REPORT ON COUNCIL
March 13 and 27, 2017
Committee of the Whole Meeting March 13: 9 a.m. – 3:49 p.m.; March 27: 9 a.m. – 1:10 p.m.
Regular Meeting March 13: 4:32 p.m. – 5:15 p.m.; March 27: 6:18 p.m. – 8:02 p.m.
Mayor George Cornell, Deputy Mayor Steffen Walma, Councillors Cindy Hastings, Richard Hinton and Gibb Wishart all present on the 13th. Councillor Cindy Hastings absent on the 27th.
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
- Township of Tiny Earth Week – April 17th – 21st, 2017
- Independent Living Services Seminar (free) at Tiny Township Community Centre – June 2 – about how to make your house a home for a lifetime
- National Health & Fitness Day – June 3, 2017 – includes road closure from intersection of County Road 6 and Balm Beach Road West to Surf Restaurant (10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. for Tiny Trot event
PRINCIPLES ESTABLISHED FOR SALE OF TOWNSHIP PROPERTY:
According to a report from CAO Doug Luker, “At any given time Township staff has a number of private requests to purchase unopened road allowances, water access walkways and lots currently owned by the Township.” On the recommendation of Staff, Council passed a By-law to ensure that “The sale of any public land should only be contemplated when the broader public interest is served over the long term. The consideration of the public interest must be paramount in the discussion, clearly articulated and tangible.” The By-law lays out procedures for the sale of municipal land and recovery of full costs. It set the retainer fee at $5,000, with a non-refundable amount of $1,500.
UPDATE ON SEWAGE SYSTEM REINSPECTION PROGRAM:
The reinspection program was implemented in 2002 and has been managed ever since by C.C. Tatham. In 2016, 1245 systems in Woodland Beach and Deanlea Beach were re-inspected for the first time since 2010 (following the usual 6-year cycle). (The 451 properties within municipal well head areas are inspected every 5 years, as required by the province.) Infractions were found on 194 lots – the largest number being root intrusions into the leaching bed area (44), indications of vehicles parking or driving on the septic tank or leaching bed (26), use of septic or holding tank to support structures (20), outhouses in disrepair (17) and so on down to four individual infractions. There continue to be residual problems from inspections in 2013, 2014, and 2015.
Areas to be reinspected in 2017 are in Concessions 1, 2, 3, 6 and 7 plus Bluewater, Wendake, Rowntree and Wahnekewening Beaches.
CONCERNS ABOUT THE IMPACTS OF AGGREGATE EXTRACTION IN CONCESSION 1:
Anne Ritchie Nahuis expressed concerns about the proposed waste reprocessing on the site, the cumulative impact of aggregate extraction in the Waverley Upland Region, and the potential impact on water quality of the proposed expansion of the Beamish gravel pit.
Steve Ogden spoke about the impacts on his well when the Beamish pit was first developed and expressed concerns about the proposed expansion on water quality in the area.
A public meeting is to be scheduled regarding the proposed expansion of the gravel pit. All key parties are to be invited – the applicant, the Ministries of the Environment and of Natural Resources, the Severn Sound Environmental Association, and R.J. Burnside & Associates Ltd.
TURTLE CROSSING SIGNS TO BE INSTALLED:
Persuaded of their importance by Kate Harries of the MTM Conservation Association, Council agreed to install two turtle crossing signs on the North side of the Tiny/Flos Townline adjacent to the Tiny Marsh.
ADVICE RE DETERRING GEESE:
Sustainable Severn Sound’s Sustainability Bulletin, Feb-Mar 2017, recommends:
Vegetative buffers – The planting of tall grasses, shrubs, and trees at the water’s edge since geese prefer open space where they can see predators.
Rock barriers – The installation of rocks along the shore as they would similarly serve as a deterrent.
Limit nearby turf/grass – The replacement of turf grass with medium to long grasses, shrubs, small trees, stones, or gravel as geese prefer lush, mown grass.
Changing human behaviour – The passage of “No Feed” by-laws and installation “Do not feed” signs.
SEPTAGE:
Mayor Cornell reported that the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change has advised that they will be implementing a provincial plan with regards to septage management. The Township of Tiny has been recognized as a technical reviewer of the reports as they come forward.
ADDITIONS TO THE MUNICIPAL HERITAGE REGISTER:
March 27: 808 Concession 18 West, house constructed in 1890, originally a log cabin, now sided over in vinyl.
876 County Road 6 South, two-storey, red clay brick house built in 1908, with decorative stained glass in some windows.
OFFICIAL PLAN REVIEW AND UPDATE:
The Township hopes to have a draft ready for a public Open House in late spring/early summer 2017.
