Notes from the regular meeting, which was held on Wednesday, December 4, 2024.
Community Services monthly report for November
The report, prepared by Trevor Baer, the Township’s Director of Community Services, provided the following updates regarding the activities of the Community Services Department:
- Co-op Student Collaboration with Conestoga College
The Township of Blandford-Blenheim will be teaming up with Conestoga College to offer a co-op placement within the recreation program.
The student will gain experience across various areas of the Community Services Department and duties will include:: helping to prepare and present reports to Council, performing tasks typical of an Operator, developing and organizing a new recreational program, supporting financial planning and budgeting, and participating in both administrative and operational activities. This collaboration is set to provide the student with industry experience while also strengthening the department’s operations during the placement.
“We’re looking at getting a co-op student who will work on the front line and do administration work, do some programming, budgeting and a little bit of everything that Community Services does,” said Baer.
The department will begin meeting with potential students in the coming weeks.
- Plattsville Playground Project
Baer told Council that the Plattsville Playground Project was officially completed as of Friday, November 29, 2024.
The project was initiated to create an inclusive recreational space with the accessible features appropriate for community members.
“The playground project has been completed. …There’s a little bit of cleanup yet, which our staff will do around the area,” said Baer. “There were four pieces of new equipment put in with accessible playground flooring put in as well.”
He added that the department is still organizing an official opening ceremony with the Trillium Foundation, but will update the Council when a date is in place.
Mark Peterson, Mayor for the Township of Blandford-Blenheim, later said that he was impressed with the work that has been done, and thanked Baer and the rest of his team for their work on the project.
“I had a chance to look and walk on it [the new flooring], and it’s absolutely amazing,” said Peterson. “I’m glad we got rid of those pea stones …it’s really absolutely amazing how soft it is to walk on it, and to be able to have the accessibility part of it is fantastic; I think it’s something we need to have in all our communities going forward.”
- Princeton Playground Project
Baer told councillors that after several meetings with the Princeton Playground construction companies, work for the Princeton Playground project is set to begin on Monday, December 16, 2024.
He said that as far as the playground’s flooring, staff are hoping to get the work started this year, but everything will depend on the weather and what’s happening outside.
- Purple Bench Unveiling
The Township unveiled the first Purple Bench in Drumbo Park on Wednesday, November 20, 2024.
The bench, which features a plaque with contact information for resources and services, looks to raise awareness about domestic violence and support survivors.
“We unveiled the Purple Bench project [last month],” said Baer. “DART [Domestic Assault Review Team] staff commented afterwards how good it was, and it was received really well by the community. Thanks to the Council for getting that project started.”
To read the Brant Beacon’s coverage about the unveiling of the Purple Bench, please visit: https://www.brantbeacon.ca/blandford-blenheim-first-to-unveil-purple-bench-campaign/
- Community Christmas Events
Several holiday events have been going on throughout the community including: Bright’s parade on Saturday, December 7, and Plattsville’s parade also on December 7.
The next two events are as follows:
- Santa Clause meet and greet at Princeton Hall on Saturday, December 14, 2024, from 11:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.; and
- Santa Drive in Drumbo on Friday, December 20, 2024 at 5:30 p.m. To end at Lions Parkette at the gazebo around 6:30 p.m.
- Arena Activities
Baer told councillors about eight free public skating sessions taking place at the Plattsville Arena during the holiday season.
Dates and times are as follows:
- Sunday, December 22, from 4:00 to 5:00 p.m.
- Monday, December 23, from 5:00 to 6:00 p.m.
- Tuesday, December 24, from noon to 1:00 p.m.
- Friday, December 27, from 5:00 to 6:00 p.m.
- Sunday, December 29, from 4:00 to 5:00 p.m.
- Tuesday, December 31, from 2:00 to 3:00 p.m.
- Friday, January 3, from 1:00 to 2:30 p.m.; and
- Sunday, January 5, from 4:00 to 5:00 p.m.
Public Works monthly report for November
Josh Brick, CAO for the Township of Blandford-Blenheim, gave a brief overview of Jim Borton’s, the Township’s Director of Public Works, report for the month of November.
The report provided the following updates regarding the activities of the Public Works Department:
Capital Projects
- Princeton Pond Expansion project
Borton’s report noted that construction is moving well on the Van Wees Pond. The main pond has been completed and work on the forebay is also close to completion.
“The Township has been working with contractors and its own staff to remove the dirt piles from both ponds,” read the report. “A lot has been moved and we will continue to find suitable dumping locations.”
- Princeton phase 3 (North section)
A majority of the work, including asphalt and concrete have been completed. Work in regards to top soil, sod and site clean up are all underway.
- Bridge 24 Environmental Assessment
Environmental Assessment reports have been completed and Public Works have received comments back from the Grand River Conservation Authority, Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation’s Department of Consultation and Accommodation, Fisheries and Oceans Canada and Six Nations of the Grand River.
Borton’s report goes on to say that comments have been reviewed and discussed, and that they will be taken into consideration in future reports. The bridge should be going to tender in early 2025.
- Bridge 38 deck repair
Some work has been completed at the site, though the building of the expansion joints have been delayed by the manufacturer.
With the winter weather already underway, a decision regarding delaying the project to the spring will be made soon.
Other
As the weather was unseasonably warm during the month of November, municipal staff have continued to work on small projects around the Township, including hauling fill from Princeton to local property owners that have requested it.
With that being said, Staff has equipment and trucks ready to go for snow activities. The Townships overnight patrol person is also back and will keep an eye out for any early hour inclement weather.
Borton’s and the Public Works team have also continued to work on the 20025 draft for Operating and Capital budgets, reviewing environmental assessment documents for Bridge 24, attending by-weekly meetings about the Princeton project, and working on approving road permits that would allow Xplorenet to use the Township right of way to run fibreoptic cable in the Township.
As well, Public Works has continued to work with a supplier on future equipment purchases, working with MESH and the Drainage Superintendent to add asset management programs to the road patrol and winter patrol program, working with the Drainage Superintendent on finding suitable dump sites for the excess soil from the Princeton Drain project, and working with KSmart and Drainage Superintendent on the next phases of the Princeton project.
Kimberly De Jong’s reporting is funded by the Canadian government through its Local Journalism Initiative.The funding allows her to report rural and agricultural stories from Blandford-Blenheim and Brant County. Reach her at kimberly.dejong@brantbeacon.ca.
