Tag Archives: train

Trestle Logic

15 Thursday Jun 2017

Posted by in Parry Sound, Safety, Suggestions, Train

≈ 3 Comments

Tags

, , ,

When entering a parking structure in the Big Smoke have you noticed how there is generally a bar of some sort hanging from a couple of chains that you are required to drive under? There is also a sign that advises you the maximum vehicle height that can safely park in the structure. But, because people don’t like to read signs, or they don’t have a good sense of heights and numbers, the hanging bar acts as a check. If there is a bump as you pass under the bar you know that you have bigger problems ahead. Time to back up and park somewhere else.

So what do you think would happen if a parking garage posted the correct maximum height sign but set the bar a foot higher? Do you think people would look at the sign and think that the bar is set too high? Or would they simply ignore the sign and see if they fit under? If they are driving a vehicle that is a bit higher, perhaps a pickup truck with a camper unit on the back, they would probably inch forward cautiously, and once they passed under the hanging bar, assume they are okay and drive into the garage. Surprise!

This is basically the situation on William Street in Parry Sound and the CN trestle where there have been three ‘decapitations’ complete and partial in the past year. As you approach the trestle there is a frame structure about 15 feet in front of either side of the trestle. The sign on the trestle says that the maximum height is 10’6”. That seems like enough information to warn the truck driver with an 11’ height to take another route. What would you think if I told you that the clearance of the trestle, where the trucks hit the trestle, is greater than 11’, offering drivers a considerable margin of error. But perhaps 10’6” is actually more reasonable. As you look at the photo below you realize that there is a drop down as the truck travels under the trestle but the box of the truck would still be at the higher road level. That would lead to an angle which might actually make it an effective 10’6”, even if it’s actually three-quarters of a foot higher directly under the trestle.

The problem is not just professional drivers not knowing the height of their rig, or not paying attention, it’s also the support frame about 15 feet in front of the trestle. This structure has a clearance of 13’. I can well imagine that a truck driver might cautiously approach this 13’ frame and, discovering that they are able to get under it, assume they can fit under the trestle. It’s a bit of an optical illusion the way the road dips down, suggesting there is more clearance than there is.

The answer it seems is pretty simple. Suspend a bar on chains under the two support frames at 10’6”, much as you see in parking garages. A truck would pretty quickly figure out that they weren’t going to fit if they heard a thump well before they ventured forward and tore the top off their trailer.

We have had three such incidents just this year. You would think that CN would have figured it out by now that something needs to be done.

Has the Town received a formal report from CN attesting to the integrity of the trestle? Three dings in the past year and many more over the past few decades could mean there is unrecognized structural damage. But, it seems the railways always find it cheaper to apologize and make repairs after the fact than practice prevention.

 

Trains, Trains, Trains

11 Sunday Dec 2016

Posted by in Parry Sound, Train

≈ 2 Comments

Tags

, , ,

I have been rather quiet for the past few months on the issue of trains and how they impact Parry Sound. I don’t expect that will change for the foreseeable future. The railways are what they are, and they do whatever they want. I’m not ready to get over it, but I currently don’t have much to offer.

But, good news for those of you who do follow trains and are interested in their impact on local communities, Trainjane is back again at railandreason.com. This is a blog site that offers considerable information and insight on issues concerning the railways in Canada. They have been away for the last two years but have just announced their return. I highly recommend the site as a source of national information regarding rail activity.

In one of their first posts since returning they have provided a link to the document:

Guidelines for New Development in Proximity to Railway Operations

It’s an interesting read that highlights the more important considerations for new construction along railway corridors. Parry Sound certainly needs to understand and take note of the report’s recommendations.

guidelines-for-new-development-in-proximity-to-railway-operations

 

 

Council Agenda Preview – 2016-10-18

15 Saturday Oct 2016

Posted by in Parry Sound, Town Council

≈ 1 Comment

Tags

, , , ,

It’s a very, very light agenda this week and I have identified in the section below those items that are of most interest, to me at least, with a few comments.

I’ll use the introduction to discuss an issue that is not on the agenda but came out as a news item. Fool me once shame on you, fool me twice, shame on me. It’s about the toilets on Seguin Street almost directly across from Parry Sound Town Hall being vandalized for what seems to be the fifth time in the past year. The last time we had an ongoing issue like this, vandalizing of the pumping station across from the high school, the Town took action and set up a camera. Along with discussion and education, it brought results. I think it’s time to do that once again, only this time the setup would be much easier. I wonder if these individuals are also responsible for the damage at Tower Hill, the baskets on the bridge, and the Waubuno Beach toilets. I realize that common wisdom is to just fix the damage and that with time the individuals will either grow up, leave town, or grow tired of the activity. But I believe enough is enough. Let’s invest a little bit of time and effort to sort this out.

On another topic I read in the North Star on Wednesday the 12th that the CN Police have jurisdiction 500 metres on either side of the railway track. I guess that is so they can pursue individuals and make an arrest. A bit like in the southern police TV shows where the sheriff and deputy were restricted to conducting chases only as far as their county line. But, if we do have CN Police jurisdiction out to 500 metres perhaps we can reduce our OPP service and save a few bucks. (Just kidding of course. But it means all of my property is under the jurisdiction of the CN ‘brown shirts’. Presumably they can trespass at will. Authority but no real responsibility is not a desirable situation.)

The agenda items with comments follow.

Correspondence

4.2 – Wendy Pegahmagabow, Executive Director, Harvest Share Re: Reinstatement of Charitable Status for Harvest Share. I’m glad to see that this has been fixed up. It’s a good organization that deserves our support, and the tax deduction makes it a no-brainer.

4.6 – Dianna Allen, resident. Re: Request for Council to consider amendments to the Zoning By-law to allow Parry Sound residents to have backyard hens. I think I support this even though I have no intention of taking advantage of any by-law change. Let’s just make sure the number of chickens is limited, perhaps as a percent of the property square footage. The next question of course is, what about ducks and geese? Lambs and goats? I think it’s manageable but needs some reasonable limits. Will it attract wildlife is another question that needs to be addressed.

Resolutions and Direction to Staff

9.5.2 – Tender – Snow Removal. Resolution. Tender – Snow Removal. That Council accept the tender from Weeks Construction Inc. for snow removal on town streets during the 2016/2017 winter season, including traffic control and labour costs to clear around infrastructure including tree pits and hydrants, as follows: Tandem dump truck: $ 95.00 per hour. Wheeled loader: $105.00 per hour. Blower and control unit: $105.00 per hour. This tender is the lowest tender of three tenders received.

9.6.1 – Feasibility of Establishing a Compost Facility. Direction. That the Director of Public Works be directed to prepare a report and recommendation on the feasibility of establishing a commercial, institutional and multi-residential composting facility for consideration during 2017 Budget deliberations. This makes sense to me, especially with the bear issues we are facing and the attraction of backyard composting. But a central composting facility would be gull and bear magnet. There are never any easy answers, even if intentions are good.

By-laws

10.1.1 – Rezoning Application – Z/16/5 – 84 Bowes Street (Breault). Being a By-law to amend By-law No. 2004-4653 (The Zoning By-law), as amended, for 84 Bowes Street (Breault).

10.1.2 – Site Plan Approval Application – The Parry Sound Affordable Housing Development Corporation – 82 Gibson Street. Being a By-law to grant Site Plan Approval and authorize the execution and registration of a development agreement with The Parry Sound Affordable Housing Development Corporation – 82 Gibson Street. This is the William Beatty School redevelopment.

I may not attend this week’s meeting given the light agenda and the rapidly disappearing evening light.

Friday Evening at the Champaigne Street Boat Launch

friday-evening-champaigne-street

 

REDAC Regional Market Plan Reflections

10 Saturday Sep 2016

Posted by in Parry Sound, Reflections, Seguin Township

≈ 6 Comments

Tags

, , , , , , , , , , , , ,

A few thoughts after reviewing the REDAC Regional Marketing Plan issued June 2016.

Positives:

  1. The report was not too shy in identifying some of the issues and challenges facing the region in terms of increasing economic development.
  2. There was a clear understanding that it is one thing to prepare a plan, and another to fund and effectively implement the plan.
  3. The plan appropriately identified the need for monitoring and assessing the effectiveness of any marketing programs.

Oversights:

Several meaningful issues were overlooked in the report. Was it a case of simply not recognizing the issues, or was it a case of ‘sweeping it under the carpet’. My sense of some important points that were overlooked:

  1. Services
  2. Tax differentials
  3. Housing value
  4. Railways

Services:

The services available to homeowners and businesses varies considerably throughout the area studied in the REDAC report (Parry Sound, McDougall, Seguin, and Carling). These include:

  • Municipal water
  • Municipal sewer
  • Natural gas

There was mention of the need for better internet connectivity. For the most part it’s not that big an issue except at the residential level. Wireless service is actually quite good, and for businesses it is not an unreasonable expense if it impacts business and profitability. They aren’t streaming video at work. Businesses out in the backwoods of the region really can’t expect ‘fibre’ type service, and if they really needed it they would not be located where they are. Homeowners who want to stream video at home have an issue as wireless can be expensive. Better, actually mostly cheaper, internet services are a nice to have that would help attract people and businesses to the area.

Real businesses that employ people and serve customers on site, not the retired consultant type shop, need water and sewer service. Yes, a well and septic bed can do the job, but it raises an unreasonable burden of effort for businesses that have other things to think about. Think about the new high school to be built in the area. Will they locate somewhere that depends on wells and sewers? Perhaps, but given their preferences they would rather not be doing weekly water tests to make sure the kids aren’t drinking contaminated water following that big rain. And how big a septic bed is needed for a high school of 1,000 students? Right, just about the size of a football or soccer field.

A bigger issue is the availability of natural gas. Electricity is expensive, especially for uses like heating. Natural gas is remarkably inexpensive, but it requires an infrastructure that is only available in Parry Sound and a relatively select number of addresses in the other municipalities. Propane is an option, but it’s not nearly as cheap or convenient as natural gas. I suspect a large number of people who installed electric baseboards when electricity was cheap regret not putting in more insulation, or installing a furnace and ducting that could be used with propane, a heat pump, or natural gas when it arrived along their road.

Tax Differentials:

The tax rates on property in the five municipalities vary about three-fold, with Seguin at the low end and Parry Sound at the top. Taxes reflect a balance of what services municipal residents and business want to receive and how much they are willing to pay for them. The lower taxes in the surrounding regions do not arise from happenstance, they reflect the interests of the taxpayers.

Municipalities like the Town of Parry Sound are stretched in terms of the taxes they can collect and the services they are expected to deliver. Adding new taxable residents and businesses is a priority as much of the infrastructure is already established and any increased revenues from new residents and businesses would be ‘profitable’, and help support necessary infrastructure upgrades for all. Economic development that leads to increased property values is very much in the interests of Parry Sound. The only real revenue the Town has is from the taxation of property and government grants.

The other municipalities do not have the same needs for more development and greater tax revenues. This is reflected in their lower tax rates. Economic development is something that is nice to talk about, because it reflects positively on councils. But do they really want it? Is it possible that more development will lead to a requirement for new services that might mean higher tax rates? Nobody likes to raise property taxes, especially if your municipality depends on being the low tax provider.

I think the residents of these municipalities would rather not promote development. Many of them like it the way it is. Seasonal residents are complaining about the development of certain lakes and are calling for a moratorium on new cottages. And I’m not sure that people really like the idea of losing the small town, or cottage area, feeling that comes with more development. If permanent and seasonal residents can enjoy low taxes and the services of a town like Parry Sound next door or Bracebridge a little further away, why do they need more ‘economic development’? There is no benefit, only the potential for change and higher taxes.

The tax differential between municipalities drives much more than was ever suggested in the REDAC report.

Substandard Housing Value:

This mostly applies to the Town of Parry Sound. Housing in Parry Sound is by Toronto standards cheap;  but it is a poor value. There are any number of reasons for this, none of which are easily fixed by politicians. In more affluent regions many of these houses would be leveled and replaced with the types of housing that young families need and can afford. The development of well-designed condo facilities offers some hope for better value housing in Parry Sound, but this type of housing will not appeal to those with families who want a backyard. They can get that type of housing in the Barrie, Orillia and Owen Sound areas, where there are also the jobs to support the associated cost of this housing. Chicken and egg, or egg and chicken?

The Railways:

Again mostly a Parry Sound issue. Canadian National and Canadian Pacific together run about twenty or more heavy freight trains through Parry Sound every day and represent a serious deterrent to business investment and residential development. Not surprisingly, the most substantial recent residential development, Silver Birch, is located far from the railway tracks. Bt it comes at a price, Highway 400 with it’s noisy weekend summer traffic. One development in Parry Sound close to the tracks, and subject to crossings that see trains going both ways, has struggled despite offering attractive ‘Southern Ontario’ single family homes. The issue is not just the risk of a Lac Megantic type event, or even the occasional road blockages, it’s the day-in, day-out, sound of air horns blasting at six crossings and the squeal of the wheels as they round the many curves, day and night. Why build a business in Parry Sound if you can build in Seguin or McDougall?  Oh, there’s the issue of services and infrastructure. Why not just go to communities like Orillia, Barrie and the ‘suburban’ areas of Muskoka, where you are not subject to trains in the same manner and you have access to more customers (retail and service), cheaper transport costs (manufacturing), and a larger employment pool?

 

Parry Sound Bay and Beyond can become an attractive destination for both people and businesses. The trouble is that there are too many other Southern Ontario municipalities that are already much more attractive. Once these destinations reach their limit to host businesses and new homes people will begin to look at Parry Sound Bay and Beyond. That is unless we can get our act together, work together, and create the infrastructure to compete. But area municipalities, with the exception of Parry Sound have more than enough money to continue operating as they have for the last twenty years, for another twenty years, without attracting any new residents or businesses. These municipalities have little motivation to do anything new. They just need to pretend to be interested lest permanent residents and businesses think they don’t play nicely with others.

Provincial and Federal civil servants are quite happy to facilitate and fund discussions of economic development in the West Parry Sound area. It their job to do it. And they are well paid jobs. By gosh they will do their best to get it done, regardless of the odds. It reminds me of the continuous negotiations in the Middle East between the Israelis and the Palestinians facilitated by the United States. The US State Department is tasked with getting a real agreement between these two parties and they try their best. It’s their job, even though there is no prospect of any type of agreement. At this point Israel has everything it needs in the region. It has the wealth, military strength and political influence to ensure nothing is taken from them. It is not in their interest to negotiate. Any appearance of willingness to negotiate is strictly a function of making nice with the President of the United States who gets it in their mind every now and then that they want to gain statesman status by brokering a grand peace agreement.

Final Thoughts

I started out this review of the REDAC Regional Marketing Plan expecting to be critical of Whitestone, McKellar and The Archipelago for not participating in the REDAC economic development process. Looking at things a little more closely I have come to realize that they are perhaps the only honest brokers in the region, willing to admit that not only do they not need regional cooperation, they are actually better off without it. I will give a pass also to the Town of Parry Sound. I believe they do support regional economic development because they desperately need the increased tax base to manage tax rates and support additional infrastructure necessary for the larger community.

Even Parry Sound tax rates are on the low end for Northern Ontario as was presented in a survey of Northern Ontario municipalities. I visited Elliot Lake in August and was impressed by the upkeep of the town and the facilities it offers. But it benefits from a population base about twice that of Parry Sound, a much larger geographic area (715 sq. km, versus 13 sq. km), and a tax rate 40% higher.

Regional economic development is something to keep Municipal, Provincial and Federal employees busy, and employed. If Ontario and Canada really want to see additional economic development in the area they need to provide incentives to McDougall and Seguin to hand over enough land to Parry Sound to allow for real economic development, by a municipality that is interested in economic development, and with established infrastructure. Incentives to McDougall and Seguin might include support for policing expenses, and/or broadband infrastructure, and/or an area athletic complex. But that would be a bribe I suppose. Given America’s experience with the billions they have pumped into the Middle East, I expect it wouldn’t work too well here. Take the money and run.

Aside: reading yesterday’s Beacon Star I saw that Seguin has started thinking about their 2017 budget. Their high priority items are summer weekend support for a nursing station in Rosseau, taking responsibility for unassumed roads, and a tennis court. All this with a potential 0% increase in taxes. Seguin is doing just fine with their current business model. Why take on development that might mean responsibility for building the services accompanying business and non-seasonal resident growth? It might mean tax increases and unfamiliar faces. That’s okay, the area municipalities have their cake and are able to eat it as well. They  seem to be riding as high on property values as were the Middle East oil kingdoms were when oil was $100 a barrel. As long as property valuation stay high, and seasonal residents don’t become permanent residents and expect Toronto level services, it’s all okay.

Mismatched Objectives, Taking Off and Heading to Port.
(Best to just get out of each other’s way.)

redwood1890-20160809-_dsc2893

Update: tracking down a link for the Beacon Star article I came across a squabble between Carling and the The Archipelago about phone bills. Yup, sure, let’s invest more in regional cooperation. (Not!) The Town of Parry Sound needs to take on a Singapore or Hong Kong frame of mind. Small is beautiful. It may not be cheap but it offers great value. Can we erect borders?

 

 

Council Agenda Preview – April 19, 2016

18 Monday Apr 2016

Posted by in Parry Sound, Town Council

≈ Comments Off on Council Agenda Preview – April 19, 2016

Tags

, , , , , , , ,

At first look this week’s meeting appears to be light, but does in fact move forward with a few important initiatives. Item 9.6.1 is an interesting series of proposals regarding business critical improvements for Parry Sound. The attachments offer little detail in terms of the group’s analysis, and for the most part simply summarizes the recommendations. I encourage people read the Resolution with attachments in the full meeting agenda.

There are also a number of fund transfers on the agenda, Items 9.1.1 and 9.1.2, none of which look controversial. The Parry Sound and Area Chamber of Commerce, Item 9.1.4 is on the agenda requesting forgiveness of property taxes in consideration of major capital improvements and maintenance of the CN Station by the Chamber over the past three decades.

Consent Agenda

8.1 – Rail Safety Week – April 25 to May 1, 2016. Resolution. Be It Resolved that Mayor and Council declare April 25 to May1, 2016 Rail Safety Week in the Town of Parry Sound.
Did you check out the CBC report on the 100 most dangerous railway crossings in Canada? I suspect that Cascade Street would have made the list had the Town not invested in the crossing arms.

Resolutions and Direction to Staff

9.1.1 – Reserve and Reserve Funds transfers at December 31, 2015. Resolution. That Council hereby approves the transfers to and from reserves, as outlined in the Report and Recommendation – “Reserve Transfers at December 31, 2015” attached as Schedule “A”; and That Council hereby approves the transfers to and from reserve funds, as outlined in the Report and Recommendation – “Reserve Transfers at December 31, 2015” attached as Schedule “A”.
There are multiple Reserve Funds involved with these transfers. I suggest that the interested reader pull up the full agenda package to review the recommendations. I expect that it will be approved as per the Resolution.

9.1.2 – Charles W. Stockey Centre – Transfer to Bobby Orr Hall of Fame (BOHF) Reserve and to Unfinanced Capital Outlay. Resolution.

  1. That Council approve a reduction in the “Unfinanced Capital Outlay” (being the capital construction debt) relating to the Charles W. Stockey Centre in the amount of $27,745.69, this being the amount necessary to extinguish the unfinanced capital cost.
  2. That Council approve a transfer to the Stockey Centre Reserve in the amount of $32,954.65, being 50% of the remaining unspent municipal contribution from the 2015 budget for the Charles W. Stockey Centre.
  3. That Council approve a transfer to the Bobby Orr Hall of Fame Reserve in the amount of $32,954.65, being 50% of the remaining unspent municipal contribution from the 2015 budget for the Charles W. Stockey Centre.

9.1.4 – Request for waiving of property tax – Chamber of Commerce. Resolution. That the request from the Parry Sound Area Chamber of Commerce to waive outstanding taxes, be denied.
I will be doing a deputation on this issue. It turns out that the Parry Sound and Area Chamber of Commerce has invested tens of thousands of dollars over the years and is largely responsible for the CN Station surviving to the 21st Century.

9.3.1 – Tower Hill: Transfer from Parks Reserve. Resolution. That Council authorize the transfer of $5,000 from the Parks Reserve to the Tower Hill park operating budget for the purchase of furnishings for Tower Hill Gardens, per the attached Schedule “A”.
There are some interesting recommendations made in the full agenda package that should entice visitors to to the garden to stop and linger a little longer. Check out the full agenda package for more information.

9.3.2 – 60 Bowes Street – Application – Council Approved Sign. Resolution. That the Chief Building Official is authorized and directed to issue a permit for a standard sign on the premise of 60 Bowes Street according to the exceptions and Conditions in Schedule “A” attached.
This seems to relate to the new medical centre being built across from the hospital.

9.3.3 – One Time New Event Grant. Resolution. That Council approve the One Time New Events Grant program, attached as Schedule “A”.
The resolution proposes a total budget of $5,000 to be provided to organizations to support first time events in Parry Sound. It seems to be a way to help ‘make things happen’.

9.3.4 – Proposal from Jack Sports Group: GMHL Jr. A Team. Resolution. That the agreement proposed from Jack Sports Group for use of the Bobby Orr Community Centre, per the attached Schedule “A”, be denied.
This is an interesting issue. Jack Sports, owner of the Parry Sound Islanders hockey team, is requesting multiple considerations to keep the hockey team at the Bobby Orr Community Centre. Staff concerns range from financial, to logistics, to odours. It’s worth a read if you are interested in understanding the business of ‘for profit’ minor league hockey.

9.4.1 – EMS Power Stretchers. Resolution. That the Town of Parry Sound authorizes the expenditure of $48,672.00 +GST to Stryker EMS for the supply of three Power Stretchers.

9.4.2 – Decommissioned Ambulances. Resolution. That the Town of Parry Sound Council approve one ambulance being decommissioned in 2015 be donated to The Town of Kearney.

9.6.1 – Business Stimulus Report. Resolution. That upon the recommendation of the Business Stimulus Task Team, Council receives the ‘Business Stimulus Report’; and The Corporation of the Town of Parry Sound Council Meeting Agenda April 19, 2016 that the following recommendations be approved:

  1. That cost estimates for the following new infrastructure upgrades be prepared. Cost estimates should be based on upsizing and the provision of service laterals:
  2. a) Great North Road, assuming maximum development possibilities;
  3. b) Champagne Street, assuming maximum development possibilities;
  4. c) Parry Sound Road to accommodate the potential of an in-town Industrial Park;
  5. d) Parry Sound Road to Oastler Park Drive
  6. e) Emily Street; and
  7. That funding strategies for the above upgrades be developed.
  8. That the Town develop Terms of Reference for a “Meet and Greet’/Ambassador team; and
  9. That the Town’s web page be enhanced to include a tab featuring private, municipal and senior government properties that are suitable for commercial or industrial development, and for sale. The property owners will be invited to participate in the development of the property profiles; and
  10. That the current Community Improvement Program (CIP) be reviewed, specifically with a focus on the Façade Improvement Program and the Tax Increment Equivalent Grant Program (TIEG), with recommendation to be brought to Council in August 2016; and
  11. That an application be submitted to the Ministry of Municipal Affairs & Housing (MMAH) requesting that the approval authority for Official Plan amendments be delegated to the Town; and
  12. That staff develop scope and terms of reference regarding the delegation of site plan approvals that are straight-forward to the Principal Planner.
  13. That staff develop a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Town and property owner for the Beatty Big Sound property to ensure requirements for access and future servicing are considered.
  14. That staff research alternatives and efficiencies for delivery of Parry Sound Area Planning Board services.
  15. That staff develop weighting criteria to be used for the application of the ‘Principles and Guidelines for Private Sector Development’ policy; and
  16. That a priority planning session be scheduled with Council as establishing priorities will bring focus with a view to return on investment. (scheduled for May 19, 2016).

This is a large set of recommendations mostly summarized in the Resolution. I’ll take a later look at this and possibly provide a separate post on the recommendations. Take a look at the full agenda if you want to understand the basis of the recommendations.

By-Laws

None

I will be at the meeting this week, see you there.

Winter Finally Loosens It’s White Grip on the North Shore Rugged Trail

Redwood1890-20160414-_DSC2541

Council Meeting Notes – September 1, 2015

04 Friday Sep 2015

Posted by in Town Council

≈ Comments Off on Council Meeting Notes – September 1, 2015

Tags

, , , , , ,

Lots of decisions, and nothing was decided that doesn’t make sense. It was a full agenda, and Council managed to plow through it. Here are the key summary points based on my reading of the meeting minutes which are available at the Town’s website.

Public Meeting

2.1.1 – Proposed Zoning By-law Amendment – Z/15/2 (6963510 Canada Incorporated) – Louisa Street. One objection was raised and related to the broad nature of the rezoning requested.

2.1.3 – Proposed Zoning By-law Amendment – Z15/4 (Van Gelder – 48 Bowes Street). The final proposed Zoning By-law Amendment is an application to amend an existing Special Provision 26.67 zone to permit a Business or Professional Office and an accessory dwelling unit. No objections were noted.

Deputations

5.1 – Mr. Frank Hinde. Re: Three near misses encountered on Great North Road and Bowes Street while trying to cross the street. The issue seems related to people turning right from Great North Road onto Bowes Street before pedestrians, and presumably mobility assisting devices, have cleared the walkway. It was noted that laws in Ontario have changed such that a vehicle may not turn right on red until the pedestrian walkway is clear. Let’s all remember this. 

Resolutions and Directions to Staff

9.2.1 – Olympic Sailing Bid. Resolution. Now therefore be it resolved that Council of the Town of Parry Sound supports Sail Parry Sound’s recommendation for 2024 Olympic sailing to be held in Parry Sound. CARRIED.

9.3.1 – Information Technology – Infrastructure Replacement. Resolution. DEFEATED. Council, rather than purchase the equipment from the identified supplier, has decided to purchase equipment through an open tender process. They also approved the transfer of the current GIS technician to the new position of IT Support Technician, and eliminated the positions of GIS Technician and IT Systems Coordinator.

9.3.2 – POA Write-offs for Under Payments. Resolution. CARRIED.

9.4.1 – Fluoride system upgrades for the Tony Agnello Water Treatment Plant. Resolution. CARRIED.

9.4.5 – Waubeek St. Reconstruction – Expression of Interest. Resolution. CARRIED.

9.5.1 – Regional Marketing Plan. Resolution. That upon the recommendation of the Regional Economic Development Advisory Committee (REDAC), Council accept the proposal received from HCA Mindbox in the amount of $60,300 (HST extra), for the development of a Regional Marketing Plan. CARRIED.

By-laws

10.4.1 – CN Agreement – Isabella Street Grade Crossing. Being a by-law to execute an agreement with Canadian National Railway Company for modifications at the grade crossing of Isabella Street including the installation of flashing lights, gates, bell and constant warning device. CARRIED.

10.4.2 – Funding Agreement – Emily Street. Being a by-law to authorize the execution of a New Building Canada Fund – Small Communities Fund Agreement between Her Majesty the Queen in Right of Ontario, as represented by the Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs and The Corporation of the Town of Parry Sound. CARRIED.

10.5.2 – NOHFC Funding Agreement: Regional Marketing Plan. Being a By-law to authorize the execution of a funding agreement between the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund (NOHFC) and the Town of Parry Sound for the development of a Regional Marketing Plan. CARRIED.

There was more, and you will need to read the meeting minutes at the Town’s website for all of the decisions. The local news sources, Moose-FM and the North/Beacon Star, should have additional information and fill in the details.

Rather than attend the meeting I enjoyed the warm and humid last days of summer to cycle through Town and take some photos. If you attended the meeting, here is one view of what you missed.

Reach for the Top (Parry Sound in Colour)

Redwood1890-20150901-_DS78055-Edit

Council Agenda Preview – June 2, 2015

01 Monday Jun 2015

Posted by in Parry Sound, Town Council

≈ Comments Off on Council Agenda Preview – June 2, 2015

Tags

, , , , , , ,

The theme for Tuesday’s meeting is water. Water for drinking and water for swimming.

The Public Works report recommends that the Town stop fluoridating the Town’s water supply (9.3.2). The agenda includes a deputation by Dr. Jim Chirico, Medical Officer of Health, regarding fluoridation in the Town’s water supply (5.2). The content of the deputation was not included with the council meeting package. The Public Works opinion on fluoridation seems to boil down to the fact that they can’t make a recommendation on the basis of the medical or scientific information, but fluoridation is a cost to the Town and it is a challenge to implement. So if there is no clear medical reason to continue, they recommend stopping. There will be a period for public comment on the proposed change. I have an opinion, but it’s not worth sharing.

The other water related agenda item concerns a public pool. The Town is being asked to support a Carling Township initiative (5.2) requesting the Near North School Board consider including a pool and recreation complex with the future K-12 school. I have an opinion on the general merit of a pool that I shared in a post last week. Talk fortunately is cheap. Let’s pay more attention once it starts to get remotely serious. Internet for nothing and a pool for free? (Apologies to Dire Straits.) You can’t blame the municipalities for asking.

The Town also received a lengthy response from Canadian Pacific Railways in response to the Town’s concerns about crossing blockages and excessive speed. It’s worth reading but it’s only found in the full agenda package. It’s available upon request from the Town, or from this site at the ‘TOPS Agenda Packages’ page (see the top menu).

Sounding like a broken record, I suggest you at least review the Council agenda summaries available at the Town’s website before each meeting to see if there are items of importance to you and which weren’t covered in this preview post. You have the opportunity to make a short deputation at the council meeting if you want to express an opinion, or provide additional information, prior to Council discussion and vote. It’s harder to get things changed once they have been approved.

Correspondence

4.2 – Randy Marsh, Director, Government Affairs, CP Rail. Re: Response to Letter sent regarding track speeds, track maintenance and train braking systems. It’s long and it’s worth reading.

Deputations

5.1 – Brenda Ryan, Chair of the Waterfront Advisory Committee Re: Slide show presentation of Town Dock Improvements – Phase 1. The committee has been busy and it will be interesting to understand their vision and recommendations.

5.2 – Dr. Jim Chirico, Medical Officer of Health. Re: Fluoridation in the Parry Sound’s Drinking Water System. I suspect this presentation will support fluoridation, but let’s wait and see.

Consent Agenda

8.2 – Area Pool and Recreation Complex. Resolution. Whereas the Township of Carling has circulated a resolution in support of an opportunity to incorporate an area pool and recreation complex into the site planning for the new K-12 School which will serve not only the students the entire community of West Parry Sound, attached as Schedule “A”; Now Therefore Be It Resolved that the Town of Parry Sound supports the Township of Carling’s resolution and urges the other West Parry Sound Municipalities to join them in support of this and in requesting that the Near North Board of Education consider a process for collaboration regarding this concept; and Further that this resolution be copied to the Near North District School Board.

Resolutions and Direction To Staff

9.1.1 – Canada 150 Community Infrastructure Program. Resolution. That Council of the Town of Parry Sound supports the joint application with the Municipality of McDougall, for funding under the Canada 150 Community Infrastructure Program for the Parry Sound to McDougall Trail Link Canada 150 Anniversary Project.

9.3.2 – Fluoride in Town’s Drinking Water. Direction. That Council direct staff to notify the Ministry of Health that it is the Town’s intention to cease adding fluoride to the Town of Parry Sound’s municipal water system, effective September 1, 2015; and That a 21 day Notice Period be invoked to provide the public an opportunity to provide input; and That the report and recommendation be considered at the July 7th Council meeting. That staff be directed to prepare a bylaw authorizing the ceasing of adding fluoride to the Town’s municipal water system. It would be a little cheaper to stop fluoridating (about one-third the cost of the hanging flower baskets), but would it be better, or even as good? That’s a question Council will be hard pressed to answer. I don’t think any of them have relevant medical or scientific training, and the Public Works report largely relates to the practical implementation of fluoridation, not its impact on health (for good or ill).

9.4.1. 9.4.2, 9.4.3 – Resolutions. Waterfront Advisory Committee Terms of Reference. Town Dock Improvements – Phase I. Big Sound Marina – Dock ‘B’ Redevelopment. A series of resolutions concerning the Waterfront. You’ll need to read the agenda package to get the details. There is movement and improvement.

By-laws

10.5.1 – Business Improvement Area (BIA) Levy By-Law. It’s up 5.8% this year. The cost will be on the order of $300 to $600 per building owner (probably more for those with multiple tenants and higher value). The council package has a summary of where the money is spent.

See you Tuesday night.

Going Grey. Fitting in with the Town’s ‘senior’ theme?
(Parry Sound in Four Colour)

Redwood1890-20150526-_PL50186_DxO-2

Council Meeting Notes – May 19, 2015

20 Wednesday May 2015

Posted by in Parry Sound, Town Council

≈ Comments Off on Council Meeting Notes – May 19, 2015

Tags

, , , , , , ,

Last night’s meeting covered considerable ground without missing a beat. It’s worth noting that Parry Sound Council will not continue to lie down and take abuse and neglect from the railways. Last night Council agreed to draft and send a letter to the Province requesting legislation concerning the taxation of railway assets be updated and revised. If the railways feel they have the moral and legal right to do whatever they want,they should be required to pay for the privilege. And it is a privilege. Let’s see how far this goes and whether it’s the start of something much, much bigger. Perhaps we can channel Rosa Parks.

There were no surprises, except perhaps that the request for a Beerfest noise exemption was withdrawn. The meeting’s decisions with limited comments are provided in the text below. For more information and background check out the full Parry Sound Council Agenda Package available here, or my Council Preview available here.

Correspondence

4.3 – Parry Sound Area Chamber of Commerce. Re: Request for tax relief – 4th 1/4 2014 & 2015 (on this evening’s agenda Item 9.4.4). Noted and acted upon later in the meeting.

4.6 – Z. Crafts, N. Collins & G. Mason. Re: 2.3 acres of land adjacent to new Parry Sound Public School (on this evening’s agenda Item 9.4.7). A deputation was made and the issue was addressed later in the meeting.

4.7 – Minister of Transportation. Re: Highway winter maintenance. Noted.

Resolutions and Direction To Staff

9.2.2 – Taxation of Railway Properties. Resolution. CARRIED. This is the railway issue noted earlier. Council also decided to send a copy of the resolution to our Member of Parliament – Tony Clement and the railways. It was estimated that taxing the railways at the usual commercial rate could provide the Town with an additional $500,000 per year in revenue. The railways currently leverage their monopolies, and they are monopolies, to report billions of dollars annually in profits. It’s also worth noting that any taxation of the railways would also benefit our neigbouring municipalities who also ‘host’ railway tracks, trestles and building structures.

9.4.1 – Bill 73 – Town of Parry Sound Comments. Resolution. CARRIED.

9.4.3 – Parry Sound Beerfest: Noise By-law relief. Resolution. WITHDRAWN. Beerfest will not be part of this year’s Dragon Boat Festival, but should be back next year.

9.4.4 – Parry Sound Area Chamber of Commerce. Resolution. CARRIED.

9.4.5 – 2015 Municipal Assistance Program Allocations. Resolution. CARRIED. The figures were not presented at the meeting, but should be available today through the Town office.

9.4.6 – Rezoning Application – Z15-01 – General Amendment to Parking Requirements. By-law and Resolution. CARRIED (both).

9.4.7 – Request Council’s Approval in Principle for a Naturalized Park Space. Resolution. CARRIED. This proposal was well received by Council who also asked that information be supplied concerning the care and maintenance of the facility for the long term. They noted that many projects started by enthusiastic volunteers often lose community support and fall into disrepair and neglect. The group will return in the fall with a more expansive proposal following this initial show of support by Parry Sound Council.

9.4.8 – Response to Proposed MNRF Wetland Assessment for Louisa Street. Resolution. CARRIED.

9.4.9 – 2015 Rotary Dragon Boat Festival. Resolution. CARRIED.

9.5.3 – Railway Blockages. Resolution. CARRIED.

By-laws

10.5.1 – No Smoking By-law. CARRIED. Council approved a second by-law proposal that would limit smoking on Town property and facilities to designated smoking areas rather than defining a perimeter area where smoking would not be permitted. Defining a perimeter, be it 9 or 20 metres is hard for most people to understand and comply with. Permitted smoking areas are much easier to understand and enforce. An interesting aside arose during a question from Council concerning e-cigarettes and restrictions. The Town currently does not regulate e-cigarettes, nor do the surrounding communities. Does this mean you can ‘vape’ in the Bobby Orr Community Centre or the Stockey Centre? Or in the Town office? ‘Vaping’, the use of e-cigarettes is being much more popular among the younger generation because they provide nicotine, are flavoured, and make it easy to do ‘tricks’. Tricks include things like blowing smoke rings. I understand there are competitions to see who can do the best tricks with e-cigarettes. You apparently just dial-up the temperature and it makes for a heavy ‘cloud’ of ‘smoke’.

The next time Council meets, it will be free parking in Parry Sound. Free, free, free! Oh, by the way, there is no free lunch, nor is there any free parking. Somebody pays!

The North Star does a good job of carrying more detailed information on these items, including quotes and follow-up discussions with the people involved in the issue. Typically you can expect the story will be in the following Wednesday’s issue of the North Star, perhaps earlier online. So, last night’s stories will be in the May 27th issue of the North Star.

Preparing for the Dragon Boat Festival. (Parry Sound in Full Colour)

Redwood1890-20150514-_DSC0240_DxO

Bumps in the Night

08 Friday May 2015

Posted by in Parry Sound, Train

≈ Comments Off on Bumps in the Night

Tags

, ,

Wednesday’s, May 6, 2015, issue of the North Star had an article concerning an early March railway accident at the Church Street crossing that I wondered would ever come to ‘light’. I’m glad it did, because too often ‘what happens at night, stays in the dark’. Here’s a link to the online article.

The report said that a load of rails, the kind used for railway tracks, loosened on a CP train while traveling through Parry Sound allowing one of them to ‘hang out’. As it crossed Church Street the rail caught a ‘utility’ pole and dropped it. Here’s a photo from the next morning.

Cut Off at the Knees (Parry Sound in Four Colour)

Redwood189020150309-_DSC9599_DxO

But what happened to the rail that was hanging out and cut off the pole? What else did it hit? That wasn’t elaborated on in the North Star article, and it’s one of those details that CP probably didn’t want to discuss. I understand that the train just continued on, the engineer and conductor unaware that the rail was hanging out. The clip of the pole probably would not have been noticeable from the lead engine.

Apparently the rail hit the trestle crossing Gibson Street and a section broke off, falling down on the street. Fortunately it was at night and no one was hurt. That probably solved the problem of the rail hitting anything else. The trestle crossing Gibson Street is pretty ‘tight’ and would have clipped the rail reasonably short. I have no idea when the crew became aware of the problem.

What might have happened had it been during the day and the rail had slipped out on the right hand side? For many reasons I’m glad that both schools are being moved away from the railway tracks.

Sometimes what you don’t know can hurt you.

Anyone else noticing that the southbound trains seem to have picked up speed in the last week along the CN track? I understand legislation will be enacted this Fall that will increase the safety requirements of the railways operating in Canada. Stronger tankers and slower speeds are part of the legislation.

Is This ‘Rail’ Line Dancing? (Parry Sound in Motion)

CN_Dancing_Small

Council Meeting Notes – April 21, 2015

22 Wednesday Apr 2015

Posted by in Parry Sound, Town Council

≈ Comments Off on Council Meeting Notes – April 21, 2015

Tags

, , , , , , ,

The meeting started off with a presentation or awards to the Champion Parry Sound Shamrock Midget Hockey Team. Let me assure they certainly aren’t midgets as most people would understand the word to mean.

This was followed by the public meeting, Item 2.1, that never actually indicated what it concerned. It was noted as being a ‘housekeeping’ issue but I believe it concerned a removal of the requirement to have defined on title parking for downtown Parry Sound properties. It’s hard to get public input if you never actually state what you want input on.

Council expressed dismay at the lack of responsiveness of CN Railway to the crossing blockages last Friday. So what are you going to do about it Council? Why waste time expressing disappointment and concern if you aren’t going to act. I’ll have more to say on this point in the next couple of weeks.

Returning to the meeting agenda here is a quick update on what was decided. No surprises, none at all.

Public Meeting
2.1 – A public meeting respecting a housekeeping amendment to the Town of Parry Sound Zoning By-law 2004-4653 under Sections 34 of the Planning Act, as amended. The purpose of the proposed Zoning By-Law amendment is to amend the Zoning By-law to permit the renovation of existing buildings in the Business Improvement Area for residential units. Limited written and spoken comments were provided, all of which were in support of this. Council will now deliberate and pass judgement, which of course will be to approve the change.

Correspondence
4.6 – Letter – Don Dudek, owner of 34 Seguin Street. Re: Support for the Zoning By-law Amendment regarding amending the cash-in-lieu of parking provision. This was in support of 2.1 above.

Deputations
5.1 – Terrilynne Bannon, Municipal Relations Representative, Municipal Property Assessment Corporation. Re: Education and Training Session about MPAC. An interesting presentation. All properties will be reassessed as of January 2016 with the increased, or decreased. assessments applied in the following years.

5.2 – Bernadette and Erick Phillis, residents of Seguin. Re: Lack of public transportation in Parry Sound. A no-show.

5.3 – Dan DiNicolo, IT Co-ordinator, Town of Parry Sound. Re: Overview of the Town’s new website. This should be interesting. The site looks good. One change that wasn’t mentioned was the change to the domain – parrysound.ca. I suspect, but don’t know, that they were provided the domain by Metroland Media who own the parrysound.com domain. If you use the .com extension you will end up at their website, not a big issue but one that can only benefit them. Good thinking. By the way using the old domain, townofparrysound.com will still take you to the new website.


Resolutions and Direction to Staff
9.3.1 – Tower Hill Heritage Garden. Resolution. That the efforts of the Tower Hill Gardeners that are part of the Civic Beautification committee of the Parry Sound and District Horticultural Society at Tower Hill continue; and That it be resolved that Council approves in principle the plans identified in the report attached as Schedule “A”, to continue to beautify the Tower Hill site, in consultation with and approval from the Director of Public Works. CARRIED.

9.3.4 – RFP Wharf Repairs – Seguin River Parkette. Resolution. That Council accept the proposal from Schlager Excavating in the amount of $21,700.00, taxes extra, for repair of the wharf located at the Seguin River Parkette. CARRIED.

9.3.5 – Gas Tax for Transportation Options. Direction. That Council directs staff to negotiate an agreement with the West Parry Sound District Community Support Services (CSS) for the provision of a specialized transportation service. CARRIED.


By-laws
10.2.1 – Adoption of 2015 Budget By-law. Being a By-law to adopt the Operating and Capital Budget Estimates for the Year 2015. CARRIED.

10.2.2 – Striking tax rates for fiscal year 2015. Being a bylaw to Strike the Tax Rates for Municipal Purposes for the Year 2015. CARRIED.

10.4.1 – Agreement to permit access onto Town lands in the Archipelago to evaluate the properties. Being a By-law to authorize the execution of two agreements for the access and assessment of Town owned lands by Henvey LP. CARRIED.

That’s pretty much all there was. A couple of pieces of equipment were approved for Public Works, they were in the budget, as well as a couple of Consent Agenda items.

Oh the Irony of It All (Parry Sound, Night Crawling)

Redwood189020150403-_DSC9296_DxO