Council agenda sets a time record

November 5, 2014 · 0 Comments

A 7:40 p.m. finish for Council on November 3rd made, for what the Mayor believed to be, “the shortest meeting on record.” Council, who frequently sit in sessions for two to three hours and more, joked that after 17 years the Mayor had “finally got it right.”
Another citizen was honoured for their community service at Council Monday night. Sandy Bell owner of Foodland accepted a Community Excellence Award from Mayor Crewson. as Council and gallery residents looked on. The award was recommended by Ardith Dunlop for the generous support of Bell and his staff to the “Shepherd’s Cupboard” food bank in Shelburne. Dunlop who has led the work at the food bank for many years, says “Foodland makes food drive bags available to customers at holiday time; provides left over bake goods for Thursday’s food bank; gives the Shepherd’s Cupboard volunteers a ‘heads up’ on meat sales that can be bought for the bank in bulk; and also conducted a barbeque fundraiser.”
Ed and Donna Walsh returned to Council following up on their request to gain street access in Shelburne for Utility Task Vehicles (UTV’s) – small, off-road recreational vehicles. Mr. Walsh, who needs a wheel chair for mobility, would like to be able to drive his UTV through the streets to enjoy local trails; there is a question as to the legality of this as ATV’s, all-terrain vehicles, similar to UTV’s, are currently prohibited. Discussion ensued around a by-law to allow UTV’s for persons with handicaps and Mayor Crewson suggest a legal opinion be sought on the issue.
Mr. Walsh also expressed concern about the pedestrian cross-walk call button at Main Street and Greenwood. He explained that it is inaccessible to wheelchairs during the winter months due to snow build up. Director of Public Works Scott Wheeldon promised to look into the site to see what could be done.
A letter from Shelburne Fire Department regarding the Community Ice Pad at KTH noted insurance concerns with using a fire truck to flood the ice surface. In lieu of the truck, the department suggested a winterized tap and supported the effort with up to $500 from their 2014 budget for its installation under their supervision.
Documents from the Township of Mono outlined Official Plan Amendments for comment by Shelburne Council. The amendments involved, in part, the re-designation of Prime Agricultural Areas, as well as Extraction in Prime Agricultural Areas. The Amendments sought to further protect prime agricultural areas for long-term agricultural use and address the preservation, protection, improvement and restoration of ground and surface water as well as natural heritage features.
This is Ed Crewson’s last month as Mayor of Shelburne; he will be stepping aside for Ken Bennington who was elected to serve as Mayor in the next term of Council and is set to take the reins December 1st.

By Marni Walsh