region of halton

UPDATE Snow Storm Info

Mike Cluett

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 website:  Due 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

Mike Cluett

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.

Region Of Halton Approves 1.4% Increase

Mike Cluett

Again from Kim Arnott

Region settles on 1.4% tax hike

In a budget that will see close to $1 billion spent on infrastructure, programs, services, regional staff and police, Halton’s council was hung up on about $190,000.That amount represented the difference between capping Regional staff pay increases at 2.25 per cent, which was the amount decided upon during Monday’s budget deliberations, or at 2 per cent, which some councillors deemed would bring public sector wages further in line with those in the private sector.

“I think that the public is looking for us to show some leadership and keep in line with the private sector,” said Halton Hills Councillor Jane Fogal Monday.

Fogal introduced the motion after the defeat of a similar motion from Burlington councillor Jack Dennison that would have seen pay increases capped at 1.9 per cent.

“Is it a lot of money, no. But we have to do something different. Public sector salaries have gotten out of line with the private sector,” said Dennison.

Fellow Burlington Councillor Paul Sharman supported the motion, citing an imbalance in private and public sector wages and increasing poverty rates in Halton.

However, the majority around the council table were satisfied with the cap.

“This isn’t a negotiation. We’re not setting numbers in stone,” said Oakville Councillor Jeff Knoll. “We’re stuck at a $191,000 decision and who are we putting this on the shoulders of — our staff. It sets a tone.”

Following a half-hour in-camera session, council reconvened and the motion to decrease the cap to 2 per cent was defeated 15-6.

However, there was no divide when it came down to the approval of the Region’s 2011 budget, which was unanimously passed during Wednesday’s meeting.

Halton’s 2011 operating budget will see more than $700 million spent on costs, including police services and regional staff, and the capital budget totals more than $200 million.

While the Regional services budget represents a 0.2 per cent decrease from last year, the rising costs of policing and water and wastewater rates have offset that tax cut.

When combined with the 4.4 per cent increase in the Halton Regional Police Service budget, taxpayers will see an increase of 1.4 per cent on the total Regional property tax bill. For a household assessed at $350,000, their 2011 taxes will increase about $19 over last year.

The approved rate-supported water and wastewater budget for 2011 sees an increase of 4.1 per cent. For a typical household using 300 cubic metres of water a year, this equals an increase of about $31 over 2010 levels.

—with files from Kim Arnott, special

Halton Region to Vote on 1.3 % Tax Increase Today

Mike Cluett

From Kim Arnott at the Oakville Beaver 

Halton Region to vote on 1.3 per cent tax increase

While Halton’s police officers will receive a 3.1 per cent salary increase this year, the remainder of the region’s staff could see their pay increases limited to 2.25 per cent.The region’s budget committee set the upward limit on union settlements and non-union pay-for-performance increases on Monday, as it finalized a 2011 budget recommendation that features a 1.3 per cent tax increase.

“I think that the public is looking for us to show some leadership and keep in line with the private sector,” said Halton Hills councillor Jane Fogal.

Fogal introduced the motion after the defeat of a similar motion from Burlington councillor Jack Dennison that would have seen pay increases capped at 1.9 per cent.

Dennison argued that the lower cap was reasonable because the region is a desirable place to work, and past arbitration decisions have often awarded pay increases in that range.

While the vote on capping pay increases took place publicly, councillors went into closed session for about 45 minutes beforehand to discuss the salary issue.

Although Burlington councillor John Taylor questioned the need to discuss the issue privately, Halton region CAO Pat Moyle urged the move into closed session, noting that the region will soon begin negotiating collective agreements with seven employee groups.

The decision to adopt the cap on salary increases resulted in a 0.2 per cent tax decrease on all regional services except policing. While the average taxpayer will have to fork over about $20 more this year, that extra money will pay for additional policing costs.

Earlier in the budget process, councillors questioned $2.4 million in wage and benefit increases that helped drive up the Halton police budget by 6.9 per cent this year. Although the region has the responsibility for collecting taxes for policing, it has no say in the police budget, which is approved independently by the police services board.

The most recent collective bargaining agreement with police spread out a 9.2 per cent wage increase over three years.

However, regional chair Gary Carr says he is pleased with the budget and proud of what he describes as “without a doubt, the best record on taxes across the country.”

Pointing to four years of near tax freezes at the regional level, Carr credits the philosophy of ensuring growth pays for itself through development charges. He says that has allowed the region to almost triple the amount of money it spends on transportation projects without passing along costs to taxpayers.

However, the region has also been helped by the phase-out of GTA pooling to contribute to Toronto’s social services costs. For 2011, the savings for Halton amounted to $5.8 million.

And while this year’s tax hit might be light, residents will see water and wastewater rates – paid through local hydro companies – increase by 4.1 per cent in 2011. For the average household, the increase means homeowners will pay $798 a year, up from $767 last year.

The budget will be considered by the full regional council on Wednesday (today).

Molson To Move Beer Vats This Weekend

Mike Cluett

There has been some talk recently about Molson transporting 6 very large vats through the area towards their Toronto location.  This will be happening on the weekend.

The transportation will start on January 7th in Hamilton and end up at Carlingview Drive by Tuesday January 12th.  There will be some disruption to traffic in Milton over the course of the trip (Hwy 25 from Oakville to Derry Road to Trafalgar Road to Steeles Ave towards Winston Churchill Blvd)

I have scanned in the schedule for you to look at.  They project “minimal” disruption to traffic in our area between 9PM on Friday January 7th and 6AM on Saturday January 8th or 9PM Saturday January 8th to 6AM Sunday January 9th.

Its quite the large container that will be transported and it wont be moving fast.  Be careful when driving around theses areas and be safe.  Here is a link to Halton Police’s news release as well.

Here is the article from InsideHalton.com

Beer vat move is on again

They’re going to give it one more try.

Challenger Motor Freight Co. is planning once again to transport six massive beer vats from Hamilton Port Authority to Molson Coors Brewery near Toronto airport this weekend. So drivers could face major traffic delays on area roads as the six oversized tanks are moved along area roads.

Tomorrow (Friday) the company plans to begin moving the beer vats that each hold a million bottles of beer from Hamilton to Burlington, then beginning Saturday night about 9 p.m. the vats are to travel along Dundas to Regional Rd. 25 north to Derry Rd. to Trafalgar Rd. then north to Steeles Ave. in Halton Hills.

The convoy will park on Steeles Ave. near Mississauga Rd. for the day Sunday, then carry on over the following two nights into Toronto and the brewery.

Last month the company planned the move and put it off four times due to weather or mechanical difficulties.
 

Being Progressive Gets Things Done: Mayor Krantz

Mike Cluett

Here is a recent interview with Mayor Gord Krantz that was published in todays Milton Canadian Champion by Christina Commisso.

Push for education village funding high on mayor’s 2011 to-do list

A lot has changed at Milton’s Town Hall over the last couple of months.

The number of town wards grew from four to eight and six newly-elected councillors took their seats in Council Chambers.

But little has changed in the spacious office occupied by Mayor Gord Krantz in the historic old Town Hall. Overlooking the snowy Victoria Park, 30 years worth of memories fill the walls of the mayor’s office.

Looking forward to his 31st year at the helm of council, Krantz recently sat down with the Champion to reflect on this past year, and discuss what residents can expect in 2011.

In terms of taxes, Krantz echoed the same sentiment time and time again — he won’t support any tax increase above the rate of inflation. In other words, nothing more than 2.5 to 3 per cent.

“A lot of municipalities would kill to be in the position we’re in,” said Krantz, referring the town’s tax rate — the second lowest in the GTA. “That’s what’s attractive to businesses. When private enterprises look to come here, they have a shopping list of requirements and they want to know the town is run well.”

Krantz said the favourable tax rates have kept Milton’s commercial, industrial and residential balance intact, something he’s determined to continue for this term.

However, he does acknowledge the price to run a municipality has increased above the rate of inflation this past year. “The cost of gas, the cost of asphalt, the cost of electricity, they’ve all increased three times the rate of inflation.”

While the long-time Mayor doesn’t advocate cutting services, he said by separating wants and needs, a balanced budget can be achieved. Yet, 2011 will see the opening of costly capital projects — the new arts and entertainment centre, the new main library and the Milton sports centre expansion, just to name a few.

“The new arts centre is a want and a need,” said Krantz, of the $39.3 million project.

A recent report shows operating the building will cost about $1.25 million a year and is expected to generate revenues of $380,500.

“We had to take advantage of the federal and provincial stimulus funding,” said Krantz, adding that without the government funding, the arts centre may have been put on hold for another four to five years.

“It made all the sense in the world to take advantage of that,” he said of the $33.58 million in funding.

In both the budget call report presented to council in August and a 10-year budget forecast presented in December, staff have concluded that revenues of growth won’t fully cover the cost of growth.

“The idea that growth should pay for itself can’t be proven to a reasonable doubt,” said Krantz. “The older community will pay for a bit of the growth and they’re going to use the facilities that the town wouldn’t have had if the growth didn’t happen. The older part of any community pays for a certain portion of new development.”

In terms of operating costs, Krantz said the opening of these facilities will take its toll on the budget. “The arts and entertainment centre and library will never completely pay for itself, but it will get close.”

While he doesn’t expect to see new development take place on the Milton Education Village any time soon, Krantz said high on his 2011 priority list is pushing for funding for the future campus.

The Town has been in talks with Wilfred Laurier University and Sheridan College about opening a Milton campus and earlier this year the Town took possession of the campus lands in Milton’s west end. “It’s important to be progressive and aggressive. That’s how things get done,” said Krantz.

With the development plans for the Boyne survey and Derry Green Business Park off to the Region for approval, Milton’s population is again expected to grow over the next four years — and it won’t happen without growing pains.

Referring to the Main Street and Derry Road underpasses, set to begin construction in 2011 and 2012 respectively, Krantz said he expects to see “a bit of bottleneck.”

He said ideally, developers would front the money to get roadwork done before families move into town, “but developers are not obligated to do that.”

“Often we get the money to build roads a year or two after the homes come in, and that’s where the frustration lies…It’s hard to suggest, but residents are going to have to grin and bear it. Hindsight is great, but there are economic realities to consider.”