School closure process on hold

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.

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.

“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. 

“The Board will review LTAP projections and priorities annually and will reflect future decisions of the Town of Erin.”

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.

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.

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.

If the town gets adequate funding and decides to proceed with a wastewater system, construction could start within five years.

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.

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.

Grant helps expand high school micro-farm

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.

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.

The EDHS project started last spring, with previous financial support from the Ontario Trillium Foundation and the TD Friends of the Environment Foundation. 

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.

Erin District High School students planted the first raised beds last year.

 “We wanted to make it like a farm park,” said Everdale co-founder and youth director Karen Campbell. 

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.

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.

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.

More raised beds have now been constructed at EDHS and there are plans for an area of ground-level planting. 

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.

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.

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.

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. 

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.

Brainstorming on possible future developments ranges from an outdoor classroom to establishment of nut trees or perennials such as raspberry plants.

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.

“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.

ERIN INSIGHT – 500 weeks of not being a bot

When I sit down to write for the Advocate every week, I gather all of my information into a numbered folder, a system that started with my first column in July 2008.

This week I have the satisfaction of hitting a milestone, with a folder labeled “Week 500”. The series includes one (or sometimes two) columns per week, hundreds of news stories, and a whack of features, photos and editorials.

The first column was called Moonlighting for Gas Money. I’ve enjoyed the freedom of picking my own topics and putting a personal twist on local news. I’ve been like one of those pesky horseflies that just keeps buzzing around.

It has been like writing three or four essays a week, for an English course that never ends. That can be challenging, but it’s way more fun than being the editor – good riddance to that job.

In case you missed an article, or are having a hard time falling asleep, the columns and major news stories are available on my blog, erininsight.blogspot.com. There are no comments from readers.

The blog is useful for checking an older story or reading up on an issue, maybe prior to the October municipal election.

Not only can you search for key words or phrases, but there is a topic index – for example, 57 stories on education, 61 on farming, 105 on history, 11 on suicide, 18 on theatre, and (the grand-daddy) 112 on sewers.

Warning: Do not attempt to read all the sewer articles in one day. The fumes could be hazardous.

I’m not sure if readers are actually any better off as a result of all my scribbling, but I know for sure that anyone who cares about Erin’s public affairs certainly has had the opportunity to be well-informed.

The key bits in the previous sentence are “anyone who cares” and “public affairs”. People are often so overloaded with information from the internet and other media that they are forced to retreat into not caring about pubic business. Jobs and family needs come first, and can consume all of your energy.

For those with some attention to spare, contact with the outside world often includes Facebook, Twitter and a variety of platforms that engage people on topics of their choice. That can be good, but there are dangers.

First of all, you get inundated with crap you don’t want. Second, spammers and programmers are always trying to invade your devices, scooping up private information and ensuring that you receive ads and “news” that match your interests.

If you only engage with people who are almost the same as you, and only receive news that simply entertains you or reinforces your existing attitudes, how will you ever develop an understanding your society or other cultures?

Then there are the bots, computer programs that control a robotic virtual character, imitating human behaviour on the web. I am persistent, but I am not one of those.

Bots can analyze information and carry out tasks much faster than a human brain. They can answer questions, chat with you, teach you, search for information such as on-line bargains and even make comments on news stories.

Bots can be used for cheating at video games, conducting attacks on major networks, or the rapid spreading of news that may be “fake” or slanted to promote a political cause. They could even help steal an election.

Traditional news sources, on the other hand, are good for democracy. Truthful news and diversity of opinion (whether on-paper, on-air or on-line) help bind communities together.

Old-fashioned journalists may not be totally unbiased, but at least they apply a filter to the flow of information that guards against manipulators and upholds the public interest.

Residents hope to avoid school closures

When Erin and Hillsburgh parents were asked what they want their schools to be in the future, their main response was “Open!”

About 100 people turned out to a workshop style meeting at Erin Public School on Feb. 28, hoping to discuss low enrolment issues.

The meeting was hosted by the Upper Grand District School Board (UGDSB), as part of the consultation process in developing a Long Term Accommodation Plan (LTAP) throughout Wellington, Dufferin and Guelph.

There will be another round of consultation before the final plan goes to trustees in June. There will be no recommendations on school closures – just further steps in a lengthy process that could lead to future changes.

There was some frustration because the meeting format did not allow attendees to make comments or ask direct questions of school board officials in the public session. Instead, people sat in rotating groups of six and were asked to describe their schools now, and what they want them to be.

 “The discussion questions last night were odd,” said Cooper in a Facebook post. “They didn't address the issues the school communities were facing at all.”

Town Councillor Jeff Duncan called the questions “lame”, since they did not deal with enrolment.

“This was an intentional attempt by Board officials, not even supported by their own trustee, to keep a lid on the community being able to voice its concern over the real issue here of the future closure of schools,” said Duncan. Residents were asked to fill out an on-line survey that closed just two days later.

There is particular concern over enrolment at Ross R. Mackay School in Hillsburgh. Its population of 90 students is expected to drop to 64 in five years, using only 32 per cent of the school’s capacity.

That rate could stay low if there is no housing growth, making it a candidate for closure. With new subdivisions supported by sewers, enrolment could rebound to 165 (83 per cent usage) in ten years.

The discussion groups were able to bring forward suggestions to help boost attendance at MacKay, including a boundary review that could increase its catchment area, and the transfer of some special education classes to the school.

There is also the possibility of making Brisbane Public School entirely French Immersion, which could result in more English-only students at MacKay.

Cooper supported investigation of such alternatives, but said the suggestion of adding Grades 7 and 8 at MacKay would not be practical. Technology courses for those grades are only feasible with higher student populations.

With sewage capacity to support new housing, Brisbane is projected to reach 107 per cent of capacity (477 students) in 10 years and Erin Public School to reach 79 per cent (423 students). Without substantial new housing, Brisbane would grow more slowly, reaching 101 per cent in 10 years, while Erin Public would decline to 47 per cent.

St. John Brebeuf Catholic School in Erin village currently has 238 students, but could accommodate more than 300. Principal Lowell Butts​ said they are holding steady, with the same number of students as in the previous school year.

Mayor Al Alls and Trustee Cooper have urged residents to support development of a wastewater system, but there is concern about the cost to existing urban homeowners. An Environmental Assessment is expected to wrap up this spring with a definite wastewater plan, but an actual system could still take well over five years to develop.

“The town has spent a large amount of money, time and energy in going through the regulatory hoops to allow for growth in our community,” said Duncan.

“I would hope the UGDSB would over the short to mid term allow this required process to play out and work with us.”

Skeptical crowd reviews wastewater plan

Many Erin residents are not convinced that a wastewater system costing $118 million is the best course of action for the town, and they vented their doubts loudly at a public meeting on Feb. 2.

There was a presentation by Ainley Group, the consultants hired to complete the final phases of an Environmental Assessment (EA). The current plan estimates a cost of $50-$60 million to service the existing 4,500 residents in Hillsburgh and Erin village. The balance would be paid by developers as the urban population increases by about 10,000 over 20-30 years.

Limits on the town’s debt capacity mean the project would only be feasible with substantial senior government funding. One resident noted that if the town uses up most of its debt capacity for wastewater, it would not be available to support other important infrastructure projects.

Another received applause after suggesting there be a referendum on whether to proceed with sewers. Several also expressed doubt about the chances of the project being completed on budget.

Some residents are satisfied with the current set-up of private septic systems, saying that problems with aging systems do not constitute an emergency.

“Why should we be excited about spending all this money when we’ve got what we need in our back yard?” said one speaker. “Just leave us alone.”

Another said many people moved to Erin for the low housing density, and that a sewer system would allow developers such as Solmar to “get rich” building denser neighbourhoods.

“We’re going to spend 50 to 60 million so Solmar can build houses and destroy our community?” he said.

One resident reminded the crowd that the reason residential tax bills are so high is the lack of a substantial commercial and industrial tax base. Wastewater service could help correct that imbalance.

Some were concerned about impact on the West Credit River, but were told that the effluent would be treated to such a high level that the discharge would be well within Ministry of the Environment limits. No storm water will be allowed in the sanitary sewers, eliminating the possibility of waste bypassing the treatment plant during a storm.

Ainley President Joe Mullan said the preferred option of a traditional gravity sewer system would provide the “lowest operating cost in the long term”.

He said if the projected cost per household of $20,000-$25,000 (based on full build-out) is offset by two-thirds grant funding, homeowners would pay $6,700-$8,300. This could be spread over many years as a low-interest loan.

In addition, they would have to pay for the connection from their houses to the road, now estimated at an average of $6,000. Hook-up would be mandatory in serviced areas, though it could be delayed.

There would also be ongoing wastewater bills, similar to water bills, averaging $400-$500 annually. Mullan noted that provision of sewers normally causes property values to rise.

Full details of the Ainley presentation can be downloaded from the wastewater section of the town website, erin.ca.

Mayor Al Alls had previously voiced his personal opinion that all taxpayers, including rural residents who would never hook up to sewage treatment, should pay a share of system construction. They are already helping pay for the EA process. In a recent interview, however, Alls conceded that urban residents would pay construction costs (offset by government grants and developers’ contributions).

He reminded residents that all members of the current town council were elected in 2014 after promising to support moderate growth, with wastewater as a key element. The next municipal election is Oct. 22 this year.

“We need sewage capacity,” he said. “The status quo can only lead to further decline.”

He read an appeal from public school trustee Kathryn Cooper, who urged residents to support wastewater service as a means of increasing the number of families with school-age children. A meeting about declining enrolment and potential school closures will be held Feb. 28 at 7 p.m. at the Erin Public School gym.

The EA remains in a public consultation stage, and comments are invited before the end of February. After that, Ainley will work with the town and the Public Liaison Committee to prepare an Environmental Study Report, which will be subject to an official 30-day public review period.

If accepted by council, the EA could be complete by late spring, though the results could be appealed to the Minister of the Environment with “Part II Order” requests. The completed EA is needed to apply for federal and provincial funding.

Comments can be sent to Project Coordinator Christine Furlong of Triton Engineering, cfurlong@triton.on.ca; or to Ainley President Joe Mullan, erin.urban.classea@ainleygroup.com.

Consultation on declining school enrolment

The public school board is starting a community consultation process on declining enrolment, with Ross R. MacKay School in Hillsburgh projected to drop to just 64 students – 32 per cent of the school’s capacity – in five years if there is no residential growth.

A public engagement workshop will be held Wednesday, Feb. 28 at 7 p.m. at the Erin Public School gym to explain the Upper Grand District School Board’s Long Term Accommodation Plan (LTAP) Background Report.

It’s one of five workshops planned in Guelph, Wellington and Dufferin. There will be additional workshops in May, and a final report to board trustees in June.

A new wastewater system is considered crucial to reversing the 

enrolment decline at Erin Public School and Ross R. MacKay School.

The LTAP report sets out two scenarios for the three public elementary schools in the Town of Erin, one with substantial residential growth starting in five years, and the other without that growth. Five years is the earliest point at which construction of a sewer system could start, supporting future housing subdivisions.

“This is only the first step in the process. No recommendations around school closures have even been considered at this time,” said UGDSB Trustee Kathryn Cooper.

“The purpose of this meeting is to examine the background document which speaks to the current declining populations of students in the region, the condition of schools and potential for growth in the community.”

A Public Information Centre on wastewater will be held by the town on Friday, Feb. 2 in the Centre 2000 theatre, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., with a presentation at 7 p.m. There will be an opportunity for the public to ask questions and make comments.

A series of reports analyzing aspects of the wastewater project can be downloaded from the wastewater section of the town website, erin.ca.

The town’s three public elementary schools have a 2017 combined population of 839. Brisbane has 403 students (90 per cent of capacity), Erin Public School (EPS) has 346 (65 per cent of capacity) and MacKay has 90 (45 per cent of capacity). The low utilization rate at EPS is partly because it is located in a former high school.

Assuming that the town will have the sewage capacity to support new housing in five years, Brisbane is projected to reach 107 per cent of capacity (477 students) in 10 years, EPS to reach 79 per cent (423 students) and MacKay to reach 83 per cent (165 students), for a total elementary population of 1,065.

“It is not known when the Town of Erin will have sewage capacity to support housing development,” says the draft LTAP. The alternate projection without substantial growth shows the total elementary population declining to 756 in five years, and then rebounding slightly to 771 in 10 years.

Utilization at Brisbane would continue to rise, but more slowly, reaching 94 per cent in five years and 101 per cent in 10 years. EPS would decline to 51 per cent in five years and to 47 per cent in 10 years.

 MacKay would decline in five years to 64 students (junior kindergarten to grade 6) with a utilization rate of 32 per cent. The rate would rise slightly to 35 per cent in 10 years.

To get more information on the LTAP process or download a copy of the background document, go to ugdsb.ca/board/planning/long-term-accommodation-plan/

With fewer children, Erin is stuck in the middle ages

The number of children living in the Town of Erin is at its lowest point in more than 20 years, according to 2016 census data released last week by Statistics Canada.

Although the town’s population rose 6.2 per cent to 11,439 from 2011 to 2016, the proportion of children aged 0-14 continued a long-term decline.

Back in 1996, Erin had 2,558 children, making up 24 per cent of the population. Now, we’re down to 1,750 children, making up only 15.3 per cent of the population.

By comparison, the national average for the proportion of children 0-14 is 16.6 per cent, while in nearby Georgetown, the proportion is 19.4 per cent.

The total number of children in Erin is down 6 per cent in the last five years, but it’s not as drastic as in the previous 5 years (2006-2011) when the decline was 15 per cent.

Within the 0-14 age group, Statistics Canada reports 450 Erin kids aged 0-4, 595 aged 5 to 9 years and 705 aged 10-14. If these numbers were to stay consistent, it would mean a substantially lower number of elementary school age children, since fewer young children would be entering the school system.

Among adults, Erin’s lowest population groups are ages 25-29 (490 people) and ages 30-34 (450 people). In contrast, the age 50-54 group has 1,275 people and the 55-59 group has 1,105 people.

The population is heavily weighted in the middle groups, with the number aged 35-64 totalling 5,475, almost half the total population.

The number of people in Erin aged 65 and older is 1,725, or 15.1 per cent of the population, which is also lower than the national average of 19.9 per cent.

Population growth in the urban areas of Erin village and Hillburgh is lower than the Town average of 6.2 per cent, meaning that most growth has been in the rural areas.

Erin village up is up 4.9 per cent to 2,647 people, in 1,011 private dwellings (845 being single detached homes). Hillsburgh is up 5.5 per cent to 1,124 people, in 430 private dwellings (365 being single detached homes).

Overall the Town of Erin including rural areas has some 4,100 dwellings, with 3,770 as single-detached homes, 80 attached homes, 150 apartments and 100 moveable homes.

The average household size is 2.8 persons. The breakdown is 635 dwellings with one person, 1,525 with two people, 725 with three people, 795 with four people, and 415 with five or more.

While the census has Erin’s 2016 population at 11,439, the actual number of people living in the Town is probably higher. Some people are normally missed in the census. For the 2011 census, Statistics Canada estimated the “undercount” at 4.1 per cent.