Centre Wellington councillors sit on several committees apiece, and some of those do not receive much attention during the year, even if they do needed work.
Mayor Joanne Ross-Zuj gave her councillors an opportunity at the final meeting of 2007 to provide highlights from their committees for the past year.
Councillor Walt Visser said the new environmental committee has accomplished little because the new structure has members “on a learning curve.”
But, he said, its members are considering sewer and water education for consumers, and they are also “looking into a cosmetic pesticides bylaw.”
The Greenlands committee of which Visser is a member distributed 5,000 trees in Centre Wellington last year, and will do that again this year. It will also work to distribute trees from the county and its Green Legacy program.
Councillor Bob Foster said he is impressed with the members of his recreation and culture committee. He said a highlight is the violence free policy it helped develop for users of municipal facilities. He called it “a policy of respect, fair play, and Sportsmanship.”
Foster noted the committee has also kept up to date on the alcohol policy and rule changes, and ensures the correct number of security personnel are present for events on township property.
He added that the launch of the In Motion program was a highlight of 2007, an attempt to help get all residents “in motion” and healthy.
He noted the launch is October “was a super event” that involved over 5,000 residents from the township.
Councillor Shawn Watters said that the planning committee has some veterans and some new people, including a new chairman in Vinnie Green.
But, Watters noted, its big focus is the township bylaws and he said the task is “daunting” because all the detail can become “tedious” while remaining very important.
“We’re getting into the nuts and bolts,” he said.
Councillor Ron Hallman sits on the Hydro Commission and said 2007 was a busy year.
He said the hydro is moving to “smart meters” and added, “We are organized and ready to go.”
Hallman said the hope is users, homeowners and industry, will be able to get “cheaper electricity.”
Hallman said he knows when something is working so well that he simply leaves it alone. He sits on the Victoria Park seniors’ centre committee.
“They do so well I don’t interfere much. They do a great job,” he said.
He added that the Farm Safety Association also does a good job in promoting safety in the farming community throughout the township, and the county
Councillor Fred Morris said the budget committee used new methods last year, and senior staff “was amazingly patient.”
But, he added, the first budget saw a reduction of township debt by “almost $1-million.”
And, he added, the tax increase from last year was the lowest since Centre Wellington was formed in 1999. On the median assessment of $215,000, the tax increase was $25 in 2007.
Morris noted, too, that the township, like elsewhere, continues to face challenges in repairing and replacing infrastructure.
Morris said Heritage Centre Wellington had ten new designations in 2007, and is hoping for ten more this year.
He noted that the developer involved in the restoration of the James McQueen house has been nominated for a heritage award and will place a plaque on the site. He said that shows Centre Wellington can work with developers.
Morris said the Fergus BIA held several successful events, including a gift to the local women’s shelter, the food bank, and attracted people with a number of events, including a downtown car show. The committee was also involved with the Dec. 31 launch of the Fergus 175th anniversary celebrations.
Councillor Kirk McElwain said the Elora BIA has seen results, with new signs in the downtown, as well as on the highway. He noted that group has purchased more garbage cans and benches, placed flowers on the bride, and set up a plaza on Mill Street at the old bridge.
McElwain said Monster Month in October continues to be a big attraction to Elora, and that at the annual general meeting this year, the Elora BIA had its first budget increase in 15 years.
He added it is also considering expanding its coverage area to include the entire business district, and it is also doing a member survey.
As for the economic development committee, McElwain said it has set up three subcommittees for such things as growth, marketing and a downtown management plan.
”We’re learning where we can find funds,” he said, adding that the committee will be working closely with the planning department for downtown revitalization and brownfield considerations.
McElwain said a green business park plan is “in its infancy” but will include such things as broadband availability, with the intent to attract business that is non-polluting and not necessarily needing or heavily using infrastructure such as roads.
He said that the local committee will be working with the county on some of those issues. “We got a good buy-in from the county.”
Ross-Zuj thanked her councillors and their committee members.
“You can see they’ve been busy,” she said.
