Uxbridge council in brief
Thu May 15, 2008
By: By Jeff Hayward
Bridging a bylawUXBRIDGE -- Heavy trucks will be banned from a road in Leaskdale. Ben Kester, director of public works, said trucks have been using Harrison Drive recently to bypass a bridge on Regional Road 1, south of Regional Road 13. "This has never been a problem in the past, but has become a serious issue as it is impacting the lifespan of Harrison Drive," reads a report from Mr. Kester. Council approved signs notifying truckers of the Harrison Drive ban, and will alert the bylaw department of the matter. Meanwhile, the bridge on Regional Road 1 is scheduled for replacement in 2009. Truckers are expected to use Lakeridge Road to bypass the bridge, said Mr. Kester.Playing musical council chairsUXBRIDGE -- Uxbridge's committee chairperson positions have been shuffled. Under the recommendation of Mayor Bob Shepherd, the heads of various committees have been switched up. "Further to my commitment when taking office in December 2006, I am stepping down as chair of the finance and administration committee," the mayor stated in a report, noting Regional Councillor Howie Herrema is taking his place. Coun. Ted Eng will step in and serve as leader of the public works committee, a position previously held by Coun. Herrema. However, Coun. Herrema will continue to serve as chairman of emergency services, as finance and emergency services have been combined as one committee. Councillors approved the moves during a meeting May 12. Uxbridge making trails, againUXBRIDGE -- A two-day party that marked Uxbridge's 200th anniversary is returning for another round this year. In 2006 the Township, with the help of business groups in town, introduced 'Trails in the Valley' to commemorate Uxbridge's bicentennial. The party is set to return Saturday and Sunday, June 14-15, and will feature a soap box derby, old-fashioned games, historic walking tours, horse and wagon rides, petting zoo and more. The weekend coincides with '100 Years of Anne' celebrations, with Uxbridge celebrating the 100th year of Anne of Green Gables by Lucy Maud Montgomery, who wrote half her novels in Leaskdale. During that weekend, "The town will be decorated in yellow, white, and green bunting and we will be advertising the event extensively," noted Councillor Pat Mikuse in a letter to councillors. "Both days are (centred) around children... we anticipate thousands of children here on both days." Council on May 12 approved road closures for the event. Brock Street, from Main to Spruce streets will be shut down June 14 from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. and from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on June 15. Toronto Street from Albert to Mill streets will be inaccessible to vehicles both days during the same times as the Brock Street closures.Sidewalks requestedUXBRIDGE -- Safety concerns due to lack of sidewalks in some areas of town have been raised by residents. Council on May 12 reviewed two letters to the Township requesting walkways. One request came from Reverend Paul McCarthy of Sacred Heart Church, who pointed out "an awkward and potentially dangerous situation" on a short stretch of road between the intersections of Maple Street/Toronto Street North and Main Street/Toronto Street North. "There is no sidewalk on either side of that bit of road. Pedestrians have the option of trudging through the grass or walking on the road," wrote the reverend. Similar concerns came from Peter and Kathleen Ravitch of Third Avenue North, who noted "in early years we didn't have a lot of traffic coming through (Third Avenue), but since the Barton Farms subdivision went in is has got to be very busy. "For safety reasons we think a sidewalk on either side of the street is essential, as there are so many children walking along the street morning and afternoon to the two schools south of Brock Street." Council will look at both requests in the 2009 budget.