REPORT ON COUNCIL:
March 12, 2012
Committee of the Whole Meeting: 9:00 am –10:57 am
Confidential closed session 10:57-11:40
Regular Meeting: 7:00 pm – 8:21 pm
Deputy Mayor Lawrence, Councillors Warren and Wishart present at CoW
Councillor Claire also present at Regular meeting
Deputy Mayor Lawrence chaired all meetings in the absence of Mayor Millar
New Towers for Broadband Internet Proposed by Point to Point and Bell
Doug Taylor, Manager Administrative Services/Treasurer, reported on the lease agreement and proposed locations of the communication towers by Point to Point Broadband Inc. Towers would be at four locations leased on municipal property: Bush Tower, Concession 18, Lot 25; Lafontaine Tower, Concession 15, Lot 21; CBO Park Tower Concession 9, Lot 16; and Pump house Tower at Plan 1371 Water Works. A formal by-law and lease agreement will be presented at a later date once authorization is received from the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs and Industry Canada and pending the vendors satisfactory execution of the Industry Canada public consultation process for ‘Radio communication and Broadcasting Antenna Systems’.
Shawn Persaud, Manager of Planning & Development, reported that Bell Mobility wants planning permission to build a steel telecommunications tower on the North Part of Lot 21, Concession 14W to provide wireless and data services. The site measures 1,680 sq. ft. and will have security fencing. The steel tower will be 115 ft high and property owners within 3 times the tower height received an information pamphlet, and an article was placed in the Sept. 22 issue of the Midland Free Press and Midland Mirror. Bell provided a Site Selection/Justification Report on Jan. 30, 2012. The next step is to attain municipal concurrence in order to request formal approval from Industry Canada.
Council approved both proposals and authorized the Chief Administrative Officer/Clerk, to send the necessary letters.
By-law to Regulate the Rate of Speed/Balm Beach Road West
Council approved a by-law to reduce the speed limit along Balm Beach Road West to 40 km/h east of Albert Street for 270 m to Tiny Beaches Road North.
Request Refused to Purchase a Portion Lot 14, Concession 12
The Committee considered a request to purchase municipally owned property known as Pt Lot 14, Concession 12, (Parts 1 -3, Reference Plan 51R-18025) This is a plot on the east side of County Road 6 north of the curve between Conc. 12 and 13. The adjacent owners believed they had purchased this plot when they acquired their homesite on the curve in 1980. Council resolved that the subject parcel of land will remain in municipal hands.
Holding Symbol Removal By-law Approved
Council passed a Zoning By-law to remove a Holding (H) symbol affecting various properties throughout the Township that have complied with current standards for the septic sewage systems. Following a septic inspection only five properties have a Holding symbol on their property.
Changes to Burn Permits
Council has approved increased fees for burn permits, and new validity dates apply to some types of permits. Make sure you apply and for receive from the Township Office the appropriate permit you need.
Septage Class EA Project Update
Councillor Warren reported that the mandate of the Septage Class EA Project Advisory Committee is now complete. He also reported that R. J. Burnside & Associates would be presenting information on the Class EA at the April 10, 2012 Council meeting, and this will be followed by a 3rd Public Information Centre scheduled for April 21, 2012.
Emerald Ash Borer
Deputy Mayor Lawrence presented a letter from Toni Ellis, President of the Ontario Urban Forest Council requesting Council’s endorsement for financial assistance from the Federal and Provincial governments to combat the spread of Emerald Ash Borer. Effective programs involve creating an inventory count of ash trees; monitoring the distribution of Emerald Ash Borers; identifying and treating trees; removing infected trees and disposing of wood waste; planting replacement trees. Currently neither the Federal nor Provincial governments are providing sufficient financial/management support to municipalities for implementation of any part of an EAB program. Council resolved to support the Ontario Urban Forest Council in this matter.
