10-03T13:04:56.733-04:00Erin property taxes declining 1.8%<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial;">Assessment growth in other parts of Wellington County is lightening the tax burden on Erin residents, who will see an overall reduction of 1.8 per cent on their tax bills.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial;">The total tax on a house assessed at $500,000 would decline about $100.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial;">Council passed the tax rate bylaw on June 5, after a report by Director of Finance Ursula D’Angelo said the estimated savings (not including the impact of property value changes) would total $19.99 for each $100,000 of residential assessment. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial;">In December, council had considered enacting a .5 per cent decline in town taxes (which are 25.94 per cent of the total) using new assessment revenue of $282,665. Instead they put some of that money into the infrastructure reserve fund and settled on a .5 per cent increase.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial;">That means for local purposes, the town will collect $6.6 million, with residents paying $1.42 more for each $100,000 of assessment value. That increase is more than offset by decreases in county and education taxes.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial;">In January, the county passed their 2018 budget with an average tax increase of 2.5 per cent, but the percentage varies in each local municipality. In Erin it is a decrease of 1.94 per cent, or $12.41 for each $100,000 of assessment. The town will collect $14.2 million on behalf of Wellington County, which is 55.73 per cent of local taxes. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial;">Erin has had assessment value growth on existing properties and new construction. Other Wellington municipalities, however, have had even more assessment growth, so they are paying a slightly higher share of county taxes than they used to.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial;">The Erin education tax totals $4.7 million, which is 18.33 per cent of the total. It is declining 5 per cent, or $9.00 for each $100,000 of assessment.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial;">The proportion of property taxes paid by residential owners remains high, but it has declined from 87.7 per cent in 2017 to 87.5 in 2018. The commercial share is down slightly, but the industrial and farmland shares are up slightly.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial;">The 2017 assessment roll shows the total value of all Town of Erin properties at $2,464,384,051. Final tax bills go out in mid-July, with final installments due on August 31 and October 31.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Phil Gravellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13257146271785101694noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-81312440380433089.post-64835986349738768012018-05-24T12:55:00.000-04:002018-10-03T12:56:32.589-04:00Erin council backs off pit decision<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 22.5pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial;">An overflow crowd and a petition with 772 names have forced Erin councillors to delay a controversial gravel pit vote, with the town now seeking a better deal with the pit operator. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial;">Council decided on Tuesday to defer a decision on whether to recommend that the county allow Halton Crushed Stone (HCS) to expand its existing gravel pit north to County Road 52.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial;">Mayor Allan Alls said CAO Nathan Hyde will meet with the company to explore ways to reduce the impact of the expansion, across the road from the BelErin subdivision. He said the process could take until this fall.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial;">Residents are concerned about noise, dust, traffic and visual appearance, and want a 300-metre setback. Various studies and concessions by HCS have not been sufficient to move the project forward, and the company says it is open to further discussions.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial;">Resident Robyn Johnstone presented a petition urging a No vote, saying the expansion “threatens our families, Erin’s natural appeal and future prosperity.” It says property values would decrease by up to 30 per cent, and that recycling asphalt would release toxic dust. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial;">“We are not willing to roll the dice when it comes to the health of our children,” said Johnstone.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial;">The expansion would allow gravel extraction above the water table on 150 acres of agricultural land, and storage of up to 60,000 tonnes of recycled asphalt.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial;">County Planning Director Aldo Salis recommended approval, saying the proposal is “in the public interest” and that concerns have been adequately addressed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial;">The approval process requires an Official Plan change by the county and a further zoning decision by the town. The outcome could be appealed by either side.</span><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #222222; font-family: Arial;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial;">Coun. Matt Sammut declared a conflict of interest since his home is near the pit, and he could not vote or participate in the debate.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Phil Gravellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13257146271785101694noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-81312440380433089.post-36672563780445424432018-05-10T12:52:00.000-04:002018-10-03T12:53:33.789-04:00Water decision deserved public discussion<div class="Philstext" style="font-family: Helvetica; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 27pt;">
<span lang="EN-US">Erin town councillors could have shown some courtesy by at least pretending to have a public discussion about getting rid of the water department.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">Instead, after a lengthy closed session on April 24 and a brief public slide show by a consultant, they voted 3-2 to negotiate a contract with the Ontario Clean Water Agency (OCWA) to take over water operations.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">One of the most important decisions in the town’s history was taken without public notice, and without a public discussion of the strategy by councillors or staff.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">With OCWA promising to save urban ratepayers $200,000 a year, it could be an excellent decision. It comes with risks, however, and with many ancient water pipes to replace and more wells needed, the savings could be a drop in the bucket. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">Normally, councillors and the public get a chance to consider major proposals well in advance. In this case, the matter was a single line on the agenda. The town had commissioned an independent cost-benefit analysis, comparing the existing operations to two outside bids.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">Normally a consultant’s presentation is printed in the agenda, so people have at least two days to think and react. In this case there was nothing.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">Normally there is a staff report analyzing the pros and cons – something that had been promised on this issue – but again there was nothing. The explanation from communications officer Jessica Spina is that a recommendation from CAO Nathan Hyde would “eliminate the objectivity” of the consultant’s report.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">Water superintendent Joe Babin was not allowed to speak during or after the meeting. Maybe he has some advice for council that the public should hear.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">A complex matter like outsourcing water requires discussion. When did that discussion take place? Council never saw the request for proposals that went out in February.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">A section of the April 24 meeting was legitimately closed to the public for matters of labour relations, employee negotiations or litigation. Other possible exemptions for confidential information and outside negotiations were not claimed. The Municipal Act limits discussion to specified topics.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">Spina said that in closed session, the consultant “provided an objective view regarding the water department’s operation”, with an “overview of the department’s financial records which included proprietary information”, and that questions were asked about the analysis “as it pertains to staffing and department finances”. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">Any new strategy might be construed as impacting labour relations. There will be grey areas, but it would be advisable (though perhaps not convenient) to deal with sensitive personnel and negotiation issues in closed session, while discussing others in public.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">These would include the concept of outsourcing, water quality monitoring, response to emergencies, criteria for extra costs, dispute resolution, performance in other municipalities and the option to have OCWA manage future wastewater.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">In 2016, closed meeting investigator John Maddox urged Erin to keep meetings open to the public whenever possible.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">“If in doubt, you should probably err on the side of caution and stay open,” he said. Councillors must limit discussion to the announced reason for the closed session, and not “wander off-topic”.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">Some councillors were clearly uncomfortable when they returned from the recent closed session, having been warned not to reveal details. Councillors Jeff Duncan and John Brennan voted against starting OCWA negotiations, with concern that the mayor and CAO would be authorized to sign the contract without council seeing it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">Coun. Matt Sammut, a vocal critic of water costs, voted Yes, but had concerns about “impacting a number of lives”. He had second thoughts about his vote, but could not change it. He said if negotiators see “holes” in the deal, it should still come back to council. Mayor Al Alls told councillors to forward concerns privately to the negotiating team.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">The mayor and CAO may have got their way, but at what cost? Considering that they recently promised to improve communications with the public, the meeting was still a disaster.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Phil Gravellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13257146271785101694noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-81312440380433089.post-36668034852891243372018-05-03T12:49:00.000-04:002018-10-03T12:50:40.626-04:00New efforts to reduce gravel pit impact<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 22.5pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial;">New efforts are being made to reduce the impact of Halton Crushed Stone’s proposed gravel pit expansion south of Erin village.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial;">At an April 17 meeting, County Planner Aldo Salis supported the expansion, and HCS offered changes to appease opponents, but council’s debate was cut short when the vote was delayed until May 15.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial;">Councillor Jeff Duncan, who is opposed to the proposal as it now stands, did not get to speak. He says a gravel trade could move the pit farther from nearby homes.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial;">“I propose a significant amount of the gravel deposit that the Town of Erin has under the Tenth</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt;"></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial;">Line that is part of the application be assigned/traded to HCS as a concession for a significant setback,” he said. He wants no extraction in a triangle measured 300 metres along the roadways.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial;">Possible closure of the Tenth Line in about 20 years to extract town-owned gravel has been discussed, but it would require an additional agreement between the town and the pit operator.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial;">Roy Val, who received a Town of Erin Volunteer Award recently for his research into this and other local growth issues, said he was pleased that HCS had recognized the environmental concerns related to asphalt recycling on the site by agreeing to groundwater monitoring.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial;">“HCS still fails to recognize the impact of a pit across the street from an established subdivision,” he said. “I would hope those residents, in particular, are ready to engage councillors head-on to address the issue of a larger setback prior to the next council meeting.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial;">HCS has doubled the minimum 30-metre setback, promising not to mine the first 60 metres from the northwest corner of their lands. They also committed to mine the next 95 metres in a two-year period, starting whenever they decide to strip the topsoil.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial;">Duncan’s proposal suggests a two-year limit on a larger area, comprising 50 per cent of the land parcel closest to the subdivision. He also wants the operator to set up a Community Liaison Committee.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial;">The proposal is for mining above the water table, but Duncan wants tighter restrictions, saying HCS could too easily get approval for mining below the water table.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial;">He would also like to see asphalt recycling removed from the land use, or at least temporarily restricted while the Ontario government is developing new policies on this land use.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial;">“Placing 60,000 tonnes of a hazardous material on the floor of a gravel pit could be one of the worst places to put it,” he said. HCS and Salis say the asphalt poses no risk to human health.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Phil Gravellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13257146271785101694noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-81312440380433089.post-81819232807506089422018-05-03T12:44:00.000-04:002018-10-03T12:47:37.447-04:00Erin to outsource water operations<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 22.5pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial;">After years of concern about the cost of running the Erin water department, town council has finally pulled the plug – deciding to contract the job to an outside agency.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial;">The town expects to save over $200,000 per year in a five-year deal with the Ontario Clean Water Agency (OCWA), a crown corporation that operates water and wastewater systems for more than 180 clients.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial;">Council voted 3-2 at a special meeting April 24 to begin negotiations with OCWA. They delegated full authority to Mayor Allan Alls and CAO Nathan Hyde to sign a contract without bringing it back to council. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial;">Councillors John Brennan and Jeff Duncan voted against the motion. They both support contracting out, but said they wanted more information.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial;">“Negotiations will involve a dialogue about the possibility of the Town’s water department staff transitioning into new positions,” said Communications Officer Jessica Spina. “It is anticipated that OCWA will begin operating the town’s water system by August 1st of this year.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial;">The town will retain ownership of the system, and hopes to use the savings to reduce future water rate increases. More money will go into reserves needed for replacing antiquated parts of the system.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial;">In February, CAO Nathan Hyde issued a Request for Proposal, and received two bids. Town council was not involved in the process, which included hiring an independent consultant, Public Sector Digest (PSD), to compare the bids to the existing costs of running the water department (about $1 million annually).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial;">In closed session, PSD provided council with analysis, and then gave the public an abridged version. Measured in 2018 dollars with inflation at 2 per cent, a bid from H2O Systems would save the town $347,723 over 5.5 years. The OCWA bid would save $1,112,839.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial;">Coun. Matt Sammut asked, “Do you feel a good analysis has been done from a qualitative perspective.” Tyler Sutton and Saramad Mahbouba of PSD said their only reference was the executive summaries of the bidders themselves, who each claimed to have an excellent record of service delivery. The bids were not made public.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial;">“The Town of Erin can expect to benefit from economies of scale and accumulated experience,” the PSD report said. The town is expecting strong technical support, reducing the need for other consultants. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial;">The mayor said OCWA can do the job with fewer hours and less overtime, since staff service more than one client, and that OCWA will share liability for the system.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial;">OCWA manages 75 per cent of Ontario’s outsourced water treatment facilities, serving 4.5 million people. The agency has already made a pitch to manage Erin’s future sewer system.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial;">Guelph-Eramosa Township used to have OCWA managing Rockwood’s water and wastewater systems, but cancelled the contract 10 years ago, citing unpredictable extra costs. Alls said he has heard positive feedback from other municipalities.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial;">Councillors were warned not to discuss the water service bids in public, because of staff privacy and to avoid harming the town’s negotiating position. Water Superintendent Joe Babin was also barred from speaking.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial;">“The devil is in the details – we would be derelict if we didn’t investigate further, but there are a lot of things to be fleshed out,” said Brennan. “The responsibility regarding quality is on the shoulders of council.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial;">Mayor Al Alls said councillors should forward any concerns privately to the negotiating team.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;">Duncan said the decision was “hasty”. He said bringing a tentative deal back to council in closed session would be a normal negotiation process, but the CAO said it would be unfair to OCWA and the negotiating team to have to start the process over again.</span>Phil Gravellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13257146271785101694noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-81312440380433089.post-58854826652438514382018-05-03T12:41:00.000-04:002018-10-03T12:43:12.859-04:00Ministry to mediate on wastewater objections<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial;">The Ministry of the Environment and Climate Change will mediate between the Town of Erin and any residents who appeal the results of the Wastewater Environmental Assessment (EA).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial;">The culmination of the Master Plan and Municipal Class EA process, which was mandated in 2004 and started in 2009, is publication of an Environmental Study Report (ESR), which is subject to a formal 30-day review period. The completed report is almost 2,000 pages, and will be available at erin.ca, in libraries and at Town Hall.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial;">On April 24 town council got a report from Joe Mullan, President of Ainley Group that has conducted Phases 3 and 4 of the EA. They agreed that the review period would be May 14 to June 14.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial;">People can make comments to the town, or make a more formal appeal, known as a request for a Part II Order or a “bump-up”. This must be submitted to the Ministry of the Environment and Climate Change by June 14.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial;">Eventually, Minister Chris Ballard would issue an order binding on all parties. He could require additional investigation or approve the plan, allowing the town to proceed with funding requests, design and construction.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial;">A similar Part II Order process for the Station Street bridge, dam and pond lasted more than a year.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial;">Mullan said his team would hold another meeting of the Public Liaison Committee and meet with others to resolve concerns. He said Part II Order requests should be as specific as possible, so the ministry can ask questions of the town and consultant.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial;">“The ministry becomes a mediator, and then ultimately a decision maker,” said Mullan.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial;">Ainley has already responded individually to 26 letters from residents. Concerns include costs for urban residents, growth of the urban population to 14,559 in the coming decades, possible costs for rural residents and risks to the natural environment.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial;">Mullan says public concerns have been addressed through technical studies and public meetings over the last two years, but some residents say that the answers to their questions have been inadequate.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial;">The preferred alternative includes a gravity collection system with low-pressure pumping in some areas, a forcemain connecting Hillsburgh to Erin village along the Elora-Cataract Trailway, a plant at County Road 52 and Tenth Line using membrane technology and UV treatment, and an outlet to the West Credit River at Winston Churchill Blvd.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial;">“We have had preliminary talks with senior governments and have received positive feedback,” said Mayor Allan Alls. “This critical project will help us build a complete and sustainable community, which will attract new jobs.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial;">After major contributions from developers and funding from senior governments, the local share of the eventual $118 million project could be $20 million. If so, each serviced property would pay an average of $7,500 for construction – though the actual amount could vary per property once the allocation formula is decided. It could be financed for up to 15 years.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial;">In addition, individual connection charges paid to a private contractor are expected to be in the range of $4,000 to $8,000, depending on the property.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial;">Once the system is running, yearly wastewater usage fees are estimated at $500 to $600 (based on rates in nearby municipalities).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial;">Available in the wastewater section of the town website is a Frequently Asked Questions document with information on the project. The Town of Erin Facebook page has an animated video about the costs to property owners. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial;">Also on the site is Mullan’s 38-page presentation to council with the April 24 agenda. It includes a capital cost summary for all elements of the wastewater system and outlines financing options.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Phil Gravellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13257146271785101694noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-81312440380433089.post-91452866961744834082018-04-26T12:37:00.000-04:002018-10-03T12:39:29.310-04:00Gravel pit operator offers concessions<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 22.5pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial;">Halton Crushed Stone (HCS) is offering new concessions in its bid to get town council approval for a gravel pit expansion just south of Erin village.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial;">Councillors deferred their vote on the issue until May 15, after hearing a presentation on April 17 from HCS representative James Parkin.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial;">His offer first came in a letter to council last Friday, just after a report from Wellington County Planning Director Aldo Salis was released, recommending approval of the expansion. The concessions are intended to reduce the impact of the pit on the community, especially nearby residents on McCullogh Dr. and Aspen Court.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial;">Parkin said HCS would complete gravel extraction within two years of topsoil removal in the corner of its property closest to the homes – a pie-shaped zone with a radius of 185 metres from the corner of the urban boundary. It’s not clear exactly when the two years would start, but HSC has planned to mine that area first.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial;">HCS has also agreed to a monitoring program for ground water quality near its asphalt recycling stockpiles, to plant trees immediately on the northern border instead of within one year, to apply calcium chloride annually to suppress dust on the Tenth Line and to clean up any gravel spillage on Road 52.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial;">Coun. Rob Smith said the deferral will be “an opportunity for citizens to chime in” on whether the changes are acceptable.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial;">Salis told council the proposed land use is “appropriate and in the public interest” and conforms to provincial and county policies. The plan to expand the pit north towards County Road 52 has been the subject of technical studies and public meetings over the last two years.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial;">“The applicant has demonstrated that the proposed use can be carried out in a manner that will reduce potential social, economic and environmental impacts,” Salis said.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial;">The expansion would be on 50 acres west of Tenth Line and 100 acres to the east. It includes a 60-metre setback in the northwest corner, one of several changes already made by HCS.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial;">Many residents want a 300-metre setback, even though the land is already zoned for gravel mining. Resident Roy Val said it appears the previous owners of the pit had no intention of mining the northwest corner, and although there is no documentation, that the subdivision may have been approved with that understanding.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial;">Salis said any contaminants from asphalt recycling would be at concentrations well below those of concern to human health. A study found there would be no impact on groundwater or the nearby West Credit River.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial;">The expansion would be on prime agricultural land, but Salis said aggregate extraction is acceptable since the land will eventually be restored to agricultural use – similar to rehabilitated land on the HCS property.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial;">The Town hired WND Associates to review a visual impact study. They said proposed improvements to berm heights plus tree plantings are “adequate” for visual appearance, for screening the pit from second-storey views and for screening views further north on high points of the Tenth Line.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial;">Coun. Matt Sammut has a conflict of interest because his home is near the pit, so he did not participate in the debate or vote. At the March 6 meeting he had Mayor Allan Alls read a statement saying he “will not influence Council or members of the public on the future decision.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial;">He has registered a notice of objection with the Ministry of Natural Resources to the HCS plan. He said, “I have been advised by both Municipal Affairs and our Integrity Commissioner that I can be an objector as a homeowner while being in conflict as a councillor.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Phil Gravellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13257146271785101694noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-81312440380433089.post-33725631288880785962018-04-19T13:36:00.000-04:002018-09-30T13:37:31.859-04:00School closure process on hold<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria; margin: 0in 4.5pt 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial;">The public school board has put the brakes on a process that could have studied the possibility of closing Ross R. MacKay School in Hillsburgh.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial;">A draft of the Upper Grand District School Board’s Long Term Accommodation Plan (LTAP) released this week has no new priorities or actions proposed for this area.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial;">“There is uncertainty around the timing and scope of wastewater servicing, and as such, it is not appropriate to identify elementary accommodation priorities for the Erin Elementary Review Area at this time,” the draft report says. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial;">“The Board will review LTAP projections and priorities annually and will reflect future decisions of the Town of Erin.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial;">At a Feb. 28 meeting to prepare for this report, many local residents expressed support for keeping the school open. They also suggested a boundary review to increase MacKay’s catchment area, the transfer of some special education classes to the school, and the possibility of making Brisbane Public School entirely French Immersion, which could bring more English-only students to MacKay.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial;">There will be more public consultation before the final plan goes to trustees in June, including a meeting on May 2 in the Erin Public School gym with a question and answer session.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial;">With the Town of Erin undertaking a Municipal Class Environmental Assessment to determine a preferred alternative for wastewater servicing in Erin village and Hillsburgh, the board has published two scenarios, one with minimal growth and the other with moderate growth.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial;">If the town gets adequate funding and decides to proceed with a wastewater system, construction could start within five years.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial;">Without wastewater, more than 400 student spaces are expected to be empty in Erin public elementary schools by 2022. Ross R. Mackay’s population of 90 students would drop to 64, using only 32 per cent of the school’s capacity.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial;">That rate would stay low without housing growth, but enrolment could rebound to 165 (83 per cent usage) in ten years if new subdivisions are built.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Phil Gravellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13257146271785101694noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-81312440380433089.post-51365260376549482592018-04-19T13:26:00.000-04:002018-09-30T13:28:41.115-04:00Mixed messages on Erin wastewater cost sharing<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt;">Residents who will not get wastewater service for their homes continue to get conflicting messages about whether they will have to help pay for the system.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt;">A document from consultant Ainley Group, posted in the wastewater section of the town website, erin.ca, attempts to summarize questions from the Feb. 2 public meeting.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt;">One question says, “I do not live in the planned wastewater service areas. Will I have to pay any of the construction or operating costs for this system?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt;">The Ainley answer is, “No. You will not pay anything and will benefit from having a local facility to dispose of and treat septic tank waste.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt;">Town council has not taken a position on this, but Mayor Allan Alls has promoted the idea that all property owners should pay for construction. The eventual local share of construction costs (after grants are received) could be $20 million.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt;">The mayor says there is some flexibility within the Municipal Act to potentially allocate construction costs to the whole tax base. At the April 24 council meeting, he said, “I’ve been beaten down, but there’s more to go.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt;">Ainley President Joe Mullan said his firm’s “assumption since day one” is to have construction costs paid exclusively by serviced residents, which is normal practice in Ontario. But he said, “It’s your right to change that.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt;">In an earlier interview, Alls emphasized that wastewater would bring economic benefits to the entire town.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt;">“When the Town of Erin goes out to borrow $20 million, they don’t borrow it for only a small section of people who will pay that $20 million back. You can’t do it that way. That’s not how it works in democracy.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt;">He suggested the issue could “bring some people out of the woodwork to run for council”.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt;">Asked how people might react if a high tax increase was needed to cover sewer construction costs, the mayor said, “I’ll get fired.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt;">The Ainley document says dividing $20 million equally among the 2,672 urban lots (residential, commercial, industrial and institutional) would mean an expense per property of $7,500. The exact formula has not been decided, since costs could be allocated by various factors such as property frontage. But it is clear that sharing the construction cost with rural residents (who are the majority), plus those in unserviced urban areas, would drastically lower the cost per household. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt;">Ainley says the construction cost could be paid as a lump sum by homeowners, or through a loan from the town, as part of the municipal tax bill. Hook-up will be mandatory in serviced areas.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt;">The construction cost does not include the cost of individual hook-ups, which could range from $4,000 to $8,000. This would have to be paid privately by the homeowner, to a contractor that they would have to hire themselves.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt;">Ainley has sent individual responses to residents who submitted questions following the Feb. 2 meeting. The firm is completing an Environmental Study Report, as the Environmental Assessment (EA) wraps up. It will be open to public comment from May 14 to June 14, and the EA results can be appealed to the Minister of the Environment, as a request for a Part II Order. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt;">The town will be reviewing its Official Plan to identify specific areas for new housing – a step that has been delayed for several years.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt;">The phasing of wastewater construction could follow many different scenarios, depending on planning decisions and financing.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt;">In one scenario created by Ainley, if adequate funding is received, construction of Phase One could begin in the second half of the next council term (2020-2022). <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt;">About 60 per cent of the Phase One capacity could service existing residents, while 40 per cent could be allocated to new development, allowing the serviced urban population to grow from about 4,500 to 8,864.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; text-indent: 0px;">Phase Two would be entirely for new growth, and could happen about 2028-2030, eventually boosting the urban population to 14,559.</span><span style="font-family: -webkit-standard; font-size: small; text-indent: 0px;"></span></div>
Phil Gravellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13257146271785101694noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-81312440380433089.post-33030096244380071672018-04-19T00:30:00.000-04:002018-09-30T13:38:03.869-04:00Train stations remembered as community hubs<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">As published in Sideroads Magazine</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">In the railroad boom of the late 1800s, four companies built an ambitious web of steel among villages between Georgetown and Orangeville.<br /><br />The local train station became the new community hub – a meeting place where farmers and millers would ship products, visitors could arrive without a grueling stagecoach ride, shops would receive efficient deliveries and residents might gather to get election results by telegraph.</span><br />
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A scale model of the CVR station at Forks of the Credit, part of a model </div>
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landscape created by Erin rail enthusiast Steve Revell. Photo - Phil Gravelle</div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">As rails emanated from the economic powerhouse of Toronto, the first train station in Peel County was in Bolton. It was on the Toronto Grey and Bruce (TG&B) line that headed west starting in 1869.<br /><br />In 1908, Bolton became a major junction point for a new line running north through Palgrave and up to Sudbury – an all-rail route to the western provinces.<br /><br />In order to reach Caledon Village, TG&B builders had to climb Caledon Mountain. They designed the Horseshoe Curve, where the rail line doubled back on itself to gradually gain altitude. Trains could only climb with five rail cars per engine.<br /><br />The Great Horseshoe Wreck killed seven people in 1907 when a Canadian National Exhibition excursion special came down the Curve too fast and derailed.<br /><br />The TG&B brought passenger rail service to Orangeville in 1871 and it was to last 100 years. Within six months, Orangeville was shipping up to 16 loads of grain a day as well as timber, lumber, and fence rails. In the 1880s a stagecoach ferried visitors to and from the railway station on Mill Street and the hotels and businesses along Broadway. </span><br />
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A scale model of the Orangeville CPR station and rail yard </div>
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created by Steve Revell. </div>
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The Orangeville CPR Station was moved to Armstrong Street in 1989 </div>
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and is now home to the Barley Vine Rail Co. restaurant and bar. </div>
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Photo - Elizabeth Willmott</div>
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The smoke of three steam engines can be seen as this train blasts north </div>
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out of Orangeville in the mid 1950s. The extra horsepower was needed </div>
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for the steep grade up to Fraxa Junction. Photo - Robert Sandusky</div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The TG&B was taken over by Canadian Pacific (CP) in 1884. In 1907, they built a new Orangeville station on the east side of the rail yard on Townline. The distinctive conical roof resembling a witch’s hat covered a waiting room that once had separate sections for men and women. It is one of only three stations in Canada constructed in this exact style. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />In 1989, to avoid demolition, it was moved to Armstrong Street and converted to commercial use. The nearby rail yard bunkhouse and lunch bar, built in 1943, burned down in 2006.<br /><br />Just past Orangeville was Fraxa Junction, where a northern branch of the TG&B carried on through Shelburne, reaching Owen Sound in 1873.</span><br />
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A scale model of the Fraxa Junction station on the TG&B line<br />
just west of Orangeville, created by Steve Revell.</div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Elizabeth Willmot, in her book Meet Me at the Station, says people would gather along that line to see the Steamship Express headed north. This train was considered glamorous because passengers would later sail out of Owen Sound harbor, headed for Sault Ste. Marie.</span><br />
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The passenger office at the original two-storey Shelburne station, </div>
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on the Orangeville-Owen Sound line. It was replaced during Canadian </div>
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Pacific’s modernization and upgrading program, carried out in the 1910s.</div>
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Photo - Dufferin County Museum</div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />About 10 miles north of Orangeville was Crombies station, a tiny board and batten building where travellers would wave a green and white flag to get trains to stop. It is preserved at the Dufferin County Museum.</span><br />
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The Crombies flag stop station north of Orangeville.</div>
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Photo - <span style="font-size: 12.800000190734863px;">Elizabeth Willmot</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />The Credit Valley Railway (CVR) served an area west of the TG&B. It had a route from Streetsville through Cheltenham, Inglewood and Alton, ending at Orangeville. Alton had a CVR station in the village, plus a TG&B station a mile’s walk away. </span><br />
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CPR steam engine 183 rolls into Forks of Credit station in 1905.</div>
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The station was between the tracks and the road, near </div>
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the trestle bridge over the Credit River.</div>
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The handsome brick union station in Inglewood, 1954, serving both </div>
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the CNR Milton and the CPR Streetsville subdivisions. </div>
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Published in Steam at Allandale by Ian Wilson, 1998.</div>
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Cataract Junction Station in the 1890s, published in 1980 by Boston Mills </div>
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Press in Running Late on the Bruce, by Ralph Beaumont and James Filby. </div>
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This was the point on the Credit Valley Railroad line to Orangeville </div>
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where a branch line split off towards Elora, passing through Erin, </div>
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Hillsburgh, Orton and Fergus. It is now the Elora Cataract Trailway.</div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">At Cataract, the 47-km Elora Branch of the CVR split off towards Erin and Hillsburgh. The CVR was never financially secure, and like the TG&B, it was taken over and revitalized by CP in 1884. In Orangeville, the CVR station on East Broadway in the Credit flats was abandoned in favour of the TG&B station.<br /><br />For the past 18 years, Cando Rail Services has used the old CVR route to run scenic Credit Valley Explorer excursions and freight deliveries between Orangeville and Mississauga. The firm recently announced it is ending these services, and a new operator is being sought.<br /><br />The arrival of the railroad prompted incorporation of the Village of Erin in 1879. The simple wood frame train station was a combination passenger and freight depot, with a grain elevator and coal dealership nearby.<br /><br />In the early 1900s it was often busy with train excursions for sporting events, dances, boating and cottaging at Stanley Park, a major tourist attraction.</span><br />
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Erin CPR station in 1909, as published in Early History of the Township of Erin </div>
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by The Boston Mills Press.</div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">“The railway was more of a convenience than a stimulus for economic growth,” said Steve Revell, in A Brief History of Erin Village. “Passenger service was limited after the Crash of 1929 and abandoned in 1958. The station was demolished in 1971, the last train left in 1987 and the rails were lifted in 1988.”<br /><br />The Hillsburgh station was built on the west side of the millpond created by the Gooderham and Worts dam. A station road and bridge had to be built over the dam to connect with the village. </span><br />
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The Hillsburgh station and grain elevator in 1884. </div>
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Published in 1977 by The Boston Mills Press, in Steam Trains to the Bruce </div>
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by Ralph Beaumont.</div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The station burned down in 1932, and a new small building was erected in 1933. In that year, service on the branch was cut from four daily trains to two, one going from Orangeville to Elora at 11:30 a.m. and one returning about 5:00 p.m.</span><br />
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In its later years, the HIllsburgh station became a flagstop on the CPR branch </div>
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line from Cataract to Elora, which opened in 1879. </div>
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The rails were lifted in 1988.</div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The Caledon area was also served by the Hamilton and North-Western Railway line running through Georgetown to Barrie (later owned by Grand Trunk and CN) starting in 1877. <br /><br />Along what is now the Caledon Trailway, there were stations at Terra Cotta, Cheltenham, Caledon East, Centreville and Palgrave. There was a “union station” at Inglewood (Sligo Junction) where it intersected the Credit Valley line.</span><br />
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With a gas lantern lighting its train order board, the Cheltenham station </div>
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was typical of those on southern Ontario branchlines. In October of 1952, </div>
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it saw two daily passenger trains. Published in Steam at Hallandale </div>
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by Ian Wilson, 1998. Photo - Robert Sandusky</div>
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The Caledon East Grand Trunk station in the mid-1950s. </div>
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Published in Steam Scenes of Allandale by Ian Wilson, 2007.</div>
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Photo - William Flatt</div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The Grand Trunk Railway built a Georgetown station on its Toronto to Guelph Line in 1858 with attractive stone construction and unique woodwork. It was taken over by CN in 1923.</span><br />
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Steam engine at Georgetown CN station in the 1950s. </div>
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Published in Steam Scenes of Allandale by Ian Wilson, 2007.</div>
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Photo - Keith Simon</div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">In his book Steam Scenes of Allandale, Ian Wilson reports that Georgetown remained busy through the 1950s with 14 passenger train arrivals and departures on most days. It became a VIA Rail station in 1977 when CN and CP merged passenger service, and GO train commuter service started the following year.</span><br />
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The Georgetown train station remains well used today.</div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />The role of train stations has certainly changed, but they are key to understanding how small rural communities once flourished as industrial centres in a bold new country.</span>Phil Gravellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13257146271785101694noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-81312440380433089.post-1027681629036370462018-04-12T13:29:00.000-04:002018-09-30T13:31:21.841-04:00Citizen scientists needed for healthy soil project<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.25in;">
The Soil Health Coalition chapter in Erin is recruiting citizen scientists and local farmers to help measure key attributes of local soil, as part of a campaign to promote regenerative agriculture and reverse climate change.<o:p></o:p></div>
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After two years of work, including Our Common Ground events last spring and $2,500 from the town for a feasibility study, the coalition has received a $70,000 grant from the Friends of the Greenbelt Foundation for a soil health project.<o:p></o:p></div>
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The funding was announced at a March 28 film night at the Erin Legion. Mayor Allan Alls was on hand, congratulating the group and offering to promote the project on the town website. <o:p></o:p></div>
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On March 29 the coalition hosted a farmer-to-farmer networking day at Hillsburgh Baptist Church. Members include representatives from organic farms in Erin, Transition Erin, the Climate Change Action Group and Credit Valley Conservation.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Co-leading the effort is agronomist Ruth Knight. She said the testing would compare the characteristics of actively managed farmland with unmanaged land in marginal, unplowed areas. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Instead of focusing on nutrients, teams including citizen volunteers will measure the levels of carbon (organic and inorganic) in soils, and their ability to hold and filter water. <o:p></o:p></div>
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The project will build up an “adaptive network” of farmers who can share methods of building soil health and improving water quality. The goal is to produce healthier crops, stabilize farm incomes, and leave good soils to future generations.<o:p></o:p></div>
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For more information or to get involved, go to soilhealthcoalition.ca, or email Knight at soilregen@gmail.com.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Environmental groups see regenerative agriculture, which builds up soil by allowing it to capture and retain more carbon from the atmosphere, as one of the most important ways of reversing climate change. The coalition says it’s something Erin could be proud to champion.<o:p></o:p></div>
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“How does a town define itself?” asked Brent Klassen of Heartwood Farm and Cidery.<o:p></o:p></div>
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“We’ve kind of been about horses, and kind of been about something that’s vaguely Irish. It seems to me that we’re on the cusp of being able to really lay claim to something that’s really interesting, really engaging, something that’s really vibrant, that has everything to do with the food we eat, and everything to do with the ways we manage the land that we so fortunately find ourselves on. <o:p></o:p></div>
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“It would enhance our own lives and make us irresistible to people who want to come and visit.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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Quality soil with high organic content not only provides nutrition, but growing plants also make soil one of the most effective carbon sinks – drawing it out of the atmosphere and storing it. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Plowing and tilling release carbon from the soil, and conventional methods such as growing a single type of crop and managing it with irrigation, chemical fertilizers and pesticides tends to degrade soil and make crops more vulnerable to disease and drought.<o:p></o:p></div>
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“Regenerative agriculture is very good for farmers, as it increases the productivity and sustainability of their soils,” said activist Liz Armstrong.<o:p></o:p></div>
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“Our project in Erin will focus on measuring the state of the soil of at least 20 local farmers, then re-measuring after action has been taken to improve the water holding capacity of their soils (good especially for reducing the impacts of flooding and drought) and increasing the amount of carbon in their soils - the more carbon sequestered in the soil, the less carbon there is in the atmosphere that causes global warming.”<o:p></o:p></div>
Phil Gravellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13257146271785101694noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-81312440380433089.post-48277024778283610312018-04-12T13:17:00.000-04:002018-09-30T13:19:42.990-04:00Extra $604,000 for Town of Erin well drilling<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial;">The search for new municipal water just got a lot more expensive, with Erin town council allocating up to $604,000 for at least two more wells.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial;">Exploratory drilling and testing at two sites, as part of the Water Servicing Environmental Assessment (EA), has been a disappointment for the town. Sufficient water flow was not found at the existing Hillsburgh fire hall well or the Mountainview site on Kenneth Ave.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial;">The search will now be expanded, with four potential sites in Hillsburgh and four in Erin village, most owned by developers. All the sites are in the Credit River watershed, (while the existing Nestlé well is in the Grand River watershed).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial;">When the Water EA (separate from the Wastewater EA) was started in 2015, it was based on the projection that the urban population would grow from 4,500 to 6,000. That would have required one new well in Hillsburgh and one or two for Erin village.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial;">With a new projection of 14,599 urban residents within about 25 years, Hillsburgh will eventually need two more wells and Erin village up to five more, according to a report by town engineer Christine Furlong of Triton Engineering.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial;"> “It’s almost like a Catch-22 – if we don’t go ahead with the sewage treatment, we don’t get the population that needs the water,” said Coun. John Brennan, asking if the drilling can be done in phases. “$604,000 is a big pill to swallow.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial;"> “I hate spending money on the flip of a coin,” said Coun. Matt Sammut, while Mayor Allan Alls said, “This is something we have to do.” All members voted in favour.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial;">The allocation of funds approved on April 3 will not directly affect water rates, since the money will be taken from the Water Life Cycle Reserve and the Water Development Charges account.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial;">The town originally allocated $404,580 to the Water EA, and $215,496 remains unspent. Those funds will be used prior to the $604,000.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial;">Furlong estimated that 90 per cent of the well costs could be recovered through targeted development charges, without reducing other development revenue.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial;">She said the work would proceed in stages, each to be approved by town staff. Once preliminary drilling confirms adequate water flow, development of the well to production status could be done later. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial;">A single well can cost over $300,000 because of requirements for extensive water testing, an archaeological investigation, a cultural heritage evaluation and a natural environment inventory and assessment.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial;">One less well would be needed if the two village systems were connected, an option that is under study. Furlong also reminded council that more wells are needed for the existing water system, even if there were to be no growth.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial;">Erin currently operates its water system with two wells in Hillsburgh and two in Erin village. The province requires the town to develop an additional well for each community to provide redundancy (back-up) in case of failure or contamination at an existing well.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial;">Hydrogeologist Andrew Pentney of Groundwater Science Corp. (who has taken over from Ray Blackport) told council that the amount of money being spent on the water search is typical of that spent by other municipalities.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial;">He said it is “not uncommon” to find insufficient water flow at a specific test site, but expressed confidence that the problem is not lack of groundwater in the area.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial;">“The water is out there,” he said.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Phil Gravellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13257146271785101694noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-81312440380433089.post-82168801393976389182018-04-12T13:12:00.000-04:002018-09-30T13:14:55.939-04:00Erin dips into reserves for unbudgeted costs<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial; text-indent: 0.25in;">The Town of Erin will use reserve funds to cover an operating deficit of $62,924 for 2017, plus an unbudgeted total of $693,388 to complete the Wastewater Environmental Assessment.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial;">Town council agreed on April 3 to fund the deficit from the Tax Rate Stabilization Reserve, which now has a balance of $224,881. At the end of 2016, that reserve was at $383,809.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial;">Details on the 2017 fourth quarter results were presented in a report by Director of Finance Ursula D’Angelo. It includes explanations for departments that were over or under budget by more than 10 per cent or $10,000. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial;">The overall operating budget is about $10.5 million. In addition, the Town had budgeted $7.6 million for capital projects in 2017, but by the end of the year had spent only $2.4 million. Council has agreed to push a list of projects forward to 2018.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial;">D’Angelo also got council approval to cover $693,388 in outstanding costs for the Wastewater EA, to be funded equally between three reserve funds: Infrastructure, Water Lifecycle and Administration Development Charges.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial;">The March 2016 EA contract with Ainley Group was $899,253, and the town intended at the time to budget $200,000 per year towards it for three years. That was done in 2016, and with funds brought forward from 2015, $345,865 was covered.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial;">D’Angelo’s report indicates that no funds for the contract were allocated in the 2017 or 2018 budgets. Councillors made no comment about this, but Mayor Allan Alls said later that covering these costs from reserves was always the plan. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial;">Also not included in the budget or the cost of the Wastewater EA was $140,000 in management fees from Triton Engineering. When added to the Ainley obligation, the total outstanding is $693,388.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial;">“I want to know how we missed the management fees,” said Coun. John Brennan. “Obviously that is an important part of any project, and something that we need to pay attention to as we go forward.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial;">The town’s 51 reserve accounts were up by about $1 million at the end of 2017, to a total of $9.1 million, and are projected to be almost $10 million by the end of 2018.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial;">The fourth quarter report shows the administration department 19 per cent over budget, partly because better tax collection reduced income from penalties and interest.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial;">Administration expenses were also higher than expected by 14 per cent, with an extra $90,000 in labour costs due to staff changes, and an extra $28,000 for temporary administrative support. Insurance and deductibles were higher by $52,000 due to “ongoing corporate matters”.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial;">The planning budget took a hit of $64,665 in legal fees for the successful defense of the Angelstone Farms zoning bylaw at an Ontario Municipal Board hearing.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial;">Planning revenue of $18,100 was just 53 per cent of the budget projection, while labour costs were 21 per cent over budget at $37,214. On the positive side, consulting services cost only $5,600, instead of the expected $39,900.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial;">For bylaw enforcement and crossing guards, there was an extra $5,000 for labour costs and an extra $7,982 (100 per cent over budget) for legal fees. Revenue was only $950 (43 per cent of budget).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial;">There were many positive and negative variances in the recreation department, including an extra $103,000 in labour costs due to staff changes. Facility rental income was down by $15,000 at the Erin Community Centre due to lower activity, and revenue from baseball diamond and soccer field rentals was lower due to rain-outs. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial;">Council has voted in favour of doubling its general liability insurance coverage from $25 million to $50 million, for a premium increase of $1,500 annually. The full insurance contract with Jardine Lloyd Thompson Canada Inc. has an annual premium of $127,862.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Phil Gravellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13257146271785101694noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-81312440380433089.post-14552273415004976062018-04-12T13:06:00.000-04:002018-09-30T13:08:04.027-04:00LOOKING BACK – Erin soldier gassed<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Helvetica; margin: 0in 9pt 0.0001pt 4.5pt; text-indent: 27pt;">
<i><span lang="EN-US">From the Advocate – 100 years ago (1918)<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-US">Erin soldier gassed<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">The Toronto Star of Wednesday last contains the photo of R.E. Speers, who has been gassed. He is the son of Mrs. J. Speers, 10th Line, and their many friends join in the hope that he may fully recover. Mrs. Speers also has another son at the Front.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">Part of Category B men of Class 1 under the Military Service Act in this No. 1 Military District, have been notified by the Deputy Registrar to report for service on April 15th.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">During the past week, Mrs. Justice received a letter from her husband, Major Justice, in Belgium. He speaks of not being far from the cemetery in which the late Pte. G. Sutton was buried and that he intends to go and see the grave. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">Referring to Mrs. Tarzwell, he hopes that the citizens of Erin will take an interest in her welfare and see that she does not want for anything, through the loss of her son. He also thanks the Women's Institute for the Xmas boxes sent to the Boys from this vicinity.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span lang="EN-US">From the Advocate – 35 years ago (1983)<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-US">New grant for non-profit housing<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">Erin Township is receiving a $20,102 interest free provincial loan for the 29-unit senior citizen non-profit rental building planned for Hillsburgh. The announcement was made by MPP Jack Johnson. The Non-Profit Housing Corporation has already received a $4,000 grant and a $7,000 interest-free loan. Rent-geared-to-income units can be up to 50 per cent of the building.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-US">New plan to save soil<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">A new soil conservation and environmental assistance program begins this month, according to Mel Chamberlain, Wellington County agricultural representative. Farmers can get grants of up to 50 per cent of construction costs to a maximum of $7,500 for erosion control devices and up to $5,000 for one third of the cost of manure storage facilities.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span lang="EN-US">From the Advocate – 25 years ago (1993)<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-US">Erin Public officially “Green”<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">Erin Public School has joined an elite group of less than 300 schools across Canada in being declared “Green” by a group called SEEDS (Society, Environment and Energy Development Studies). Students had to initiate and participate in 100 action projects related to the environment. Teacher Librarian Barb McKinnon said this would influence them for a lifetime. SEEDS has donated $135 for planting trees, and provided a Green banner and trophy.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-US">Village needs a vision<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">An open invitation is extended to all 1,500 eligible voters to attend an upcoming meeting on updating the Erin Village Official Plan. Reeve Terry Mundell is calling it the Vision Meeting. “We’re trying to determine what the people in our community feel the municipality should look like in the next 10, 15 to 20 years,” he said.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span lang="EN-US">From the Advocate – 20 years ago (1998)<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-US">Bell’s Hardware closing<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">After operating for three generations at the same premises on Erin’s Main Street, Bell’s Hardware has closed. Dwight and Judy Bell, who have resided their entire married life in the apartment above the store, decided to retire. The business was started by R.M. (Robert) Bell and continued by Dwight’s father Donald – who was known for selling TVs starting in the early 1950s.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-US">109 Main gets new lease on life<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">The old village office at 109 Main Street is likely to be preserved. The garage is to be demolished, and but the OPP will use two offices, and EWAG will take over the council chamber and two other offices. EWAG Executive Director Irene Smedley said one room would be a drop-in centre for healthy seniors over 55. The basement of the building could become a youth centre, with support from Erin Optimists.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Phil Gravellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13257146271785101694noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-81312440380433089.post-42939899753157348162018-04-12T12:58:00.000-04:002018-09-30T13:00:33.025-04:00Major expansion planned at Cheltenham Badlands<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 22.5pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial;">A long-term plan to expand trails and parking facilities at the Cheltenham Badlands could allow a high volume of tourists to safely view the dramatic landscape on Olde Baseline Road.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial;">The final site concept was presented at the Caledon East Community Complex on April 5, the last of four public meetings in a Master Plan process. About 50 people attended.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial;">The Badlands were closed to the public three years ago due to safety concerns caused by heavy visitor traffic. A parking lot for 33 cars and two school buses has been completed, along with a new sidewalk leading to a 200-foot viewing boardwalk on the east side of the attraction, but the site is not expected to re-open until August.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial;">People will not be allowed to walk on the Queenston Shale hummocks, featuring red iron oxide with greenish banding. The area was exposed due to erosion caused by tree clearing and poor farming practices.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial;">The site will be managed by Credit Valley Conservation, to eventually be open during daylight hours from April until the end of October. Parking fees are planned.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial;">Located north of Cheltenham, about 2 km east of Winston Churchill Blvd., the property was very popular with tourists – especially during the fall colours season. It remains blocked by a security fence, and that section of Olde Baseline Road is a No Stopping – Tow Away zone.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial;">Some area residents opposed construction of the parking lot, saying it would make the road more hazardous, but their appeal was rejected by the Niagara Escarpment Commission.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial;">The Master Plan still needs approval by the Ontario Heritage Trust (OHT), which has owned the block of land containing the Badlands since 2002. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial;">OHT received about $1.2 million for the recent site improvements. The Region of Peel financed the parking lot, a Canada 150 grant helped with the accessible viewing boardwalk and TD Friends of the Environment contributed to signage that directs visitors and explains the history and geology of the Badlands. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial;">This year, a temporary trail will create a loop that links the existing Bruce Trail with the viewing area and the parking lot. More funding and donations are needed to build washrooms and a new wheelchair-accessible trail from the parking lot as part of Phase 1.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial;">No timing has been set for Phase 2, which includes a trail of limestone screenings on the south side of the Main Badlands, and along the side of a Secondary Badlands feature running south. Staircase-style boardwalks will be built over narrow sections of the shale, and additional loops will be created using the west side, and the main and side trail routes of the Bruce Trail.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial;">Phase 3, which is not expected for about 10 years, features a second parking lot in the far south corner of the property, on Creditview Road. It would accommodate 50 cars and could allow for a shuttle bus service “to be developed by external stakeholders as part of area-wide economic development and tourism opportunities”, according to a display at the public meeting.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial;"> “The Trust will need to raise funds to support the implementation of each phase of the plan,” said OHT representative Catrina Colme.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial;">Natural erosion of the hummocks will continue even without human foot traffic. The feature will gradually flatten out over many decades, according to Joe Desloges, professor of Geology and Earth Sciences at the University of Toronto. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial;">Drone surveying shows the height of the hummocks declining about 2.5 cm per year, and the gullies filling in with about half that amount.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Phil Gravellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13257146271785101694noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-81312440380433089.post-33091882351462196342018-04-05T12:55:00.000-04:002018-09-30T12:57:31.853-04:00Erin gets wastewater pep talk<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 27pt;">
<span lang="EN-US">The Town of Erin got an enthusiastic endorsement of the benefits of developing a wastewater system, from a similar community that is “now dealing with a growth explosion”.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">The pep talk came from Jane Torrance, a councillor from Mississippi Mills, located about 20 minutes west of Ottawa. She was the guest speaker at the bi-annual Mayor’s Breakfast, March 28 at the Erin Legion, with about 100 business people and community members attending.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">Mayor Allan Alls said the recent trend of allowing the severance of rural properties “has pretty well come to an end”, since the province has imposed a prime agricultural designation on most land previously classed as secondary agricultural.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">“Our growth has to be in the urban areas, and we need wastewater to make that happen,” he said.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">Torrance said her town’s 75-year-old sewer system had reached full capacity.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">“Our challenge to growth was wastewater – we were saying no to development,” she said. With ten years of planning, one third funding each from the federal and provincial government, and the use of development charges, they were able to complete construction of a new state-of-the-art wastewater plant in 2012 for $28 million. It is operated by the Ontario Clean Water Agency.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"> “There are more kids moving in – we’re focusing on a family population so we can be sustainable in the long term,” said Torrance. Their town banned estate lot subdivisions many years ago. “We can’t just build one type of housing. What type of housing is good for families? And bungalow townhouses are popular with seniors.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">More local employment means fewer commuters, and people who grew up in the town are more likely to move back.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">Mississippi Mills has similarities to the Town of Erin, with a population of 13,500, including about 5,000 in Almonte, their largest urban area (and the only one with sewers). There are several other communities in their town including Pakenham, site of a major ski hill.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">While Torrance described the growth as an explosion, it has meant only about 1,000 new residents since the new wastewater plant was completed. More significant, however, was the arrival of six substantial business developments including a mall, providing employment and revenue.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">“Expanding the tax base means spreading the cost over more people,” she said. “All of the municipality is benefitting from Almonte’s growth.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">Mississippi Mills has been aggressive with social media and traditional promotion to attract visitors, and all of their materials stress the beauty of their river.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">Unlike Erin, Almonte was starting with an existing sewer system, so did not have to install collection pipes or house hook-ups. Also unlike Erin, they had a hospital and a long-term care facility (now expanding). Being in a growth phase, their challenge is to keep up with demand for services such as childcare, and to add enough municipal staff to handle the activity.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">There has been a library expansion, trail development, a downtown that promotes its charm, popularity with cyclists, a desire to protect a rural and mill heritage, and growth in home-based businesses.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">“Councillor Torrance today showed our community what Erin could become if we build a sewage treatment facility – a healthy and vibrant community,” said Mayor Alls. “Her story is proof of the positive economic benefits that a facility could bring, including new jobs and diversified housing options.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">Alls said upcoming revisions to Erin’s Official Plan will determine exactly where new housing will be allowed, and define “what we want to be when we grow up”.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Phil Gravellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13257146271785101694noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-81312440380433089.post-3876563427482597312018-04-05T12:52:00.000-04:002018-09-30T13:03:18.144-04:00Lack of trust holding town back<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria; margin: 0in 4.5pt 0.0001pt 0in; text-indent: 27pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial;">As the Town of Erin prepares to embark on a major expansion, it needs to deal with a chronic lack of trust between the municipal corporation and the residents it currently serves.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial;">Of course, people know that the roads will be plowed, the water supply will remain of high quality, the ice will be ready for hockey players and the tax bills will arrive without fail. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial;">But most people just don’t care about how local government works, and they are under no obligation to do so. Many feel it is an out-of-control system that takes a lot of their money and only gives a little in return.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial;">As an independent observer, I don’t think the town is out of control. Local municipal projects are often very expensive, very slow moving and highly controlled by provincial regulations and funding. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial;">Yes, the town should be aggressive in finding ways to be more efficient and innovative. But it also needs to do better at communicating – regaining trust and building up its image.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial;">I spoke recently with Garland Williamson, a farm owner and businessman. He has no specific objection to construction of a wastewater system, but is concerned about the town spending millions of dollars and lacking expertise.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial;">He wonders how the town will manage a doubling of its population if it can’t properly manage what it has now.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial;">Often it is what people actually see when they drive around town that affects their confidence in the municipality. Williamson brings up the example of the entrance to the medical centre and Tim Hortons from the intersection on County Road 124.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial;">The county did not want traffic coming in from that intersection, but agreed to a compromise – a sharp curve in which two cars cannot pass by in opposite directions. And the number of parking spaces is inadequate.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial;">People don’t care how much it was the county’s fault or the town’s fault, or the fact that it was a previous council. They just know it is a municipal failure, and that they are stuck with it for a long time.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial;">He also raises the property standards bylaw. You can drive around town and see properties with old cars and other junk out front – apparent violations of the bylaw. There are various new homes where the landscaping is not completed until years after the house construction. There have also been many complaints about improper dumping of soil fill. There’s a general feeling that nothing is being done.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial;">Mayor Allan Alls said the Town has to pick its battles, since bylaw cases often get bogged down in expensive court battles. Just recently, council agreed to upgrade the Bylaw Enforcement Officer position from part-time to full-time on a contract basis.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial;">CAO Nathan Hyde and the mayor acknowledged that the town has an image problem.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial;">“We do need to communicate a lot better with the public – we need to have positive outreach with the community,” said Hyde, who has been CAO for just over a year.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial;">He is hoping that the recent hiring of Jessica Spina as Communications and Special Projects Officer will help with that process. There will be a Citizen Engagement Charter coming out later this year, and development of a new Strategic Plan. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial;">He said the staff reorganization last year was designed to improve delivery of core services, and that performance standards are in place to measure how well they succeed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial;">“My mission is to make Erin a future-ready community, which means ready for growth and ready for investment,” he said. “That’s us being ready for wastewater down the road. Council has bought into that vision and that’s the direction we’re going.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial;">All of the department heads are new in the last two years, and staff are under a customer service mandate, so let’s give them a chance to deliver.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial;">“We want the public to have over time a level of comfort in what we’re doing, because we exist to serve them,” said Hyde.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Phil Gravellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13257146271785101694noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-81312440380433089.post-26823855038808222492018-03-29T15:43:00.000-04:002018-05-08T15:44:17.258-04:00Erin council remuneration totals $120,062<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria; margin: 0in 0in 6pt; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial;">Remuneration for Erin town council members totaled $120,062 in 2017, according to an annual report by Director of Finance Ursula D’Angelo.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial;">Mayor Allan Alls received a salary of $27,000, while each of the other members received $16,200. Other benefits including employer contributions for pension and insurance premiums are valued at up to $7,018.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial;">The Municipal Act requires the treasurer to provide an itemized statement of amounts paid to members of council and other boards.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial;">Councillors are allowed to claim the cost of attending conferences and other expenses. The town paid expenses of totalling $1,173 for the mayor, $2,706 for John Brennan and $1,725 for Jeff Duncan. Councillors Matt Sammut and Rob Smith claimed no expenses.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial;">Anyone considering running for council in the October 22 election should be aware of a Candidate Information Session to be held Thursday, April 12, 6:30 p.m., in Aboyne Hall at the Wellington County Museum and Archives near Fergus.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial;">It is a free education session conducted by the Ontario Ministry of Municipal Affairs. It covers qualifications, financial obligations, candidate responsibilities and the roles of council and municipal staff.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial;">Nominations can be filed as of May 1 and the deadline is July 27.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Phil Gravellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13257146271785101694noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-81312440380433089.post-46810755749058566242018-03-29T15:37:00.000-04:002018-05-08T15:41:54.471-04:00Town gets $1.5 million for Hillsburgh bridge project<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria; margin: 0in 0in 6pt; text-indent: 22.3pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial;">The Town of Erin has received a $1.5 million provincial grant that will cover more than half the cost of rebuilding the Station Street bridge in Hillsburgh.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial;">The total cost of the project, which includes rehabilitation of the millpond dam, is estimated at $2.5 million. Design work will be completed this year, with tendering expected in the fall and the start of construction in the spring of 2019.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial;">“The significant repairs being done to the structure will be of added value to the town as we continue to grow,” said Mayor Allan Alls.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAfFlRY_czYuNe0D5RdzbfSPRUbFH9RJ6dXSRT98lv1dWuQlI7vK068hTITSp61b_pkMiLc27RfOgJEGmLaWVM35Nkg8AfTxhNCyOHLYFmtviQ-IMWvBKhjMCUEriqCZmJHn9tilH8ROT3/s1600/Hillsburgh+Dam+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1060" data-original-width="1600" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAfFlRY_czYuNe0D5RdzbfSPRUbFH9RJ6dXSRT98lv1dWuQlI7vK068hTITSp61b_pkMiLc27RfOgJEGmLaWVM35Nkg8AfTxhNCyOHLYFmtviQ-IMWvBKhjMCUEriqCZmJHn9tilH8ROT3/s640/Hillsburgh+Dam+1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
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Wellington County owns the water control structure in the </div>
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Hillsburgh millpond dam, while the Town of Erin owns</div>
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the earthen berm that supports Station Street.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc3oXIrl1xf_5BPCfyIvozwbA3ay3N-j2wzPptjDKYL84XVlwXSNtct6Vc4JSeUjVXyyqpJKxcM4oMTIItAiiKIivdyUuYNkGloIzf4v6HhexqMllCSb47Uv6frE1k-BKOv8S4zJuq3Wkr/s1600/Hillsburgh+Dam+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1060" data-original-width="1600" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc3oXIrl1xf_5BPCfyIvozwbA3ay3N-j2wzPptjDKYL84XVlwXSNtct6Vc4JSeUjVXyyqpJKxcM4oMTIItAiiKIivdyUuYNkGloIzf4v6HhexqMllCSb47Uv6frE1k-BKOv8S4zJuq3Wkr/s640/Hillsburgh+Dam+2.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
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Gooderham and Worts built the dam that created the </div>
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Hillsburgh millpond in the early 1850s, with a new mill that </div>
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shipped grain to what is now Toronto’s Distillery District. </div>
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The Station Street bridge was built in 1917.</div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial;">The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs approved the grant through the top-up component of the Ontario Community Infrastructure Fund (OCIF). The town applied for $1,576,988 in July last year, but the grant was not approved until the Minister of the Environment and Climate Change gave the project the green light.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial;">“The OCIF grant is great win for the Town,” said CAO Nathan Hyde. Erin has been turned down for OCIF grants in recent years. The program provides long-term funding for small, rural and northern communities to develop and renew their infrastructure. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial;">The project was the subject of an environmental assessment that recommended preserving the millpond. Town council and Wellington County backed the EA result, but it was challenged by Credit Valley Conservation and others who preferred either decommissioning the pond, or creating a smaller, off-line pond. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial;">Town council was prepared to go ahead with the project without a grant, and had arranged $2.5 million in debt financing. Mayor Alls said he expects that debt will still be used to cover the balance of the cost.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial;">He said the town might be able to reduce the cost of the project if sections of the dam’s foundation can be re-used. Construction will have to be timed to avoid disruption of trout hatching.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial;">The bridge was built in 1917 and was first identified in 1971 as being in need of replacement. Although the dam had repairs and reinforcement after an outlet pipe failed in 2011, forcing temporary closure of the road, the province is insisting that the risk of failure be brought up to modern standards.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Phil Gravellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13257146271785101694noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-81312440380433089.post-5299997124655774832018-03-29T15:33:00.000-04:002018-05-08T15:34:17.060-04:00LOOKING BACK – Brother home safely<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Helvetica; margin: 0in 0in 6pt; text-indent: 27.35pt;">
<i><span lang="EN-US">From the Advocate – 100 years ago (1918)<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-US">Brother home safely<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">Pte. W. Sutton, who has been overseas for the past two years, has returned home. It will be remembered that his brother Pte. Geo. Sutton made the supreme sacrifice some months ago. In Hillsburg, Mr. E. Royce, son of Mr. and Mrs. F.W. Royce is home from the Front, where he has been for over three years.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-US">Remembering George Short<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">George Short was born in Erin on April 4, 1918 and lived much of his life in the village. He passed away in his 100<sup>th</sup>year, on March 16, 2018. I interviewed the World War Two veteran and his wife Florence a few years ago to hear stories of earlier times in Erin, and found them to be most hospitable. George helped develop minor hockey in Erin and once managed the arena on the Agricultural Society grounds. He was well loved and respected in the community and will be sadly missed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span lang="EN-US">From the Advocate – 35 years ago (1983)<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-US">New firehall needed<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">The volunteer firemen of the Erin Fire Department have decided to “take the bull by the horns” and raise the needed money to build a new fire hall. “We can’t count on any government money or grants,” said firefighter Terry Osborne. “We have decided to get the ball rolling and do it ourselves.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">Deputy Chief Bob Bates said they need more space for their equipment. The vehicles have to be washed and maintained outside, and there is no room for lockers or showers for the men after they come back from a call. The department has a 1943 vehicle that has to be parked elsewhere due to lack of space. Hoses are dried on the floor, which can produce mold and rot. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">The department’s ladies’ auxiliary will have a fundraising garage sale, and there will be a door-to-door blitz of residents in the village, and the eastern corner of the township serviced by the village department. Their workload has increased from 59 calls in 1979 to 92 calls in 1982.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span lang="EN-US">From the Advocate – 25 years ago (1993)<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-US">Tight purse strings at Township<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">Organizations requesting funding from Erin Township should be warned that early signs point to tight control of 1993 expenditures. Barb Tocher presented the Library Board’s request for an extra $3,000 in operating funds and $20,000 in capital funding, and Karen Smith of the Ballinafad Community Centre presented a pared down operating budget and a request for $5,000 in capital funding. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">Council made no promises on the funding, with Reeve Duncan Armstrong saying, “We have no problem with needs, but wants are another matter.” Clayton Leigh told council the 16,000 books now housed by the library is low for a community of this size. In 1982 the library received $13,800 when they had an annual circulation of 25,000, but in 1992 funding had only gone up to $14,700 for a circulation of 41,000.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span lang="EN-US">From the Advocate – 20 years ago (1998)<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-US">Ice storm wrecks havoc<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">A severe ice storm caused major damage to trees and knocked out power to many in the Erin area last week. Erin Rent-All owner Carol Mercer said her husband Vic had been out all night Wednesday delivering generators. Police were busy directing traffic at major intersections, and people were checking in on seniors to make sure they had assistance if needed. On Dundas Street, half a tree crashed down on the roof of a home. Ontario Hydro said about 60,000 people in Southern Ontario were without power for more than two days. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Phil Gravellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13257146271785101694noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-81312440380433089.post-71886708065907109512018-03-29T15:30:00.000-04:002018-05-08T15:31:24.759-04:00Grant helps expand high school micro-farm<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 6pt; text-indent: 22.3pt;">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Everdale Farm has received a $25,000 grant to expand the micro-farm project at Erin District High School (EDHS) and create a how-to manual for other schools to follow.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It’s one of 15 projects promoting local food production and growth of the agri-food sector, to be supported by $315,000 in grants through the Greenbelt Fund.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The EDHS project started last spring, with previous financial support from the Ontario Trillium Foundation and the TD Friends of the Environment Foundation. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Student work bees were organized during Friday lunch periods on a section of land owned by the school board, across from the library area of Centre 2000. Three-foot high metal enclosures were erected and filled with soil to create raised beds, which improve drainage and make crops easier to manage.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijUMLoeEnNI78xpnEfW-GiuPmT_cMaD1mAT6___Rqo0dkmQ9EGtWd3yFu2mDwFBaKsprsUbOP1y5pKW2L97hmWhHY06VMGycqxILos9DM1pa0J1BtuoHIkW7GLcAsMLPSUHHb_bzBCV7YQ/s1600/Planting+at+EDHS+May+2017.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="682" data-original-width="688" height="634" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijUMLoeEnNI78xpnEfW-GiuPmT_cMaD1mAT6___Rqo0dkmQ9EGtWd3yFu2mDwFBaKsprsUbOP1y5pKW2L97hmWhHY06VMGycqxILos9DM1pa0J1BtuoHIkW7GLcAsMLPSUHHb_bzBCV7YQ/s640/Planting+at+EDHS+May+2017.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
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Erin District High School students planted the first raised beds last year.</div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-indent: 22.3pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-indent: 22.3pt;">“We wanted to make it like a farm park,” said Everdale co-founder and youth director Karen Campbell.</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-indent: 22.3pt;"> </span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The idea was to create links to the community, potentially selling some produce to local businesses or restaurants, or donating some to the food bank. The micro-farm is also intended to as a teaching space, supporting areas of the curriculum such as literacy, numeracy and the development of work and leadership skills.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Everdale staff are also creating a comprehensive “Start a Micro Farm at Your School” teaching module to help other schools replicate the project, including advice on soil composition and sample crop plans.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Everdale is a non-profit organic farm near Hillsburgh celebrating its 20th year. Their endeavours include the Harvest Share program that provides weekly produce for members, sales at farmers’ markets, events such as Carrotfest, farmer training programs and internships, and farm school programs designed for various interests and grade levels.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">More raised beds have now been constructed at EDHS and there are plans for an area of ground-level planting. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Since students are away from school in the summer, the strategy is to plant quick-growing crops like lettuce and spinach that can be harvested in late spring, then planting seeds for longer term crops like carrots, kale and potatoes that can be harvested in the fall.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It is a continuation of a longer-term effort at the high school to bring more healthy alternatives to the cafeteria, where students from the hospitality program cook and serve food.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Students with interests in farming, food and environmental issues have been involved. The art department is decorating the new picnic tables and tech students are working on a sign.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The school has received EcoSchool certification for its efforts to reduce energy consumption in the building, the installation of water bottle filling stations and the use of composting bins for the cafeteria. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Environmental Club, under the supervision of teacher Ross Watson, planted an herb garden in 2013 on the far side of the parking lot to supply some fresh greens to the cafeteria.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Brainstorming on possible future developments ranges from an outdoor classroom to establishment of nut trees or perennials such as raspberry plants.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Erin is part of the Wellington County Local Food Initiative known as Taste Real. As part of the county’s economic development strategy, it is building a network that includes farms, restaurants, food retailers and the growing farm tourism sector.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; text-indent: 0px;">“By increasing access to local food and drink, and supporting innovation in processing, we are strengthening rural and urban economies, creating good jobs, and building a more sustainable future,” said Jeff Leal, Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs.</span></div>
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Phil Gravellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13257146271785101694noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-81312440380433089.post-22415710509579997002018-03-22T15:23:00.000-04:002018-05-08T15:24:41.480-04:00LOOKING BACK – Strike at Graham Fibre Glass<div class="Philstext" style="margin: 0in 0in 6pt; text-indent: 27.35pt;">
<i><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">From the Advocate – 35 years ago (1983)<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Graham Fibre Glass workers on strike<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Graham Fibre Glass, Erin’s largest employer, has been quiet since March 17 when 71 production workers walked off the job. The members of Local 271 of the International Aluminum, Brick and Glassworkers had been working without a contract since Jan. 11. Their average wage is $8.33 an hour. Local president Bob Anderson said the main issues are wages and benefits. General manager Ian Graham said the company was completely surprised by the strike and breakdown of negotiations. “Money didn’t seem to be the issue,” he said.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Caledon residents want farmland preserved<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A survey by Caledon Ward One Councillor shows strong support for the preservation of agricultural lands, low growth, control of gravel pits and a plebiscite on regional government. John Alexander got responses from over 300 residents in the western part of the town, including Belfountain, Alton and Caledon Village. More than two thirds supported policies of low residential and commercial/industrial growth. Most also favoured maintaining the Niagara Escarpment Commission, and most said urban services such as street lighting, curbs and road paving are not needed.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<i><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">From the Advocate – 25 years ago (1993)<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Village to keep up with the times<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Residents learned about Erin’s plan to keep abreast of changing economic and social trends, at a public meeting to discuss a background report on the Village Official Plan. Deputy Reeve Carolann Osborne was pleased with the high turnout. Updating the plan will cost about $10,840 according to Wellington County Senior Planner Aldo Salis.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The report said the village population has had slow growth, from 2,315 in 1981 to 2,489 in 1993. The average household size is 2.9. The schools have portables, and new schools may be needed to handle future growth, but growth is currently restrained by lack of municipal sewage treatment. The municipal landfill site will reach capacity in 1995.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">No extra policing for Erin<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Reeve Terry Mundell is continuing to press for a greater police presence in the village, but Wellington OPP Inspector Walter Trachsel told village council that current coverage is adequate. “Someone who lives in a small town can’t expect the same level of policing they would get in an urban area, because they are not paying the high taxes,” he said. While the OPP has had gradual improvements in staffing and efficiency, the village has lobbied the provincial government for more police funding. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Mundell has been investigating the cost of Erin hiring its own police officers. Trachsel said residents and store owners must be more proactive in preventing crime. There are plans to revive the Community Oriented Policing group, and the Business Improvement Area has started a reward program to help solve petty crimes in the area. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<i><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">From the Advocate – 20 years ago (1998)<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">$40,000 pledged for youth centre<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The 60-member audience at a public meeting on the new Erin Multi-use facility applauded as Everett Roberts, Director of Youth Activities for the Erin Optimist Club, pledged $40,000 towards a youth centre in the facility. The meeting included a presentation on options from the project management firm C.A. Ventin, and was a chance for councillors to assess public support for town involvement. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Councillors Rod Finnie, Ken Chapman and Culver Riley want the town to be involved, but Mayor Barb Tocher and Councillor George Root have expressed serious reservations. Tocher said she was concerned about taking on debt, while Dave Dautovich, head of the high school council, responded by saying “elected members have to show leadership”. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; text-indent: 0px;">Other possible partners expressing interest in the centre include the Rotary Club, the Tennis Club, Erin Hoops, Erin Little Theatre, Sue’s Moves, Dr. Walcott and Dr. Mathieson. Irene Smedley said EWAG would like to establish a seniors’ centre.</span></div>
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Phil Gravellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13257146271785101694noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-81312440380433089.post-53287664644087813452018-03-15T22:09:00.000-04:002018-04-23T22:10:49.816-04:00Tennis Club to be independent of Town<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Town of Erin is doing away with four Community Centre Recreation Boards, but is promising to do so with minimal disruption.<br /><br />A financial audit advised council last fall that having independent groups such as the tennis club within the town’s structure creates an issue with oversight. A report from Clerk Dina Lundy said this could expose the town to legal liabilities and “reputational risk should there be issues with how these enterprises are managed”.<br /><br />Council voted on March 6 to repeal a 1985 Erin Township bylaw that established recreation boards to operate the Erin Tennis Club (ETC) and the Ballinafad Community Centre (BCC), which are still active, and for Victoria Park and the Hillsburgh Community Centre, which are not.<br /><br />The BCC is considered integral to the Parks and Recreation Department, so that board will be converted to an advisory committee. The Town of Halton Hills has agreed to increase its annual contribution to the Ballinafad centre from $500 to $5,000, and they will receive regular financial statements from Erin.<br /><br />The tennis club gets no funds from the town, and membership fees are used for maintenance and a variety of programs. Unlike other sports organizations, the club operates on town property without a rental agreement, and the town holds their reserve funds. <br /><br />The five courts were built and paid for by the town, which borrowed $171,000 for the project in 2002. There was a major court resurfacing in 2015, with the club paying more than half the cost. <br /><br />The town will now sever its financial relationship with the club and negotiate a new agreement for use of the courts, which will also ensure public access.<br /><br />ETC President Chuck Hall said there is concern about the club losing coverage under the town’s insurance, and reminded council that club members have made significant contributions of money and volunteer labour towards the facilities.<br /><br />CAO Nathan Hyde said the club could be allowed to continue temporarily on town insurance, and that staff will work with them “to make the transition as seamless as possible”.<br /><br />Mayor Al Alls said, “We won’t leave you stranded.”</span>Phil Gravellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13257146271785101694noreply@blogger.com