New funding, a finance report and a security reduction were a few of the items discussed at the Nov. 2 Guelph-Eramosa council meeting.
Funding approval
Public works was successful in securing provincial funding from two different applications. The township received $44,404 in funding for 2015 senior programming, $6,400 from the Seniors Community Grant Program and $38,004 through the Recreation Community’s Fund.
The money has been used to expand the Active 55 Program, introduce Music in the Park and offer new older adult workshops and programs.
“It doesn’t have to all be spent in this year,” director of finance Linda Cheyne said. “It’s a two year program.” So what wasn’t used this year will be carried forward to next year.
Finance report
Cheyne presented the financial statements for the period ending Sept. 30.
She said the electronic document records management software program has been installed and staff has been trained but it will take a while to get used to it and set it up they way it will work for them.
“It looks like it’s going to be a successful project,” Cheyne said.
By Sept. 30 the Rockwood Fire Department had responded to 175 emergency calls, including four structural fires. Two of those required a significant number of firefighters and they were on the scene for a number of hours.
“So those kinds of fires will have a direct impact on the bottom line of the budget so we’re watching that closely but it is a busy year,” she said.
The installation of sidewalks on Main Street north in Rockwood was deferred to 2016 pending environment compliance approval.
Cheyne said the LED streetlight project is moving forward. The lights are in and should be installed by the end of the year.
Consent application
Most of the land at 387 Albert Street is outside of the Everton hamlet area; however there is a five-lot subdivision application in progress for the areas within the hamlet area, township planner Kelsey Lang explained. For the subdivision application to be approved one of the conditions is that a legal drainage system be put in place.
“This application is to put easements on the subject lands to take that storm water from the subdivision application,” Lang said.
Consent applications are approved by Wellington County but the application was circulated to the township for comment.
“Public works said they supported the easement application as this will ultimately be taking runoff from municipal right of way, public works is suggesting that we be named on the easement as a beneficiary for the drainage,” Lang said.
Council approved that the township send comments to the county recommending the approval of the application, the inclusion of the township as a beneficiary and that the owner satisfy all the requirements of the township financial and otherwise.
Zoning bylaw amendment
Council deemed the zoning bylaw amendment application from Jagdeep Chakkal at 5053 Wellington Road 32 complete. The application proposes a special provision to the rural industrial zone property to permit a gas station, convenience store and drive thru restaurant.
In the Wellington County official plan the area is deemed a rural employment area, which permits these usages; however, the township zoning bylaw does not permit the proposed uses on rural industrial land.
The township approved the planning associate’s recommendation that the township proceed with the notice of completed application, circulate the application and notice to required agencies and that planners proceed with preparing a preliminary planning report.
Securities reduction
Council approved a security reduction of $10,000 for George Ware Lane, reducing the amount of securities held to $50,000 from $60,000.
Jackie Kay from R. J. Burnside and Associates Limited wrote in an email that final acceptance of services was not recommended because minor deficiencies were noted during inspection. Township clerk and director of legislative services Meaghen Reid said the developer is working to meet those requirements.
