News

Representatives from the United Counties of Stormont Dundas Glengarry (SDG) returned last Wednesday, August 20 from the annual Association of Municipalities of Ontario Conference in London. 

The AMO Conference is one of the largest municipal conferences held in Ontario each year.

SDG continues to participate in this annual conference largely through the Eastern Ontario Wardens’ Caucus (EOWC), raising awareness on issues facing municipalities throughout the region. 

The EOWC was successful in securing delegations with several high profile representatives from the province including municipal affairs minister Ted McMeekin, community safety minister Yasir Naqvi, and the Official Opposition. These opportunities were used to release the EOWC’s Economic Development Strategy for Eastern Ontario, and raise concerns regarding policing costs and infrastructure renewal.

“The AMO conference is another important opportunity for municipalities to lobby the provincial government. It is a forum for us to put forward – with one voice – what our policy and operational challenges are,” stated Warden Eric Duncan. “It is also an opportunity to say thank you, and SDG certainly does not lose sight of that.”

Representatives from the Counties were also on hand for a delegation with infrastructure minister Brad Duguid to promote the Glengarry Regional Water Project. While no formal decision has been made on funding from the province, both North and South Glengarry townships remain optimistic as they continue to pursue this important initiative.

Premier Kathleen Wynne was in attendance at this year’s conference, providing the keynote address to delegates on Tuesday. 

The provincial government announced earlier this week that it would be moving forward with a new $100 million per year infrastructure fund for municipalities. 

The province also announced that it would not be pursuing any further action on joint and several liability – and important file that municipalities have lobbied strongly for action on in past.

[…]

With eight years experience as a member of South Dundas council, the last four years as mayor, Steven Byvelds says he has a good feel for this community, and what needs to be done to keep South Dundas moving forward at a reasonable rate. 

“Another four years is the right thing to do,” South Dundas mayor Steven Byvelds told The Leader shortly after filing his nomination papers Monday, and officially announcing that he is seeking a second term at the head of the South Dundas council table.

Byvelds took a while to make his intentions known, making his announcement with less than three weeks to the September 12 nomination deadline.

“I really had to have a good feeling that this decision was right for me and my family, and right for South Dundas,” said Byvelds. 

He further explained that, as a sitting mayor, he felt that it was important to keep his focus his work as mayor before shifting that focus to the coming election, which to him, is what filing nomination papers does.

For months people have been asking him his intentions, and he says he never really minded anyone asking. “People asking is a good thing. It means they’re interested.”

“I believe steady leadership is required for our path forward,” said Byvelds, who is proud of the many accomplishments over the last four years.

“During those years, we have moved South Dundas forward in a direction that was guided by our strategic plan. We have implemented a new economic development plan which has allowed us to retain and foster new business,” said Byvelds. 

“We have received funding for the Iroquois Wastewater Treatment Plant and it is now complete, within budget. We have done significant rehabilitation work on the sewer systems in all our villages.”  

“I am especially proud of working with our previous MPP Jim Brownell for the $3.2M funding which allowed South Dundas to finally upgrade the Lakeshore Drive Sewer Line which had been plagued with undersizing issues for a long time.” 

“We built the South Dundas Municipal Centre which provides a new home for not only ourselves but the St. Lawrence Medical Clinic and the SDG Library. We have maintained our rural roads and we still can claim to have the best rural road system in Ontario.”

Throughout his eight years on South Dundas council and six years on the council of the United Counties of Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry, Byvelds has built many good connections with colleagues locally and further afield, which Byvelds believes is another benefit of steady leadership.

“As Mayor, I have worked with your council to ensure they voiced their opinion at the council table.  Our decisions were based on factual information and in the end, I ensured that council’s decision was reflected in how staff proceeded with policy and work assignments.  We have kept budgets within reason knowing how our decisions affect those who live in South Dundas.”

Good leadership, a strong knowledge of municipal finances, an understanding of what the community can afford, along with the willingness to spend time researching issues, is what Byvelds says he brings to the South Dundas council table.

“The next four years can be an exciting time for South Dundas.  We live in one of the most picturesque parts of Ontario with the St. Lawrence on the south and many beautiful farm and rural lands in the north.  If elected, I will work closely with Council and staff to grow and improve our community and continue to make it a great place to live, work and play,” says Byvelds.

“Over the next nine weeks, please let me know your comments and concerns.  I will have a website up soon (stevenbyvelds.com) and you can contact me directly by email (bycrest@persona.ca) or phone (613-652-2271).  I will also be ‘out and about’, so stop me and let’s have a discussion of the future of South Dundas.  Remember, if we all pull the rope in the same direction, we will move forward.”

Municipal elections take place October 27. So far, in South Dundas, the mayor’s race is between South Dundas councillor Evonne Delegarde and South Dundas mayor Steven Byvelds. 

The list of municipal election candidates is not finalized until the September 12 nomination deadline passes.

[…]

As of Monday, all seats of South Dundas council are being contested. 

Monday afternoon, Bert Geertsma filed his nomination papers to seek election as a South Dundas councillor in the upcoming municipal election.

Geertsma has never been an elected councillor, although he did once run once, unsuccessfully, for council in Williamsburg.

Geertsma is a longtime resident of the Dunbar area of South Dundas. 

He retired from Nestlé and had a hobby farm that he has since sold. He now works at a dairy and cash crop farm.

“I have the time to spare, and I’m sure I can fit the job well,” he said. “I am willing to make the commitment to council, and to serve all the public interests in South Dundas.”

He sees the council position as the right place to start. “I would prefer to start there, to get the experience, and to work with council and the mayor,” said Geertsma.

“I think its time for a change,” he said, adding that he would like to see more public input into decisions being made.

With Geertsma’s nomination, the number of candidates for councillor now outnumber the available seats. 

Geertsma will be competing with sitting councillors Archie Mellan and Jim Graham and former councillor Bill Ewing for the three available seats at the council table.

So far, the mayor’s race and deputy mayor’s races are two person contests with mayor Steven Byvelds and councillor Evonne Delegarde seeking the mayor’s seat and deputy mayor Jim Locke and first time candidate Leslie Disheau seeking the deputy mayor’s seat.

The nomination deadline is September 12, after which the list of candidates is finalized.

[…]

Numerous agencies providing services to children and youth in Stormont-Dundas-South Glengarry gathered on Wednesday to brief MPPs Jim Wilson and Jim McDonell regarding their programs and ways the provincial government can assist them in delivering those services efficiently and broadly.

 

“Our young people are the future of this province,” said Ontario PC Interim Leader Jim Wilson. “Today, we heard from people committed to making this the best place in Canada to grow, and to start a career.”

 

The province offers support programs in fields such as health, skills training, mental health support, and education for children and youth in Ontario.

 

“We must focus our resources on delivering the best opportunities for our local children and youth” – MPP McDonell commented. “Directing provincial funding wisely in helping young Ontarians achieve their full potential will enhance their futures and help our province rebuild its competitiveness and attractiveness to families. Stormont-Dundas-South Glengarry is a wonderful place to call home – the community’s generous spirit and volunteer resources are a significant factor in this. Today’s consultation highlighted the importance of consistent and reliable provincial funding, and for the government to tailor programs to meet local needs. We will bring their concerns to Queen’s Park and continue working for all residents of Stormont-Dundas-South Glengarry.”

 

[…]

Morrisburg and Iroquois residents hooked in to the municipal water and sewer system are going to see a substantial increase in their water and sewer bills this fall. 

Municipal officials have been warning that an increase is necessary to cover the operational cost of the municipality’s waterworks since budget time. Last week, staff presented council with the numbers showing just how big an increase is needed. 

Staff told council that the monthly base water rate would have to jump to $30.26 from the current $21.99 to sufficiently fund current operating and capital requirements.

Council was not willing to commit to that big of an increase at this point, and opted for an alternative sufficient to meet the 2014 budget needs, which is a monthly base water rate of $27.52. 

Once the water consumption charges, capital levy and sewer charges are factored in to the equation, the average Morrisburg water/sewer user will pay just over $96 a month and the average Iroquois user will pay just over $106 a month. Currently, Morrisburg users paying about $85 monthly and Iroquois users $94.

South Dundas chief administrative officer Steve McDonald explained that a huge decrease in water consumption has made it more and more difficult for the municipality to cover the operational costs of the water plant, which within the next few years will need a significant investment of funds as the plant’s costly Xenon filters are nearing the end of their expected lifespan. Meters are also reaching the end of their lifespan, and a replacement program with smart meters will be needed in the near future.

From 2007 to 2013 water consumption dropped by almost 22 per cent here in South Dundas. This trend is similar to that seen across the province, which has seen a 19 per cent decrease in consumption.

Declining water use is related to changes in plumbing codes, higher water rates prompting consumers to cut back, and changes in consumer attitudes which have brought more efficient appliances into their homes. (For example, a high efficiency clothes washing machine uses about 100 litres of water less per load than a traditional washer.) Formerly common practices like lawn watering and car washing have also been reduced. 

Despite the fact that bringing water and sewer operations in house has saved South Dundas $65,000 in payroll costs from the previous contract, South Dundas is still needing to dip into water reserves to cover 2014 operational and capital costs.

Last year, almost $400,000 had to be drawn from the water reserve, and the treasury is estimating that almost $300,000 will need to be drawn from the reserve in 2014, depleting it to less than $50,000.

While the water reserve is being depleted, the sewer reserve remains healthy, at about $1 million between the Morrisburg ($700,000) and Iroquois ($300,000) reserves.

Council and staff, at this point, agreed that those sewer reserves should not be touched until the new Iroquois waste water treatment plant has been operating at least a year. 

From experience they know that the cost of operating a new secondary treatment plant, especially the hydro cost, is much higher than the former primary treatment plant.

“There’s no magic. It’s user pay, and it’s got to be dealt with,” said South Dundas deputy mayor Jim Locke. 

“For this year we have to increase it to what we need, and then do it again next year,” said councillor Jim Graham.

“We’re going to have to do annual increases. We’re not meeting what’s needed in the budget,” said councillor Evonne Delegarde. “We need to increase the rates every year until we are caught up, so we don’t fall further and further behind.”

“We have to have the money to run the plant,” said councillor Archie Mellan. “We are in a predicament because we are trying to play catch up.”

“We can’t let it go,” said South Dundas mayor Steven Byvelds. “That would not be fair to the next council. We can’t ignore this.”

The bylaw to approve the rate increase will go to council in September, and staff are expecting to implement the change October 1, 2014.

[…]

Ontario East British Home Child Family working in conjunction with the Chesterville & District Historical Society is pleased to present “British Home Children in Eastern Ontario” on September 5 at 7pm at the Chesterville Heritage Centre, Victoria Street Chesterville.   

OEBHCF member Tom Brownell of Lombardy will speak on how the discovery of a British Home Child in his family was a catalyst for the increased awareness and recognition of this subject throughout Ontario and beyond.

Tom’s grandmother, Mary Pearson, was a young girl when she and her sister became wards of Quarrier’s Homes in Scotland.  Within a few years she was sent to Canada, eventually settling in Eastern Ontario.   She worked, married and raised her family, but like many of her fellow British Home Children did not speak in any great detail of her part in the Child Migration Scheme of the British Government. 

Brownell will speak on his grandmother, how her grandson Jim Brownell discovered her story, which became  the  catalyst for increased awareness of the British Home Children and the resultant adoption of September 28 as “British Home Child Day in Ontario by the Ontario Legislative Assembly which led to subsequent events being held at Upper Canada Village and other locations in Eastern Ontario.  Their sister, Judy Neville, has been instrumental in the organizing of various events, facilitating the organization of volunteers which has led to the formation of the Ontario East British Home Child Family group.

Like many families who have a British Home Child in their family tree, the members of the Brownell family have worked tirelessly to promote, preserve and educate the public about this most important aspect of our Canadian culture.  Come join these two historical groups to hear the stories and break the silence that has existed about this subject for decades.  Who knows – perhaps you will find out that you have a connection to these children yourself!

There is no cost for attending this event, but donations will be shared between the two organizations and light refreshments will be served.  For more information please contact carol.goddard@sympatico.ca or jneville0@gmail.com.

 

 

[…]

The Great Waterfront Trail Adventure participants experience all kinds of weather, from extreme heat to extreme rain to extreme cold in their five day journey from Brighton to Cornwall, but they were still all smiles when they left Iroquois early Friday morning towards their final destination.

Cyclists, 150 of them, participated in the journey offered by the Waterfront Regeneration Trust and partner CAA.

Their final overnight stop was Iroquois, where many camped at the Iroquois Municipal Campsite, while others stayed at the McIntosh Inn, Morrsiburg.

Great Waterfront Trail adventures have been taking place for seven years, but this shorter adventure focused on the St. Lawrence River and its communities, is a first. Marlaine Koehler, executive director for the Waterfront Regeneration Trust, said they are committed to continuing this and similar rides in future.

This ride covered about 300 km of the Waterfront Trail which spans 1,400 km.

While 90 per cent of the cyclist on this trip are from the Greater Toronto Area, there were participants from five states and two provinces.

“Our demographics aren’t the hardcore cyclists, it’s more people who want to enjoy a holiday by bike,” said Vicki Barron, also of WRT. “A lot of these people have never been off the 401, and they are very impressed by what they seeing and many will come back.”

“Iroquois, quietly, is a real gem. The Seaway story is compelling, and the history of the area is well told through its historical plaques,” said Koehler. She, and the other cyclists thoroughly enjoyed the meals, hospitality and scenery of this community, including the Iroquois Locks and the passing ships, seen during their short visit.

“We’re bicycle friendly, and we’re looking forward to having you back,” said Mayor Byvelds, pointing out the Cornwall and Counties Tourism Cycling maps that are part of an initiative to bring more cycle tourists to the area.

“This whole trip has been delightful,” said Eugenia Sowicz of Reading, Pensylvannia. She does about two of these large cycling trips each year, with this being her first to this area of Canada.

While she loves cycling, she says she is not th strongest cyclist, so this trip was perfect for her. Tuesday, the tour passed through the Kingston area facing hurricane-type weather, but that day, Eugenia opted to board the shuttle to Napanee, where they enjoyed a delightful day, rather than facing the elements. “We had a terrific time learning about the area’s history and geography, even though it was raining,” she said.

Even though many of the travellers opt to camp, they don’t have to worry about camping gear, as a tent service is available, whereby they ride from stop to stop, when they arrive, a fully assembled tent and filled air mattress are waiting for them. Their luggage is also shuttled from place to place.

Comparing this ride to others she has completed, Eugenia says this one was extremely well organized, the staff were tremendous and the people in the communities they visited were wonderfully welcoming. She really liked the community aspect of this ride. “Because we are travelling right through the community, the experience is really local. It gives us an opportunity to support these local economies, and I love that. You really get to experience the flavour of the whole region.” She said that this area is definitely an area she will come to visit again.

[…]

A water system repair that was planned for 2015 had to be done much sooner than expected.

A detailed investigation, including an exploratory dive, revealed that while the cribbing and water intake line were in good condition, the chlorine intake line and diffuser were severely choked to a point where their performance was compromised. 

The result was a $40,000 repair  that was completed in July.

This unexpected hit to the water and sewer budget was not the only one.  Recently, an electrical engineer identified the electrical plan at the Williamsburg Sewage Lagoon as a significant risk of major injury. “Given that municipal employees regularly access the panel to replace blown capacitors, it was decided to proceed with the engineer recommended repairs immediately,” said Chris Bazinet, manager of public works in a key information report to South Dundas council. 

The repair estimate is $50,000.

[…]

 Since October 2013, South Dundas council and staff have been working on revising a tough new sewer use bylaw.

This bylaw has been the subject of previous special meetings of council earlier this year, and of two public meetings in June, where the public was invited to review the bylaw and provide feedback.

Last week, at a special meeting to once again review the latest draft of the bylaw, council suggested more changes. 

The latest changes will give homeowners longer to face compliance.

At the August 13 meeting, council decided that they would like to see tiered implementation, with industrial and commercial properties within the villages needing to ensure their compliance within about a year of the bylaw enactment, with a possible grace period.

Because commercial and industrial sewer use has the most potential to upset the balance of the sewage treatment plants, council decided that would be an important place to start with the bylaw.

“We’re not here to drive anyone out of business,” said South Dundas mayor Steven Byvelds. 

The bylaw is designed to regulate what can and can’t be put into the sanitary sewer system, and deals with improper connections that result in extraneous flow of rainwater into the sanitary system, such as roof downspout connections.

Council foresees a final draft of this bylaw, for commercial and industrial sewer use being tabled for approval late in September.

South Dundas staff have been asked to explore the possibility of a municipal funding program designed to encourage voluntary compliance.

[…]

SD&G OPP officers are currently at the scene of a vehicle fire that occurred on August 21st, 2014 at approximately 12:15am on Highway 401, eastbound lanes, South Stormont Township. Investigation indicates a tractor-trailer unit caught fire due to mechanical reasons. 

Fire Department is on scene and a section of Highway 401, eastbound lanes (only) is closed to traffic between Dickinson Drive (Ingleside) exit and Moulinette Road (Long Sault) exit. Traffic is being re-routed via Emergency Detour Routes (EDR). The closure is expected to remain in effect for several hours as emergency personnel tend to the scene.

The 36 year old male driver (from Etobicoke, Ontario) was not injured. The vehicle was carrying non-hazardous products (dog food).

The 401 was re-opened around 10 a.m.

[…]