500 pack Glenway meeting

Newmarket

February 03, 2010 08:13 AM

By Teresa Latchford

The new owners of the Glenway Golf and Country Club property will have many hurdles to overcome to build on the lands, according to Ward 7 Councillor Chris Emanuel.

ABout 400 residents packed into the Newmarket Theatre with another 100 overflowing into the Newmarket High School cafeteria, which was equipped with a live stream at the second Glenway community meeting. The property has been sold to The Kerbel Group Inc. and Lakeview Homes and many residents fear residential development could mean the loss of greenspace and declining property values.

"Any application brought forward would be judged against our official plan," he said at the podium last night. "This will not be a short or easy process."

The town's official plan, approved in 2006, acts as a road map of how the town should be developed and where growth should be located, he explained. Even though the provincial Places to Grow act designates Newmarket as a growth node, with the population expected to reach 98,000 by 2025, the town has directed growth to the Yonge and Davis corridors. The Glenway lands are designated parks and open space under the current official plan.

"To achieve our growth target designated by the province, we don't have to develop these lands," Mr. Emanuel said. "I will be your champion going forward to ensure our greenspace is protected."

Based on the official plan, the proximity to the Oak Ridges Moriane, protected heritage woodlots located on the property, water and sewer service challenges and the storm water management ponds on the land, Mr. Emanuel ensured residents development would be a tough sell to town council.

The new owners have committed to keep the golf course open for the next two years, Kerbel Group Inc.'s Joanne Barnett said. The company hasn't yet explored options for development as it is focused on improving the business, which is currently losing money.

"We have committed to being open through this process, not only to the town, but to the residents," she said. "We aren't looking to submit an application and run."

In the next two months, the company seeks to iron out business decisions before investigating any development options for the "complex piece of land", she said.

Fire service pushes for permanent collaboration

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BY SEAN PEARCE

The success of Central York Fire Services is a good example of how municipalities collaborating on service delivery, especially in tough times, can be a winning solution, Newmarket Mayor Tony Van Bynen said.

And fire and waste might just be the start, Mr. Van Bynen said, adding he, Aurora Mayor Phyllis Morris and the town's CAOs have talked about better utilizing their resources.

The 2002 consolidation of Newmarket and Aurora's fire services has resulted in improved access to resources, more manpower and better cost efficiencies for both municipalities, Deputy Fire Chief Paul Leslie told Aurora council Tuesday.

Because of this, making the joint fire service a permanent arrangement would certainly be a prudent measure, rather than having the towns review the partnership again and again every five years, Mr. Leslie said.

"We believe (the consolidated department) meets the needs and provides a broader and deeper level of service that would have been available individually," he said.

Apart from committing to a permanent consolidation, the review also recommended the creation of a vision statement for the joint service, the development of a comprehensive communications strategy and examining the feasibility of consolidating management and ownership of all fire department properties.

The joint council committee would also continue in its role.

As far as levels of service go, the review also recommended:

- the service strive to have its first crew on scene within 60 seconds of receiving a call 90 per cent of the time;

- when responding to building fires, 12 firefighters arrive within 10 minutes, 90 per cent of the time;

- the service work toward a goal of 60 seconds or less for the turnout of firefighters and;

- the service work to improve response by reviewing call handling times.

Enhanced and wider access to public fire safety education would also help, Mr. Leslie said.

Central York Professional Firefighters Association president Brent Heppell disputed little in the review, but suggested while response time goals are good, they could be better.

Without more funding, manpower and equipment, the service is simply not capable of simultaneous rescue and suppression, Mr. Heppell said.

"The public ... expects us to not only be able to put the fire out, but rescue anyone trapped within at the same time," he said. "Not one and then the other."

Mr. Heppell's concerns were received by council and are to be reviewed by staff.

Making the service a permanent arrangement would be a beneficial move for everyone involved, former joint council committee chairperson and Newmarket Councillor Chris Emanuel, said.

Both towns have seen enhanced levels of fire service provided at a significantly reduced cost, he said.

"Going forward we may even find more cost efficiencies or be able to provide even better service (to both municipalities)," he added.

It's one of a handful of joint ventures under way.

The northern six York Region municipalities have managed to save more than $11-million by teaming up on the Green Bin program, he said, adding there could be room for more co-operation.

"Does it make sense for us to have the Ray Twinney Complex half full and fully staffed and for Aurora to have their facility half full and fully staffed every day?" Mr. Van Bynen said. "Maybe it makes more sense to have swimming one day at the Ray Twinney Complex and the next at the Aurora Recreation Complex and so on."

It's all still very preliminary, Mr. Van Bynen stressed. Yet, residents don't seem to mind crossing borders for services, so, perhaps, municipalities might not be too far off to look outside of their borders to help cover the cost of providing them. Some homes now being built even straddle municipal boundaries, he added.

"I think the fire service is a first class example of what can be accomplished," he said.

Taylor Pushes for More Budget Cuts

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By Teresa Latchford

Would you rather pay $55 more a year for property taxes now or wait a little longer and hope to pay less?

In the original draft of Newmaket's capital and operating budgets, you faced a 4.9-per-cent hike, which translates into an extra $55 a year on a $300,000 house.

After review by staff and council, the increase was knocked down to 4.31 per cent or about $49.

But Regional Councillor John Taylor thinks the town can go lower.

He submitted a proposal to fellow councillors and staff suggesting more cuts to the operating budget that aren't classified as wage-related, essential or fixed such as debt repayments and insurance. It could mean a hike of only $36.

However doing so would delay the budget process.

"Many people in our community have been forced in these economic times to cut costs and we must do the same," Mr. Taylor said.

His proposal, which he said is an attempt to reduce taxes in a way that minimizes service level reductions, could potentially shave 1.1 per cent off the increase, paring it down to 3.21 per cent.

"Typically, cost-reduction suggestions are usually all or nothing," Mr. Taylor explained. "But, this way, there would be 3.5 per cent fewer flower boxes on Main Street or 3.5 per cent less time on the outdoor skating rink."

However, the process is complicated and there are some things that need to be considered while assessing the proposal, CAO Bob Shelton pointed out.

"I only need to look outside the window to know it is still snowing," he said, making it clear the snow removal budget shouldn't come without flexibility or there's a risk of running a deficit. "If we push it (the hike) down any further, it would mean service cuts."

Putting off maintenance and specific projects could cost more in the long run as well.

Mayor Tony Van Bynen said he has serious concerns, as well, considering it is not within the town's power to control the weather or the economy, explaining this week's drop in interest rates cost the town $136,000 in interest on its reserve funds.

As well, some of Mr. Taylor's proposed reductions target programs that bring in revenue.

"I don't mind cutting the budget to the bone," Mr. Van Bynen said. "But it is risky to cut it through the bone."

Last year, council faced a $900,000 budget shortfall and since municipalities are not allowed to carry a deficit, it was automatically carried over to the next budget. Staff was able to whittle it down to $100,000, but if they hadn't, it would have meant an additional 2.6-per-cent increase.

Council has more responsibility this year to trim expenses and taking a look at a proposal couldn't hurt, Councillor Chris Emanuel said.

"I don't think residents mind when the budget is passed," he said. "We are taking a little more time to make sure we have done everything we can."

Councillors plan to discuss a revised budget schedule during Monday's meeting, which starts at 7 p.m.

Politicians Gather to Talk Business, Health Care

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By Amanda Persico

Despite the cold, talks of the dwindling economy heated up Newmarket's first elected official roundtable last week.

The purpose of the meeting, hosted by the Newmarket Chamber of Commerce was to hear how the federal, provincial, regional and municipal governments plan to address challenges and create opportunities to maintain a stable Newmarket. â?¨Budgets proved to be a popular topic of discussion.

Newmarket-Aurora MP Lois Brown and MPP Frank Klees talked about proposed tax cuts and breaks for businesses.

"We are in the middle of preparing a budget that's not business as usual," Ms Brown said.

Meanwhile, York Region chairperson Bill Fisch and Newmarket Mayor Tony Van Bynen talked about growth and service plans that will continue no matter what the financial outlook.

"We all require services like roads, water and sewer whether we have a good economy or a bad economy," Mr. Fisch said.

In the 2009 proposed budget, the region plans to spend $400 to $600 million on transportation, he noted.

Mr. Van Bynen told local business owners in attendance that Newmarket has to plan for growth in all circumstances since the town's land space is limited.

"Soon, we're going to stop needing roads and start needing elevator shafts," he said. "We have to be ready."

Later, the discussion turned to competitive business solutions.

Many business owners expressed concern over union employees and public servants receiving automatic pay raises each year - something with which they said they simply cannot compete.

"Companies are telling employees that they are not going to see a raise for years," chamber member Jim Lotiner said.

The federal government introduced a plan to limit public servant raises in its 2008 budget and will present that option again in future budgets, Ms Brown said.

Mr. Van Bynen defended town staff, saying they are just as committed as elected officials.

From public servants the discussion turned to the social services funding gap between Toronto and the 905 region.

"The services are already taxed to the limit," chamber president Deborah Scott said.

The answer is per-population funding for hospitals and other services, Mr. Klees said.

"Hospitals come to the government cap in hand. The answer is simple. Getting there is a challenge," he said. "That takes a government with courage to do it."

The advantage of fixing the funding gap is it means growth will pay for development, Newmarket Councillor Chris Emanuel said.

But the disadvantage is a fixed formula would create winners and losers, Mr. Klees said.

The federal government already has something similar in place, Ms Brown said, noting by 2014, the government plans to give per-capita funding for health services to the provinces.

Council contemplates heritage designation

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Teresa Latchford

Is heritage preservation more important than homeowner rights?

Newmarket council is discussing the possibility of imposing a heritage designation on a house at 440-442 Eagle St., but homeowner Peter Stirrup has declined the heritage designation three times.

So now, Councillor Joe Sponga wants to preserve what is being called the oldest house in Newmarket without the owner’s approval.

“I think the rights of the community to preserve (its) heritage supersedes the rights of the homeowner,” he said during committee of the whole. “This is the oldest building in Newmarket.”

The house, known to history buffs as the Hill Beman/Robinson House was originally built on Water Street by a quaker who settled in the early 1800s near the water source, where he also built a dam and mill, Elman W. Campbell Museum’s Paul Millard said.

Mr. Stirrup has no plans to alter the original state of the building, but the property will need upgrading in the future.

The town contacted him in February about the designation and, in his letter of reply, he explained his concerns surrounding the loss of control over the property if it were designated.

“When we bought the property, it was an investment purchase,” Mr. Stirrup said. “We had no idea about the history of the building.

“My concern is a designation can remove some of the rights of a property owner. We said no because we didn’t want to lose control of our property.”

With a designation comes hurdles for homeowners, who have to ensure all renovations are completed and approved up to the standards outlined in the Ontario Heritage Act, according to Councillor Chris Emanuel, who feels the rights of property owners is important to maintain in Canada.

Mr. Sponga suggested the matter be sent back to staff to review because he is concerned without the protection of a designation, the building and its history may deteriorate.

“I’ve never been a Communist and I never will be,” Councillor Dave Kerwin said. “This person has said categorically no. Let’s not waste the staff’s time and ours.”

Councillor Larry Blight admitted he wouldn’t want to be forced to take on a responsibility as a homeowner without agreeing to it and said he would like to hear from Mr. Stirrup.

Mr. Stirrup was shocked to learn the issue was on the agenda.

“My greatest distress is that council can discuss this without my knowledge,” he said. “I had no representation during the meeting.”

He respects the desire to preserve the town’s heritage, has been in contact with town staff to discuss the issue and wants to work with the town and councillors to come to an agreement that appeases everyone.

“I’m all for discussing and learning more about what is involved in a heritage designation,” he added. “I want to preserve the history of the building.”

The motion to designate the home without Mr. Stirrup’s permission was defeated.