January 5, 11, 13, 14, 18, 26, 27, 28, 2021
Committee of the Whole Meeting: January 13, 2021: 9:00 a.m. – 11:22 a.m.
Regular Meeting of Council: January 13, 2021: 3:47 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Special Meetings: January 5, 2021, closed session re CAO Recruitment; January 11, 2021: ditto; January 14, 2021: ditto; January 18, 2021, Budget Meeting; January 26, 2021: Meeting re granting of Permit to Take Water to Teedon Pit; January 27 and 28, 2021: closed sessions re identifiable individuals.
Mayor George Cornell, Deputy Mayor Steffen Walma, and Councillors Cindy Hastings, Tony Mintoff and Gibb Wishart present at all meetings.
Announcements:
• Visit the Township’s COVID-19 webpage at www.tiny.ca/coronavirus for municipal service impacts and updates.
• Tiny Connect – Sign up now at www.tinyconnect.ca
Teedon Pit Permit To Take Water:
At the Committee of the Whole Meeting on January 18, Councillor Mintoff noted that through FoTTSA, he had become aware that the Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks had issued a Permit to Take Water on January 14 to CRH Canada Group Inc for the Teedon Pit. This renewed the previous permit and will expire on January 13, 2031. It was felt that the decision ignores concerns about the potential impact of this activity on the aquifer. An appeal to this decision could be made 15 days from January 15. The matter was added to the Special Meeting of Council agenda for January 26.
January 26th Meeting Re Granting Of A 10-Year Pttw To The Owner Of The Teedon Pit:
At this Special Meeting, Kate Harries (of Aware Simcoe), Erik Schomann (of the Green Party), Karen Rathwell (of the Wellington Water Watchers), Sandy Agnew (of the Simcoe County Greenbelt Coalition), Bonnie Pauze (whose wells are intermittently silty), and Peter Anderson (concerned citizen) made deputations to Council, and three written deputations by David Barkey, John Nahuis, and The Council of Canadians, were read out. These expressed concerns about the granting of a 10-year Permit to Take Water to the owner of the Teedon Pit. The Township’s hydrogeological consultant (R.J. Burnside & Associates) responded to questions and was of the opinion that all the Township’s comments had been addressed. Sarah Hahn, the Township’s lawyer, responded to questions about the appeal process. Drs. Michael Powell and William Shotyk of the University of Alberta supplied a written update regarding the progress of the groundwater project planned for the central and northwestern parts of Simcoe County.
On January 27th, Council met again. A letter from FoTTSA expressed concern about the Permit to Take Water and urged Council to submit a Leave to Appeal. After Council’s in camera deliberations regarding all this material, Council announced that the Township would submit a Leave to Appeal the MECP’s issuing of the 10-year Permit to Take Water. Whether the Township will be allowed to appeal will be known by February 26.
Removal Of Beaver Dam:
Julie Aronov’s deputation and petition about Public Works’ removal of the beaver dam at Skylark Road and Tiny Beaches Road South was discussed. Aronov had questioned the lack of formal directives regarding the public works crew’s decision to destroy a beaver dam in a provincially significant wetland. She presented authoritative information about how the Township could live amicably with beavers and their activities and, with the support of more than 70 residents who signed a petition, asked that thought be put into guidance for staff. Council merely “received” this information “with no further action to be taken at this time.”
Appointment of A Member Of Council to The Committee Of Adjustment:
Councillor Gibb Wishart was appointed for 2021 (he also served in 2020).
Gypsy Moth Infestation:
In a letter dated December 15th, 2020, FoTTSA said it was pleased that the ban on overspray on municipal land was going to be lifted but disappointed that onerous conditions were being put on private spraying despite clear scientific evidence that spraying of Btk at the correct time is safe for humans and the rest of the ecosystem. The requirements for neighbours’ waivers are not under municipal jurisdiction, so FoTTSA did not understand why Council was commenting on that aspect of private spraying. FoTTSA asked Council to lift the ban on overspray on municipal property without conditions and to reconsider its decision not to spray municipal and private land.
Public Works is to present a report on February 3, saying generally that “over spraying will be permitted on municipal property through planned activities so the Township is aware.”