Committee Meetings

Tonight is the first of our “non-council” meetings throughout the year.  As I’ve mentioned here before, Milton Town Council is divided up into two standing committees (Community Services Standing Committee & Administration and Planning Standing Committee)  Half of council is on one and the other half is on the second with the Mayor sitting on both.  The Community Services Standing Committee consists of Regional Councillor Tony Lambert ( Wards 1, 6, 7 8 ) Local Councillors Greg Nelson (Ward 2), Local Councillor Rick Malboeuf (Ward 4), Local Councillor Arnold Huffman (Ward 5), Local Councillor Rick DiLorenzo (Ward7) and Mayor Gord Krantz.

The Community Services Standing Committee consists of the five Councillors and Mayor. Committee members review all reports, formulate policy and make recommendations to Council on matters over which Council has authority under the Municipal Act. These matters are related to Community Services, Fire, Library, Transit and other operational programs.

Our first meeting of the Community Services Standing Committee is tonight at town hall (7pm) and while I don’t sit on that committee, we do attend these meetings without a vote.  Council members are not required to be there but the standing tradition is that they attend when possible to provide any additional information and feedback from the community that other councillors might not have.

The agenda for tonights meeting is here.

One of the items on tonight’s agenda is the by-law to be passed regarding the 4th Line / Britannia Road intersection closure slated for March to April of 2011.  You can find the report here.

Some of the questions Ive received over the past couple of weeks that I had my posting on the blog was to find out if the traffic lights set for Britannia Road (during the closure, Britannia Road will be reduced to one lane instead of two) and if the temporary lights will be unmanned and / or timers set to accommodate morning/afternoon rush hour traffic.

I received an email from Joe Proietti at the Region of Halton who assured me the lights will be unmanned but set up on timers and those timers will be set to recognize the increased amount of east / west traffic through the mornings and afternoons on Britannia Road.  This isn’t the most ideal situation and hopefully the Region of Halton will complete their work as soon as possible during this time.

Its imperative that the traffic flow along Britannia Road not be hindered during this time as it just adds to confusion and frustration of drivers looking to leave and enter Milton during the day.

I’ll keep you posted during the meeting via Twitter for any other updates.  Thanks to everyone who sent me emails about this.

How To Reach Your Councillor

I’ve had a few emails from people outside ward six wanting to know how they can contact their elected representatives.  You can go to www.milton.ca for that information in the Mayor & Council section.  It has the contact info of every member of council, along with a picture for reference. 🙂

Elected Official Contact Information
Mayor Gord Krantz Mayor and Regional Councillor
Gordon Krantz
Town of Milton – Mayor’s office
150 Mary Street
Milton, ON L9T 6Z5
Email: Executive Services
Home: 905-878-9423
Bus: 905-878-7252, ext 2104
Fax: 905-878-5927
Local & Regional Councillor

VACANT

Wards 1,6,7,8

Email:

Web:

Cell:

Local and Regional Councillor Colin Best Local & Regional Councillor
Colin Best
Wards 2,3,4,5
Email: Colin.Best (colin.best@milton.ca)

Twitter:  @Colin1Best

Web: www.colinbest.ca

Home: 905-878-3623

Councillor Sharon Barkley Local Councillor
Sharon Barkley
Ward 1
Email: sharon@sharonbarkley.ca

Web:  www.sharonbarkley.ca

MAP:  Ward One

Home: 905-466-1642

Councillor Greg Nelson Local Councillor
Greg Nelson
Ward 2
Email: Greg.Nelson (greg.nelson@milton.ca)

Web:  www.gowithgreg.ca

MAP:  Ward Two

Phone: 905-864-9860

Councillor Cindy Lunau Local Councillor
Cindy Lunau
Ward 3
Email: Cindy.Lunau (cindy.lunau@milton.ca)

Web:  www.cindylunau.ca

MAP:  Ward Three

Home: 519-853-3772

Councillor Rick Malboeuf Local Councillor
Rick Malboeuf
Ward 4
Email: Rick.Malboeuf (rick.malboeuf@milton.ca)

MAP:  Ward Four

Work: 905-875-5019

Fax: 1-866-259-2753

Councillor Arnold Huffman Local Councillor
Arnold Huffman
Ward 5
Email: Arnold.Huffman (arnold.huffman@milton.ca)

Web:  www.arnoldhuffman.ca

MAP:  Ward Five

Home: 905-864-6476

Councillor Mike Cluett Local Councillor
Mike Cluett
Ward 6
Email: Mike.Cluett (mike.cluett@milton.ca)

Web:  www.mikecluett.ca

Twitter:  @Mike_Cluett

MAP:  Ward Six

Home: 905-878-1327

Cell: 647-888-9032

Councillor Rick Di Lorenzo Local Councillor
Rick Di Lorenzo
Ward 7
Email: rick@dilorenzo.com

Web:  www.hawthornevillager.com

Twitter:  @RickDiLorenzo

MAP:  Ward Seven

Home: 905-864-4053

Cell: 416-821-1219

Councillor Zeeshan Hamid Local Councillor
Zeeshan Hamid
Ward 8
Email: mail@zhamid.ca

Web:  www.zhamid.ca

Twitter:  @Zeeshan_Hamid

MAP:  Ward Eight

Cell: 416-823-6993

Feedback About 1% Tax Levy

From The Milton Canadian Champion – Letters to the Editor

Hospital levy should be rescinded; taxpayers engaged in discussion

Dear Editor:I read with interest the article in the January 20 Champion entitled ‘Hospital levy increases tax hike by 1%.’

Reporter Christina Commisso wrote that in a 6-5 vote Milton council approved a 3.58 per cent tax increase, plus an unprecedented 1 per cent tax surcharge to help fund the possible future expansion of Milton District Hospital.

Any 6-5 decision is a bad decision, and this one is no exception.

It’s little wonder that Mayor Gord Krantz and councillors Mike Cluett, Tony Lambert, Greg Nelson and Rick Malboeuf didn’t support the 2011 budget. The 4.58 per cent tax hike is more than twice the 2 per cent inflation rate estimated for 2011 by the Bank of Canada. The 2010 inflation rate was 1.7 per cent.

Worse, monies will be set aside for a hospital expansion that isn’t even in the Province of Ontario’s current health infrastructure plan.

Our community’s ability to absorb a 3.58 per cent tax hike, let alone a 4.58 per cent tax increase with a hospital surcharge, is doubtful.

We’re in tough economic times and seniors on fixed incomes, young families with mortgages and local manufacturers and retailers that create jobs and drive municipal assessment revenues are all at risk.

Very few will see business revenues or personal incomes rise 3.58 or 4.58 per cent this year.

A re-do is in order.

Re-open the operating budget and reduce it to inflationary levels.

It’s time to rescind the unprecedented hospital surcharge and engage taxpayers in an open discussion about its future.

Council should also request Queen’s Park to immediately include the hospital expansion in its health infrastructure planning and require  it be funded through a public-private partnership, rather than using municipal property taxes.

John Challinor, Milton

Also…

Hospital tax levy tough to swallow

Dear Editor:This letter is in response to the 1 per cent tax levy approved by council for the hospital expansion.

At the time of planning for growth, where on the list of priorities was the expansion of Milton District Hospital? This should have been a top priority. How is the hospital supposed to cope with this new growth?

We already pay taxes to the Province for hospitals. Could money the Town gets from the Mohawk slots not go toward the hospital fund?

To me, there has been some poor planning shown by our governments.

Cecilia Thorpe, Milton

Milton Police Blotter – February 3 2011

From the Milton Canadian Champion

Trucks, wire stolen

Between 7:45 a.m. and 5:26 p.m. Monday, the Hydro One site was broken into by thieves who climbed the firm’s Lower Baseline fence.

F250 pick-up truck with 2366 RW plates and a Ford Ecoline truck with 161 MF plates were taken.  Also stolen was about 1,000 pounds of copper wire.  The estimated value of the property is $40,000.

 Wire stolen from scrapyard

 Overnight Sunday, 43,000 pounds of copper wire was taken from a First Line scrap recycling site.  The estimated value of the goods is $5,000.

Man charged in break-in

The Rock Universe shop on Main Street was broken into Saturday at 11:45 p.m.  The front door was smashed.  Loose change was stolen.

Later in the evening, a man was arrested by plain-clothes officers in the area and charged with break and enter and breach of probation.

House broken into

A home on Nassagaweya Puslinch Town Line was broken into sometime between 4 p.m. Friday and 11 a.m. Saturday.  Entry was gained by forcing open the door to the home, which was under construction.

Stolen was 50 to 60 pounds of copper wire worth an estimated $225.   

Cars broken into

Between 8 a.m. and 6:40 p.m. Tuesday, three cars were broken into at Glen Eden Ski and Snowboard Centre on Kelso Road.  In the first incident a wallet was stolen containing identification.

The second break-in resulted in a wallet containing ID and credit cards being taken.  In the third incident, a purse containing ID was stolen.

Police are investigating.

UPDATE Snow Storm Info

UPDATE 4:50PM WHAT IS OPEN TOMORROW – From the Town of Milton

Facilities, Recreation and Rentals During Winter Storm: Feb 2nd

All Town of Milton facilities will be open for business as usual on February 2, 2011. For specific inquiries about the status of program cancellations or rentals due to the winter storm, please call the Milton Leisure Centre at 905-878-7946, Milton Sports Centre/Memorial Arena/John Tonelli Sports Centre at 905-878-7252, ext. 2601, Milton Seniors’ Activity Centre at 905-875-1681 or Town Hall at 905-878-7211. The Town of Milton’s Staff Inclement Weather Policy will take effect should the snow event limit municipal services at Town facilities. Please visit www.milton.ca again for further updates.

From the Region of Halton

Winter Storms – Emergency Preparedness

What to do during a Winter Storm

  • When a winter storm watch is in effect, listen to the radio or television for information or instructions. When a winter storm hits, stay indoors and make sure you have enough heating fuel.
  • During winter storms, icy roads challenge even the most experienced drivers.  If you must travel during a winter storm, do so during the day and let someone know your route and expected arrival time. Where possible, stay on cleared routes. More about Driving in the Winter.
  • Power outages are often caused by winter storms which damage power lines and equipment. During a power outage, you may be left without heating, lighting, water, or phone. You can greatly lessen the impact of a power outage by taking the time to prepare in advance. You and your family should have a Family Emergency Survival Kit to cope on your own during a power outage for at least 72 hours.    
  • Farmers should take the necessary precautions to safeguard animals and livestock.
  • If you must go outside, dress for the weather.
  • If you must travel during a snowstorm, do so during the day and let someone know your route and arrival time.

Recognizing cold-related injuries

  • The risk of cold-related injury varies depending on:
    • the temperature
    • wind speed
    • length of time outdoors
    • age
    • physical conditions
    • whether clothing is wet or dry
  • Frostbite, or the freezing of body tissue exposed to the cold, is a common cold-related injury and has a numbing effect so you may not be aware you are frostbitten.

Warning signs include

  • A stinging or aching feeling, followed by numbness.
  • Skin that feels waxy and cold; and skin that turns red, then gray, white, yellow or blue.

How to treat frostbite

  • Move the person to a warm place and call for professional emergency medical help.
  • Don’t let the person walk if his or her feet are frostbitten.
  • Handle the frostbitten area gently; never rub it. Wait for professional emergency medical help to arrive.
  • Do not try to rewarm the frostbitten area.

How to treat hypothermia

  • Gently move the person to a warm place and immediately call for professional emergency medical help.
  • Remove the person’s wet clothing. Slowly warm the person by wrapping them in blankets or putting on dry clothing. If the person is conscious, offer a warm, non-alcoholic drink and avoid caffeine.
  • Hypothermia occurs when your body loses heat faster than it can produce it. Heat loss occurs more rapidly when you are wet. Warning signs of hypothermia include increased shivering, slurred speech, impaired judgement, and poor muscle coordination.

UPDATE 4:17pm PARKING CONSIDERATIONS SUSPENDED DUE TO INCLEMENT WEATHER

From the Town of Milton websiteDue to inclement weather conditions forecasted for the next few days, parking considerations have been suspended until further notice. Please remember to Allow the Plow and keep streets clear of parked cars for snow clearing operations.

Who said winter was over eh?  You would have to be hidden under a rock, or on vacation in some exotic country NOT to know there is apparently a pretty big storm heading our way in the next 2 days.  From Environment Canada…15-30 cm of snow in the nexxt 48 hours.

This begs the obvious question…are my kids going to have a snow day (or am I going to have a snow day) 🙂

All indications show this will hit us pretty hard every precaution needs to be taken.  Stay tuned to the stations listed below on radio & TV to find out if the schools are closed for the day, if the school buses are running and any other emergency information you might need.  If you need to drive, please drive carefully and if you dont need to be on the roads, stay at home.

As for our area, a reminder to everyone that plows will be out as soon as possible and to drive with care.  If at all possible do not leave your vehicle parked on the road so the plows can get through as easily as possible.

From the Milton Canadian Champion

On the buses (or not?).

Due to the current weather forecast, the two Halton school boards are reminding parents and staff of the bus cancellations and school closure procedures relating to inclement weather.

In the event of inclement weather, the Halton District School Board Director of Education, in consultation with the Director of Education of the Halton Catholic District School Board, consult with the Halton Student Transportation Services to determine whether to cancel school transportation and/or close schools. This decision is made prior to 6 a.m. and communicated by 6:30 a.m.

The decision to cancel buses and/or close schools is communicated by the following methods: 

AM Radio Stations: CFRB (1010 AM), CJOY (1460 AM), CHML (900 AM), CKOC (ll50 AM), CHWO (740 AM), CFTR (680 AM).

FM Radio Stations: CHFI (98.1 FM), WAVE (94.7 FM), Y108 (l07.9 FM),~CING (95.3 FM), CKFM Virgin Radio (99.9), KLITE (102.9 FM), CBC (99.1 FM), CIMJ (106.1 FM), CHBM Boom (97.3 FM), Classical (96.3 FM).

Television Stations: CHCH TV Morning Show; CITY TV (Breakfast Television)

Websites: www.haltonbus.ca or www.hdsb.ca

Switchboard: A message will be provided through the Halton District School Board’s main telephone number- 905 335-3665. Please follow the prompts to access school bus information. A message is also recorded on the Catholic Board’s main telephone number: 905-632-6300.

Home Notification System: An automated email or telephone message will be sent to notify parents/guardians of school closures only (not transportation cancellations). Only parents who have opted for this service will receive the message.

4th Line & Britannia Road Closure Update

In a letter that has been sent from the Region of Halton to area residents today, I wanted to post this information on my blog for people outside the affected zone.

It says that the intersection of 4th Line and Britannia Road is slated to be closed off to area residents for approximately 2 months starting March 1st, 2011 to April 29th, 2011 to complete the construction of the watermain and valve chamber.  This closure is for safety reasons.

The east / west traffic along Britannia Road at this intersection will be reduced to a SINGLE LANE and controlled by automated Traffic Control Signals on a 24 hour basis, 7 days a week while construction work is being done in the immediate area.

On February 7th, the Milton Community Services Standing Committee will give consideration for this by-law and if you would like to make a presentation to that committee please contact the clerks office in writing by no later than 10AM on February 7th.  You can contact the town clerk by going to www.milton.ca or send me an email mike.cluett@milton.ca and I can give you more details.

Click on the link to read the letter in full.