To Brigand or not to Brigand?

April 9, 2014 · 0 Comments

That was the question at Shelburne Council on April 7th – what to name the new soccer field to open at Greenwood Park in 2015.

The Heritage Committee had recommended “Brigands Field” after the first known soccer team in Shelburne, known as Baird’s Brigands.

Surprisingly, Mayor Crewson, known for his love of history, was not fond of the name, noting that it meant “roaming bandits,” and suggesting instead “Dauntless” after Shelburne’s once championship lacrosse team, while Councillor Benotto furthered the debate in favour of “Baird’s” Field. The minutes of the February soccer field meeting reflected the suggestion “Sullivan Field,” after one of the founders of soccer in the area and the Soccer Club had suggested that the soccer pitch be named Thunder Field after the team.

In the end, further discussion was tabled for the first meeting in May, so public input is still possible. However, a motion did pass authorizing additional funding, totalling approximately $62,000, for fencing to protect the high quality soccer turf. Councillor Benotto commented, that considering that half a million had been spent on the new soccer development it would be “foolish to risk” damage by a truck or an ATV on a joyride.

On another matter, an early delegation by Mark DeSouza, Vice President of Land Development for Vandyk Group and Nick Karakis of Cole Engineering pressed council for permission to obtain building permits prior to preliminary acceptance of phase 1B in the Shelburne North Development, as per the subdivision agreement. In November of 2013, 69 permits were issued for Phase 1A, which includes the area at Johnson Drive and Colonel Phillips Drive. Phase 1B includes Johnson Drive on the west side of the development.

Although Councillor Egan and Deputy Mayor Ken Bennington hoped council could achieve a level of comfort with an agreement “in the interest of moving ahead” with the development, Mayor Crewson questioned, “Why would we do anything against the advice of our Town engineers?” The WSP Group had advised that “due to winter weather conditions” inspection of an additional storm sewer at Johnson Drive along the west side of the development, which would ensure all previously detailed deficiencies had been rectified, had not yet been completed. Vandyk’s request for relief to the preliminary acceptance provision was defeated in motion.

Council revisited a request to have Public Works staff perform the installation and maintenance of new LED fiddle lights for the downtown core, purchased by the BIA.

CAO John Telfer held to the staff’s recommendation to use the maintenance package provided by the supplier “for the first year to review the cost of repairs as well as the process used by the supplier for installation.” It was asked that the BIA consider the storage and maintenance process for the new lights again in 2015.

The cost of global warming was evident in the year to date financial operating summary for the winter control budget. The budget for snow control from January to March 2014 was expected to come in at $40,967 dollars; the actual cost was $189,126. There has been no word yet from The Ontario Disaster Relief Assistance Program regarding funding.

By Marni Walsh