Joanne Shuttleworth

PUSLINCH – The property tax increase in Puslinch is currently sitting at 4.1% for every property type and even though there was some grumbling about it at a public meeting on Jan. 17, that number is unlikely to change.

CENTRE WELLINGTON – Mayor Shawn Watters hopes to see a childcare centre established in Belwood and filed a notice of motion so council can discuss the idea.

FERGUS – Tucked out of view at the Trailside Medical Centre, but easily accessible to anyone, is a food pantry, where people struggling to make ends meet can pick up non-perishable food and hygiene items. The Upper Grand Family Health Team has partnered with the CW Food Bank to offer a food hub.

WELLINGTON COUNTY –Community Living Guelph Wellington received a bit of a reprieve from the Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services and intends to restart its day programs and EmployMEnt Options at the end of January.

PUSLINCH – Puslinch residents are catching on to recycling in a big way. Results of a pilot program with recycling bins in public places indicate an 80 per cent recovery rate for beverage containers which is high, and a 30% contamination rate, which is low.

ELORA – Centre Wellington council approved a new Community Heritage Grant Program on Jan. 15.

PUSLINCH – A damning report by Ontario’s Auditor General on the state of the aggregate industry echoes concerns raised for decades by Puslinch council and its citizens. Namely, there is not enough compliance by aggregate operators and not enough oversight by the Ministry of Natural Resources.

GUELPH – A man living with Parkinson’s disease who completed an 85-day cross-country cycling trip, saw significant reduction in his disease symptoms, say University of Guelph researchers who assessed the man’s condition for new research.

PUSLINCH – Township staff and the heritage advisory committee have identified 19 historic properties in Puslinch they hope to have designated this year.

ELORA - Jefferson Elora Community Centre holds its grand re-opening on Jan. 5. “Recreation centres are at the centre of healthy communities, especially rural communities,” said Senator Rob Black.

PUSLINCH – While other municipalities in Wellington County are planning for more housing and possibly expanding their urban boundaries, Puslinch Township hopes to add more industry to its tax base.

ELORA – Centre Wellington Mayor Shawn Watters sat down with the Advertiser to talk about his first year in office, the first year of the all-new council, and the task at hand for the council he says will be known as the “planning council.”

ELORA – Considering the growing popularity of Airbnb and similar websites, and faced with a shortage of housing in the township, Centre Wellington council is concerned that accommodations for tourists are taking precedence over accommodations for residents.

FERGUS – Council here approved a development application for 820 St. David St. N. (Highway 6) at its Dec. 18 meeting, but not without some reservations.