Publications
Spring 2006 Ward 2 Newsletter
date posted: 2006-04-01
Hello – Spring has definitely arrived; the flowers are in bloom, the grass is green again, and the street sweepers are out – what more could we ask for?
I am pleased to once again report to residents of Ward 2 on activities and news of interest to you.
Seniors Tax Grant
I am very proud that Council supported my request to assist seniors who own their homes in Richmond Hill. As part of this year’s Budget Committee recommendations (for which I am the Chair) Council has doubled the annual grant available for seniors who qualify for municipal tax assistance from $100.00 to $200.00 per year. This increase is the first in twenty years and it is Council’s hope that seniors who are on fixed incomes will find the municipal tax burden just a little less onerous. For information on whether or not you qualify, please call the Revenue Division at 905-771- 8949.
Waste Management
In response to clear feedback that residents want to recycle more and send less garbage to landfill sites in Michigan and Quebec, Council has approved a timetable to change our waste collection procedures.
There are several significant changes on the way. These include:
- Weekly blue box collection begins on September 12, 2006;
- The number of items to be picked up at each home will be reduced on September 12. The new weekly limit will change to four bags/items per week from the present limit of five;
- The new green bin program will begin on April 3, 2007. The green bin will accept food waste, pet waste, diapers, meats, and bones for composting. Green bin containers will be provided to all homes at no charge;
- Dry garbage collection will then change to every other week and the number of bags allowed will remain at four; and Additional items of garbage will be collected if affixed with a garbage tag which can be purchased for $2.00.
The Town will be conducting an extensive information program in advance of these changes. Waste management newsletters, advertising in local newspapers, and the new calendar will update residents of the changes. It is up to every one of us to reduce, re-use, and recycle to help meet the goal of diverting 60% of our waste from landfill sites by 2008.
Residents’ Meetings
I would like to invite all residents to the following sessions:
Seniors’ Meetings
| May 24th | 71/75 Dunlop Street, 9:30am to 11am |
| May 24th | 76/78 Dunlop Street, 11:30am to 1pm |
| May 24th | 125 Pugsley Avenue, 2:30pm to 4pm |
Information Session—New School—Shirley Drive
| May 29th | Rouge Woods Community Centre, Beech Room, 7pm to 9pm |
Meet Your Councillor—Open House
| May 31st | Elgin Barrow Arena, Richmond Hill Room, 43 Church Street South, 7pm to 9pm |
Town-Wide Intensification Study
In response to the direction from the Province, Council has directed staff to prepare a study which identifies areas of the Town where intensification should take place. This can occur in the form of townhouses, low rise apartments, and high rise buildings.
The draft report is now at the public consultation stage and presentations will be held over the coming weeks to show the public the possible areas for future intensification and to receive public feedback. Of interest to Ward 2 residents will be meetings which will be held on:
| June 8th | Elgin Barrow Arena, Richmond Hill Room, 43 Church Street South, 7pm to 9pm |
This meeting is being hosted by the Downtown Task Force and will be of particular interest to residents in the village core.
| June 13th | Rouge Woods Community Centre, Aspen Room, 110 Shirley Drive, 7pm to 9pm |
Gamma Foundries
Despite repeated attempts to obtain information from the Ministry of the Environment on this long-standing issue, I can only advise that they (MOE) are still reviewing engineering solutions proposed by Gamma to control odors and emissions. Nearby residents will know that Gamma continues to negatively affect their enjoyment of their own backyards. This situation continues to frustrate all of us as MOE has not responded to repeated requests for action. I urge everyone to continue to report complaints to Mr. Dave Fumerton of the MOE at 905-427-5626.
Unity Park
In response to concerns of nearby residents to certain activities of youth in the rear of Unity Park, I consulted with both our Parks staff as well as the York Regional Police. The suggestion to relocate the basketball courts from the rear of the park was a good one and Council supported my request to do this during budget deliberations.
The basketball nets will be moved to a more visible location close to Pugsley Avenue. This will discourage undesirable activities and still provide the recreational outlet young people desire.
In Closing...
As always, I am in my office most days and try to return all calls promptly. I can be reached by telephone at, 905-771- 2535, or by email, awarner@richmondhill.ca, or for general information, visit my website at www.arniewarner.on.ca.
Thank you for taking the time to read my newsletter. Have a great summer!
Regards,
A.A. (Arnie) Warner, Ward 2 Councillor