AGM Minutes

BEAVER VALLEY RATEPAYERS ASSOCIATION

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

March 20, 2010

MINUTES

1. Opening Remarks/Call to Order. The meeting was chaired by BVRA member Keith Ellison. The chair announced that the attendance and the proxies received constitute a viable meeting.
2. The guest speaker, David Fawcett, Deputy Mayor of Grey Highlands provided a summary of issues at both the County and Municipal levels of government.

County: The CAO, Gary Wood has retired. His replacement is Lance Thurston from Kingston with a background in social services and housing. Gary Shaw (transportation and safety) is retiring. Budget has been a difficult process. Lower tiers are recieving cutbacks. Came in with a slight decrease of a quarter of a percent. County Road #32 to receive some “spot fills”; #31 was re-surfaced last year and re-negotiated with contractor who picked up 65% of cost. There are still some necessary repairs to this road. Bowles Bluff mirror was stolen. A replacement has been ordered at ~$1200-$1300.00

Municipality: Dan Best is the new CAO with a background in municipal affairs and housing at the provincial level. Transfer funding from the province has decreased by $400,000.00 which could translate to a 9% increase in taxes. Police contract is being re-negotiated at a possible 7% increase. Budget targets are aiming to increase by only 10%. Council does not want to cut the “roads budget”. Dollar reserves are diminished, which is worrisome. Funding received for projects: Flesherton Library, Flesherton Kineplex, Markdale Arena complex. Chapmans are re-building and want to have it completed by late fall. There are issues of water pressure. Bowles Bluff Road is breaking up, especially at south end. It is on the capital projects list since last year, but needs improvements this year. Issues such as one way road, cul-de-sac, or money from developer still to be resolved.

Planning Issues: A signed subdivision exists for Beaver Valley Woodlands, but no securities have been received, therefore no building permits issued. Just recently securities were posted on work that must be completed. The non-developed portion of the subdivision land must be turned over to the municipality before building permits are issued. Municipality is firm on the requirements. Four lots approved at BVSC. Have had to comply with zoning/by-law amendments required by County. Approval is likely in the short term.

Beaver Valley Village: A public meeting was held in August 2008. The developer has sent required reports to County and Municipality. Correspondence is ongoing. Council will not oppose or confirm the development, because of implications for a potential OMB hearing. Peer Reviews are at the expense of the applicant. BVRA members are encouraged to continue to make statements. In the developer’s opinion, the application of 45 lots meets the density requirements of the municipality. The proposed Tim Horton’s in Markdale has had a second public meeting. There are still location, traffic, and safety issues. Future wind turbine locations are a possibility at Maxwell and Feversham. The province has taken over the planning process.

Waste diversion is problematic for Grey Highlands. There are 3 landfill sites, which have a maximum life of 13-15 years. G.H is “way behind”. There are many changes/decisions ahead.

3. Approval of Minutes of 2009 as circulated. M. B. Smart Sec. R. Booth Passed
4. Treasurer’s Report: A.Ellison. Webcosts higher than previous years due to restoration of the site. Have changed our bank plan from a professional/business account ($11.95/mo) to community plan ($1.95mo). There is minimal use of the account for 6-8 mos., and TD. recognized the community nature of the role of a ratepayers association. M. J. Carrie Sec. D. Jarrett Passed
5. Update: Proposed Beaver Valley Village Subdivision C. Little.
6. According to the AEMOT Groundwater Study Plan, this area is possibly one of the most sensitive in the province. The PPS states that for settlement areas, full municipal servicing is the most preferred model. Peer reviewers have raised concerns with the methodology of testing and analysis. The most recent reports indicate some common ground between the GH reviewer and the applicant’s hydrogeologist, but less so between the County reviewer and the applicants’ agents, particularly the karst specialist. In Dec. 2009 the County reviewer comments that incomplete data and inconsistencies fail to support conclusions about the site hydrogeology and the influence of the karst on the hydrogeology of the aquifer beneath the development site. He recommends additional testing, a pre-construction survey to document existing problems with downgradient wells, and provide baseline data for claims that may arise as construction proceeds. He suggests a water well contingency plan be put in place to identify the steps to follow, in the event a claim is made. He also calls for a phasing of development and a monitoring program at selected wells downgradient to be completed during and after each phase of development

The reviewer for the applicant disagrees with the need for additional testing. The original karst study drew conclusions based entirely on observation. Since the, measurements were taken on one day at the spring in Bowles Gully, but no other testing has been undertaken.

There is a complete lack of consideration and communication with residents on the part of the proponent’s hydrogeologist. He recommends surveying residents within 200 m. of the site. This is ridiculously inadequate.

The BVRA has sought the advice of an independent hydrogeologist who concurs with the peer reviewers. To date, the process is painfully slow, but it is working. It will depend on what the planners do with the information.

The process of proceeding to the OMB was discussed and may require additional funding.

The BVRA will continue to monitor, and strategize to insure that we have input into the conditions of the draft plan approval.

6. New Business:  none
7. Election of Directors: Slate of Nominations was put forth. 

Drew-Brook, Geoffrey

Ellison, Anne

Little Cathy

O’Neill, Ed

          M. Bob Smart to accept the slate Sec. J. Carrie Passed

          Recognition was noted for the work/input of Don McGee, Ernie Glozier, and Lou

          Saunders.

8. Adjournment: M. T. Armstrong

 Sec. S. Ewing