| May 28, 2015


Parking Restrictions Proposed for Sydenham

Public Works Manager Mark Segsworth unveiled a map showing proposed parking restrictions for the village of Sydenham. He said that the current village parking by-law needs to be brought up to date. It presently does not address some of the current conflicts such as; parking on both sides of streets so narrow that traffic is reduced to one-lane, overnight on street parking in the winter and cars parking with two wheels on the sidewalk in front of the bank, post office and High School. Segsworth recommended the next step be a public open house for village residents to view and comment on the proposals. Councillor Schjerning asked whether parking restrictions could be suspended for specific events such as Canada Day and the Bubba Bowl. Segsworth said that although that was a possibility, the first step for events would be to maximize the village potential for off-road parking. There was general agreement that although there were parking concerns in other areas of the Township, it would be best to concentrate on one area at a time.

Waste Diversion Rates

Defining waste diversion as “the process of diverting waste from landfills”, Segsworth listed a number of ways this could be accomplished: blue box recycling, household composting, use of hazardous waste disposal site, bottle deposit returns, e-waste and bale wrap. Waste Diversion Ontario calculates a percentage diversion rate by comparing the weight of diverted matter to the total weight of waste, both garbage and recycling. Presently the Township has only estimates of landfill garbage, so our estimated diversion rates have varied widely from year to year. Segsworth hopes this can be much more accurately calculated once the new weigh scales at Portland waste site come into use. In Storrington district, where all waste weights are available, the diversion rate comes out at 23%. Segsworth added that there is certainly room for improvement in in the Township’s diversion rate.

Multi Year Roads Plan

Segsworth presented a draft five-year roads plan, subdivided into arterial roads, bridges, villages, local roads and local upgrades. He said it was by necessity a ‘living document’, open to change depending on current needs and funding. However, it gives an overall plan to inform councillors faced with questions from residents about specific road issues, and a roads budget plan.

Reduced Road Speeds

A number of requests for road speed reductions have been reviewed using the Council endorsed TAC automatic Speed Limit Guidelines analysis tool. Final speed limit recommendations have been modified in some cases to conform with current speed limits, for roads within villages and to maintain uniformity of road segments. If approved by Council, this will reduce speeds on twenty road segments. Details of recommendations are in the agenda notes for this meeting, on the Township website.

Hartington Brownfields

Segsworth reported that work is progressing well at this task: only the northwest corner of the property still needs more investigation.

Delegation

Lindsay Hunter proposed Council consider a resolution to stop the sale of any part of Hydro One to private interests. Her presentation was unusually clear, focussed and succinct.  

Support local
independant journalism by becoming a patron of the Frontenac News.