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.

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.

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.

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.

Amanda Persico

Firefighters save lives.

Now, with pet resuscitation kits, firefighters can save the lives of our furry friends.

After a summer trial proved successful, all five Central York Fire Services trucks in Newmarket and Aurora are equipped with pet resuscitation kits.

Newmarket and Aurora were the first in York Region to have specialized pet masks as part of a nationwide initiative.

Rescuing a beloved pet provides comfort to a family going through a traumatic experience, services deputy chief Paul Leslie said.

The specialized pet masks provide a more efficient stream of oxygen to animals than masks designed for humans, said Councillor Chris Emanuel, chairperson of the services joint council committee.

“Pets, like humans, feel the effects of inhaling smoke,” Mr. Emanuel said. “This is an added safety service for residents.”

The cone-shaped masks, donated by Invisible Fence Brand of South Central Ontario, can be used on all types of family pets, including dogs, cats, ferrets, rabbits, guinea pigs and birds.

“This initiative makes sense,” Mr. Emanuel said. “Pets are part of the family.”

Amanda Persico

Move over Mother Goose, Noreen is taking over story time.

The first children’s book published by the Town of Newmarket, Noreen and the Story of a Green Town, was distributed to Grade 1 students this week.

At Armitage Village Public School, children sat on the library floor and listened to Mayor Tony Van Bynen share the story of Noreen as she travels through Newmarket looking for things that are green.

“Do you know what makes a town green?” Mr. Van Bynen asked the group.

“The grass.”

“The trees.”

“The hills.”

“All those things make the town green,” the mayor said. “Newmarket wants to keep all those things healthy for you when you grow up.”

The story introduces green characters, like Lucy the ladybug, Binny the green bin, Beetle the bugand the Smart Car, who work together to bring Newmarket’s environmentally friendly bylaws to life.

In her travels, Noreen goes through town pointing out all of the town’s environmental initiatives, such as the pesticide ban and the green bin program, as well as the idle free and smart commute programs.

She even takes a tour of new Eco-Homes.

“The hope for a more sustainable environment lies with the children,” said Councillor Joe Sponga, who read the story at Stuart Scott Public School. “The honesty in the children shows they’re aware of the issues.”

By engaging the students with a true story, Noreen not only educates, but also gives the children a sense of pride in their town, Mr. Sponga said.

“The kids were bragging about what they do for the environment. My family does this. My class does that,” Councillor Chris Emanuel said, after reading to students of Poplar Banks Public School. “That’s exciting. They’re taking ownership of the issue.”

The hope of distributing the storybook to all Grade 1 students is that parents will learn about Newmarket’s environmental initiatives and programs, along with their children.

Amanda Persico

It’s going to be lights out.

York Region will turn off switches across town in honour of Earth Hour March 29 from 8 to 9 p.m.

To join a conservation movement gaining momentum around the globe, residents, municipalities and businesses will turn off all non-essential equipment, such as the pool-heating devices. Words will not scroll across electric signs, for that hour, as well. For safety reasons, lights in parking lots will be reduced, but not turned off completely.

“Shutting your lights off for just one hour may not make the biggest difference, energy wise. It’s about the broader symbolism,” said Councillor Chris Emanuel, who serves on the Newmarket's Earth Hour committee with collegaues, hydro representatives and community members.

“If we can stimulate discussion around climate change, we’re accomplishing our goal,” he added.

Earth Hour started last year in Sydney, Australia when more than 2.3 million residents and businesses turned off their power in the name of conservation. This year, more than 60 municipalities in Canada are taking part in the lights-out event.

“It’s a global initiative to show our commitment to climate change. We would like to show our leadership and encourage citizens to do the same,” said Viive Sawler, Markham’s energy conservation office manager.

Power distribution companies in York plan to monitor power use during the event.

Doing his part, Mr. Emanuel says he will pass on watching Saturday's Toronto Maple Leafs game on CBC.

“We thought the town should show some leadership on it,” Mr. Emanuel said. “I want to make a personal difference too, by encouraging my neighbours to turn off their lights.”
For more information about, visit earthhour.org

Patrick Mangion, Staff Writer

Newmarket Councillor Chris Emanuel didn’t waste time acknowledging the elephant in the room at a packed community meeting in Newmarket yesterday.

A standing-room-only crowd that swelled to nearly 500 residents was still filtering into the gymnasium at St. Nicholas school when he gave Glenway area residents the assurance they were looking for — he would fight to protect the value of their homes and ensure greenspace was protected.

Rumours and speculation have spread quickly through the residential community, south of Davis Drive, west of Yonge Street, after Glenway Golf and Country Club owner Gary Lester decided to sell the property.

In a package for prospective buyers, real estate broker CB Richard Ellis asks bidders provide, “three examples of redevelopment or other noteworthy real property transactions” as well as three references from a list of fields including engineering, demolition, environmental, planning and legal.
Glenway’s owner has opted for a bidding process, rather than listing the property with a sale price.

Bidding closes March 19.

Mr. Lester was not available for comment, however, club general manager Rick Baker said the property was being sold for personal reasons.

Any application to convert the golf course into residential development should not count on town approval.

That was the message being driven home several times, by Mayor Tony Van Bynen and Mr. Emanuel during the 90-minute meeting.

“The town will defend its official plan and we have a strong case to do so,” Mr. Van Bynen said.