Interest validated, South Dundas Historical Society being formed

“Last night was amazing,” said Iroquois Public School (IPS) Principal Kelty Grant.

She was referring to the February 8th Digital Literacy event sponsored by IPS Parent Council. 

The event, the first of its kind at IPS, offered parents a chance to learn how they can use technology and the Internet to help their children’s learning.

Grant, who was on hand to greet parents and usher children to the free on-site childcare, said “we had a really good turnout – about 40 parents and about 12 children.”

Interested parents were given the opportunity to attend any two of the four offered presentations, all of which were free, while their children were safe and having fun with some local high school volunteers.

According to Grant, the high school students “set up tables with games and activities in the gym.” 

Among the seminar presenters were Mike Singh, teacher with Soft-Where to Learn; Laura Oliver and Candy Campbell, Regional Student Engagement teachers; Elaine Gribbin, Regional Speech Language Pathologist; and, Alison Sutherland, Learning Resource Coach and teacher at IPS.

Grant reported that all four seminars were “well attended.”

“Parents who didn’t have a chance to get to the iPad/iPod technology seminar have been asking if that one will be offered again,” she said.  

“We had borrowed enough iPads for all parents to get a chance to try out some apps, and then at the end of the session they had an opportunity to show what they had discovered on the SmartBoard, which was plugged into an iPad.”

“Parents also seemed to love testing out the educational websites that are available,” said Grant, adding that “the evening was a result of our Pro Grant. We are using the Pro Grant money to purchase a membership to an educational website that parents and students will be able to access at home.”  

Iroquois Public School’s Digital Literacy event was such a success that they’re planning to do it again. Grant indicated that while a date had not yet been set, late March looked like a definite possibility.

“It is well worth the time and effort when you see our school community coming together like this,” said Grant. “We have some pretty amazing parents at IPS!”

[…]

“We’re looking at $2.5 million with this transfer,” said South Dundas treasurer Shannon Geraghty at the June 5th council meeting.

South Dundas saw a surplus of $642,503 in 2011, which was transferred to the working capital reserve. 

Geraghty requested council accept the 2011 financial statements as presented by Jamie Pollock of Craig Keen Despatie Markell LLP during the May 15th council meeting.

During his request to council, Geraghty also pointed toward the suggestions Pollock had made concerning some deficiencies.

“We’re currently working on these and over the summer we’ll be providing council with alternatives on how we’re going to deal with this.”

Two of the more recognizable issues noted in Pollock’s presentation are:

• Future landfill closures and lack of funds to cover costs associated with closure

• Water/sewer fund deficit and options to address the deficit, which may include an increase in user rates

Councillor Evonne Delegarde requested an update on where things stand with the water/sewer fund issue to which Geraghty replied, “we’ll be presenting council with plans over the summer,” followed by a public meeting in the fall and implementation in the new year.

Also, during the discussion, mayor Steven Byvelds relayed that the United Counties of SD&G had offered financial assistance with respect to the resolution approved a month prior concerning multi-residential taxes. 

“I don’t think we need any assistance from the counties,” said Byvelds. All agreed.

In terms of the $2.5 million, Geraghty asked, “does council have any desire to earmark any of that money now?”

Deputy-mayor Jim Locke said, “there’s no rush on it as far as I’m concerned.”

Byvelds agreed. He also suggested that “we should keep $2.2 million” in reserve.

[…]

Both the Matilda and Williamsburg waste disposal sites have a limited lifespan, and South Dundas township officials want the residents of South Dundas to do what they can to prolong the life of these waste disposal sites.

One way to prolong the lifespan of the waste disposal sites is to reduce the weekly two bag limit down to one bag weekly, but South Dundas council is not willing to take that step …yet.

At the October 31 special meeting, council spoke at length about the need for the public to be educated on the use of the sites and the impact misuse will have on the community.

Presently, South Dundas pays almost $40,000 a month for garbage and recycling pickup. Officials warn that amount could easily double, or more, when South Dundas no longer has access to its own waste disposal sites and that day could come within the next few years.

Based on the current deposition rate, the anticipated date the Matilda waste disposal site will reach full capacity is 2015, and the Williamsburg site will reach full capacity in 2017. 

“We as residents need to do our share for the environment,” said South Dundas mayor Steven Byvelds. He believes if each resident improves their own waste management they will easily reduce their waste to about one bag weekly, which is where the municipality wants to set the limit within the next few years.

The province of Ontario sets the recycling target at about 60 percent of waste being diverted from landfill, but South Dundas is far from that, diverting less than 20 percent from landfill through its recycling programs. 

Council and staff agreed that a concentrated public education campaign is needed to promote recycling in South Dundas.

As part of a review of the municipality’s garbage bylaw, staff proposed eliminating cash transactions from taking place at the waste disposal sites through the implementation of a voucher system, however council was not happy with the proposed changes. Council opted to keep the sites operating, as is, with a cash system. 

Other discussions at the October 31 meeting will likely result in a couple of changes to the existing garbage policy.

Residents will no longer be allowed to take two bags of household waste to the dump each week for free. The practice was put in place for those who happened to miss their roadside garbage pick up day. With the new policy, that will no longer be an option. Those wanting to take those bags to landfill can expect to pay.

Council asked staff to investigate the possibility of allowing those with documented medical incontinence issues to exceed the existing two bag limit.

Staff is also putting together a new fee schedule that will eliminate the separate rate category for farm waste. Farm waste will be treated as commercial waste.

[…]