Update on leaf collection -

News 100 greenBy Staff

November 20th, 2016

BURLINGTON, ON

 

Complaints about the leaf collection are understandable. However the people who put th schedule together had no idea that the warm weather we have experienced would last quite this long.

As nice as the weather has been – it does play havoc with the plans some departments put in place.
Could we, should we have expected them to have crystal balls that would tell them it is going to be another couple of weeks of unseasonably warm weather?

Just how proactive could they have been?

This crew will probably not be clearing the leaves from your property. They were working along New Street when this picture was taken.

Leaves being cleaned up along New Street,

The city could have revised the plans and moved everything back a few days – perhaps the contracts they signed didn’t allow for that. Write better contracts.

Global warming is changing everything which means everything has to change.

Set out below is the schedule the city is working to at the moment.leaves-collection-map-2016

leaf-collection-update-2016

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Interesting opportunity with the school board for an experienced bean counter.

News 100 greenBy Staff

November 16th, 2016

BURLINGTON, ON

Now here is a volunteer opportunity for a retired bean counter.

The Halton District School Board is seeking a community member with financial expertise and business knowledge to serve on its audit committee for a three year term ending December 2019.

bean-counter

A retired bean counter at work – wants to know where the money went.

The audit committee is comprised of three trustees and two independent members drawn from the community at large. The Committee meets at least three times a year, plus ad hoc meetings as required, including day time meetings.

The primary role of the audit committee is to assist the Board of Trustees in fulfilling its duties related to governance and oversight. The duties of the audit committee fall under the following key areas: the financial reporting process, internal control framework, risk management practices, performance and function of the board’s internal and external auditors and the Board’s compliance with its obligations under legislation. Candidate eligibility includes:

Applicants must have sufficient accounting, senior financial management or other relevant business experience to understand public sector accounting and auditing standards.

The applicant must not be a current employee or Officer of the Board or of any other district school board or school authority.

The applicant must not have a parent, child or spouse currently employed by the Board.

Candidates must submit a letter of interest and resume by 4 p.m. on Friday, December 23, 2016 to:
Lucy Veerman, Superintendent of Business Services & Treasurer, Halton District School Board
PO Box 5005 STN LCD 1, Burlington, ON, Canada, L7R 3Z2

Candidates who are short-listed will be requested to attend an interview conducted by the Audit Committee’s selection committee.getting new - yellow

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Targeted Traffic Enforcement - the police like it - because it works.

News 100 redBy Staff

November 16th, 2016

BURLINGTON, ON

 

It worked very well for them last time – so why not do it again?

The Regional police found a winner when they were able to issue 117 tickets by running a Targeted Traffic Enforcement program driven by complaints from the public.

HRPS crestThe Halton Regional Police continue to address the numerous traffic complaints provided from the residents of Burlington each day. The police continue to encourage residents to report traffic complaints by going to the Halton Regional Police Website and submitting the required information on-line.

A large number of traffic complaints received by police relate to drivers exceeding the posted speed limits. Officers will continue to target areas throughout the City of Burlington that have been identified as high traffic complaint locations.

Officers conducted a one day targeted blitz around Prospect Street in the City of Burlington on November 15th due to a number of complaints forwarded by residents of Burlington. As a result of police presence all along Prospect Street in the City of Burlington, 123 traffic stops were initiated for Highway Traffic Act violations and 90 Provincial Offence Notices were issued by police.

30 Division Officers will continue to conduct target enforcement throughout Burlington to ensure the safety of all residents using the roadways. “Drivers need to be mindful of their actions when behind the wheel. Speeding, distracted driving and stop sign violations were all observed by officers along Prospect Street. Our officers will continue to target areas throughout Burlington in order to deter these types of behaviours by drivers.” said Sgt. Jared McLeod of the District Response Unit.

The Halton Regional Police Service is committed to reducing dangerous and aggressive driving behaviors that put all road users at risk.

If any citizen would like to report a traffic concern they can do so by visiting our website and submitting an online traffic complaint,

https://www.haltonpolice.ca/PRC/Pages/TrafficComplaints.aspx

Related articles:

More than 115 tickets issued by police that originated with citizen complaints.

Stories people tell police when they get pulled over – and the language they use.

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Gas leak on construction site results in some building evacuations downtown.

notices100x100By Staff

November 2, 2016

BURLINGTON, ON

 

Road closure for natural gas leak on John Street and Caroline Street

The City of Burlington Fire Department is at the scene of a natural gas leak at a construction site on John Street.

Several neighbouring buildings are being evacuated.

Roads are closed in the area of Caroline, John, Martha and James Street.

The Fire Department is recommending that all downtown buildings keep their windows closed until further notice.

carnacelli-carriage-gate-early-diggingThe beginning of construction for the Carriage Gate development that will fill the entire block of John Street, Caroline, Elizabeth and Pine has begun.

Looks like someone forgot to completely mark where the gas lines were located.

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Hurd Avenue to be closed for sewer installation

notices100x100By Staff

October 25, 2016

BURLINGTON, ON

Hurd Avenue will be closed at Birch Avenue on Wednesday, Oct. 26

7 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The intersection will be closed to install a new sanitary sewer. 

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That diet the city put New Street on appears to be getting complicated.

News 100 greenBy Pepper Parr

October 10th, 2016

BURLINGTON, ON

 

New Street is taking on mythological features – one of those things that happened and no one can really explain why.

It seemed like a good idea at the time – then “things” got in the way.

The Pier – that story is now part of the folk lore of the city – an expensive bit of our history.

Now we are asking the same kind of questions about the “road diet” New Street was put on.

Bike lanes - New street

The road diet is the lane pattern on the right.

It was to be a pilot project to find out if cyclists would actually use a main thoroughfare and what reducing the number of lanes of vehicular traffic would have on the flow of cars.

The price wasn’t bad – $210,000.  It seemed like an idea worth pursuing.

Then the different interests got into the game – the cyclists, who were well informed and well connected at city hall, kept putting out what appeared to be solid information.

They were opposed by those who will enter the Pearly Gates behind the wheel of their cars.

It was difficult to get a civil dialogue going and the city didn’t help. To the best of our knowledge they didn’t issue one media release.

There is some information on the city web site where the statement is made that: “Currently, 60 cyclists a day use New Street between Guelph Line and Walkers Line.” That does not square with anecdotal evidence.

To date there does not appear to be anything in the way of measuring equipment in place on New Street between Guelph Line and Walkers Line to determine if just what the flows of traffic are at different times of each day.

The cyclists report that in a meeting they had with the city’s Transportation department there was detailed discussion about the technology to be used to measure traffic flows.

But nothing in the way of a media release from the city.

We then learn that parts of New Street are under repairs – something to do with grates in the road which apparently is going to limit usage by cyclists.

What?

Road construction is taking place while a pilot program is underway?

Did one department not talk to another?

New Street is a road managed by the Region. The people in Burlington’s Transportation department are in touch with the Region daily.

James Ridge, the city manager, created a Leadership Team that meets once a week to go over what is being done and the status of the various projects. Every Director and Executive Director is reported to take part in those weekly meetings. A pretty good way to manage a city.

Did someone in one of those Leadership Team meetings not mention that the Region was going to be doing some work in the gutters of New Street between Guelph Line and Walkers Line?

Apparently not.

Transparency and accountability fit into this scenario somewhere. When do we send in the clowns?

Related article:

 

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Rabid racoon found in the Region - first confirmed case this year.

News 100 redBy Staff

October 7th, 2016

BURLINGTON, ON

 

The Halton Region Health Department received test results from the Canadian Food Inspection Agency on October 4 confirming a case of rabies in a raccoon found in Burlington. The Health Department is reminding residents to avoid all contact with raccoons and other wild animals.

Rabies is a viral disease that causes severe damage to the brain and spinal cord, and if untreated before symptoms appear will lead to death. The virus is spread through the saliva of an infected animal, usually entering through a bite or scratch.

abid-raccoon-attack

This raccoon is infected with rabies.

“Anyone who comes in physical contact with a raccoon or other wild animal should see a physician immediately and contact the Health Department by dialing 311,” said Dr. Hamidah Meghani, Medical Officer of Health for Halton Region. “After someone is exposed to rabies, timely use of the rabies vaccine can prevent the rabies illness. The rabies vaccine is extremely effective if it is administered before any symptoms occur.”

There are a number of things you can do to protect your family and pets:

• Make sure your pet’s rabies vaccinations are up to date.
• Warn your children to stay away from any wild, stray or aggressive animals.
• Do not touch dead or sick animals.
• Do not feed or keep wild animals as pets.
• Keep your pet on a leash when off your property.
• Seek medical attention immediately if you come in contact with a raccoon or other potentially rabid animals.
• Any pet that has come in contact with a raccoon or other wild animal should be seen by a veterinarian.
• Report all animal bites or scratches to the Halton Region Health Department.

For more information on rabies, call the Halton Region Health Department by dialing 311 or visit halton.ca/rabies.

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Temporary service disruption for online property information requests and dog and business licence renewals

notices100x100By Staff

October 5th, 2016

BURLINGTON, ON

 

On Wednesday, Oct. 5, 2016, the following online services will be unavailable from 4:30 p.m. until 10 p.m. for maintenance:

  • Dog licence renewals
  • Property information requests
  • Business licence renewalsgetting new - yellow
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Lakeshore Road south of Maple expected to re-open October 16 - Detour maps shown.

notices100x100By Staff

September 27, 2016

BURLINGTON, ON

The Phase II Road Closure is expected to remain in effect until October 16, 2016.

For access to the Joseph Brant Museum, Joseph Brant Hospitalloading dock and hospital construction site trailer, use North Shore Blvd/Maple Avenue.

For access to the following locations, use the Eastport Drive detour route:

• Skyway Wastewater Treatment Plant
• Ministry of Transportation – Maintenance
• Halton McMaster Family Health Centre
• Joseph Brant Hospital Parking Garage
• Joseph Brant Hospital Construction Site
• Burlington Beach

lakeshore-road-detour-instructions

Map with detours that will be in place until October 16th, 2016

On October 17, 2016 Lakeshore Road, south of the Maple Avenue / North Shore Boulevard
intersection, is scheduled to be fully opened to traffic, weather permitting.

Lakeshore Road will be open to traffic, but will remain a construction site, with the following works scheduled to take place:

• Completion of traffic signal and street light installation
• Tree planting
• Site restoration

2016 Construction works are scheduled to be completed by mid November 2016 with toplift asphalt
and final landscaping works planned for the spring of 2017.

Changes to Hamilton Street Railway Company (HSR)

During Construction HSR service will be returning to Lakeshore Road. The date is yet to be finalized. For more
information please visit https://www.hamilton.ca/hsr-bus-schedules-fares/schedule-routesmaps/
detours-and-service-updates.

Lakeshore Road was raised about one metre to align with the hospital.  The raised portion of the road extends to the water treatment plant.

Henshell house Beachway

The Region purchased this property for a reported $550,000 – and then tore it down.

Longer term, the road is expected to take a sharp turn to the right to accommodate the Regional Plans for a much larger Beachway recreation area,  The longer term plan includes buying up the more than 25 homes still in he area on a willing seller – willing buyer basis.  The Regional government is the willing buyer and has been offering good prices and a number of sweetheart deal initiatives.

beachway-full-view-with-scobie1-853x1024

Longer term the Beachway we know now will be a much different place – all that green in the photograph will be parkland with different themes for different sections of the property – and all the home will eventually be gone – IF the current plan comes to full fruition.

If you have any questions about this project, please call Jeff Thompson at 905 335-7600, ext. 7669 or
Janine Yaromich at 905 335-7600, ext. 7421.

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Police get a bomb threat aimed at Joseph Brant hospital - Hamilton institutions get similar calls.

News 100 redBy Staff

September 25th, 2016

BURLINGTON, ON

 

A little before 10 pm Sunday evening Halton Regional Police responded to the area of Joseph Brant Hospital for a bomb threat that had been received from an anonymous person. While police were investigating, information was received that similar threats had been made to two institutions in Hamilton as well.

Joseph Brant Memorial Hospital is a little like the provinces economy: a little the worse for wear and tear and in need of a fix up. Problem is the economy has to get much better before the hospital refurbishment can go forward,

Police received a threat of a bomb placed at the Joseph Brant Hospital – nothing was found.

Hospital staff were immediately notified, and nothing suspicious was found. Members of the Criminal Investigation Bureau will be continuing the investigation.

Similar threats have recently been received in P.E.I., Nova Scotia, Manitoba and Nunavut.

Anyone with information pertaining to this incident is asked to contact the Burlington Criminal Investigation Bureau at 905-825-4747 ext. 2316, Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (Tips) through the web at www.haltoncrimestoppers.com or by texting your message to 274637 (crimes)

We live in different times – it would be a mistake to sluff these threats off as coming from cranks. No need to get warped by the threats – but we now need to be much more vigilant.

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Regional police issue 2,299 traffic violation notices during a week long Safe Start program in school areas.

News 100 blueBy Staff

September 19, 2016

BURLINGTON, ON

 

The numbers were nothing to be proud of – dismal is perhaps the best description for the 2,299 Provincial Offence Notices handed out by the Halton Regional Police Service (HRPS) Traffic Services Unit during the week long Project Safe Start road safety initiative.

Now in its tenth year, Project Safe Start is a highly visible reminder to drivers that children are back in school and they need to slow down in and around school zones, watch for pedestrians, and pay attention to school crossing guards escorting children across busy intersections.

Over the course of the week long campaign, which ran from September 7 to 13, officers focused a number of dangerous driving behaviours, the top four of which were:

stop-sign-violation

Missed that stop sign – didn’t see it.

  1.  1: speeding,
    2: disobeying stop signs,
    3: distracted driving and
    4: administrative offences.

Provincial Offence Notices were issued for these and other violations.

“Traffic safety is a Service and community priority in Halton Region,” said Sergeant Ryan Snow, Traffic Services Unit. “While Project Safe Start formally ends, officers will continue to enforce the rules of the road in a bid to make ours safer for everyone.”

Half of 1% of the Region’s population chose to put the lives of children going to school at significant risk.

Residents are reminded that they can file driving complaints or request enforcement of a particular area online at www.haltonpolice.ca under Most Requested Information -> Roadwatch or Traffic Complaints respectively.

Criminal/dangerous driving should be reported immediately by calling 9-1-1.

Related article:

Stories people tell police when they get pulled over – and the language they use.

 

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Water main break shuts down washrooms at Ireland Park - little boys figure out their options.

notices100x100By Staff

September 19th, 2016

BURLINGTON, ON

 

You are going to have to hold it for just a little longer if you are out for a stroll at Ireland Park –

the Washrooms and Concession closed until further notice –

summer-camp-peeing

This is not Ireland Park – yet.

due to a water main break.

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Vaccine for shingles now free to seniors.

News 100 blueBy Staff

September 15, 2016

BURLINGTON, ON

 

Hearing that – Starting today, the shingles vaccine will be available across the province for people 65 to 70 years of age might get little more than a shrug from most people.

For those who have experienced shingles it is no laughing matter.

shingles-2-female

Shingles is a very painful condition – it isn’t limited to people over 65.

“Shingles is a painful illness caused by the chickenpox virus that can reactivate without warning later in life. The shingles vaccine lowers the risk of getting shingles significantly and reduces the chance of complications from this disease for people without medical contraindications.

The government is investing $68 million over three years in order to publicly fund the vaccine, which will reduce the likelihood of Ontario seniors developing the painful infection, and reduce visits to emergency rooms and hospitals.

Shingles, also known as herpes zoster, affects more than 42,000 people every year in Ontario and can cause complications such as loss of vision and debilitating nerve pain. Studies show that the vaccine is highly effective when seniors are vaccinated between the ages of 65 – 70, and this new program aligns with scientific and expert recommendations from Canada’s National Advisory Committee on Immunization and Ontario’s Provincial Infectious Diseases Advisory Committee on Immunization.

Those who are eligible for the shingles vaccine should contact their primary care doctor or nurse practitioner to receive the vaccination.

Approximately 850,000 seniors between the ages of 65 and 70 years are expected to be eligible to receive the publicly funded shingles vaccine.

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The first reported human case of of WNV has been reported to the Region's Medical Officer of Health.

News 100 blueBy Staff

September 15, 2016

BURLINGTON, ON

 

A Halton resident has tested positive for West Nile virus (WNV).

This is the first reported human case of of WNV reported to the Region’s Medical Officer of Health this year.

The Halton Region Medical Officer of Health, Dr. Hamidah Meghani , advises residents to protect themselves against mosquito bites and remove mosquito breeding sites

WestNileVirus_transmission“While 80 per cent of people infected with West Nile virus will have no symptoms, others will have West Nile fever consisting of fever, headache, muscle ache and a rash. If residents are concerned or experiencing symptoms, I would encourage them to visit their health care professional.”

Urban areas are more likely to have mosquitoes that carry WNV. The types of mosquitoes that transmit WNV to humans most commonly breed in urban areas and in places that hold standing water such as bird baths, plant pots, old toys, and tires.

Residents are encouraged to take the following steps to protect themselves and their families from mosquitoes:

• Cover up. Wear light-coloured, long-sleeved shirts and pants with tightly-woven fabric.

• Avoid being outdoors from early evening to morning when mosquitoes are most active and likely to bite, as well as at any time in shady, wooded areas.

• Reduce mosquito breeding sites around your home by getting rid of all water-filled containers and objects, where possible. Change the water in bird baths at least once per week.

• Use an approved insect repellent, such as one containing DEET or Icaridin.

• Make sure your window and door screens are tight and without holes, cuts or other openings.

As part of its ongoing West Nile prevention program, Halton Region staff continually monitor areas of standing water, eliminate potential mosquito breeding sites and larvicide when mosquito larvae is found. A map showing the locations of standing water sites on public properties that have had larvicide applied this year is available at halton.ca/wnv.

To report standing water at public facilities or for more information about West Nile virus, please visit halton.ca/wnv or dial 311.

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McNiven Road closure - Sept. 12 to 17, 2016 - gas pipeline being laid underground

News 100 greenBy Staff

September 12, 2106

BURLINGTON, ON

 

McNiven Road will be closed for traffic between Derry Road and Kilbride Street from Monday, Sept. 12, 2016 at 7 a.m. to Saturday, Sept. 17, 2016 at 7 p.m. for Union Gas construction activities.

Union Gas - south of DerryA new gas pipe line is being buried underground.

Please use the following detour routes:

  1. From the north, traffic will be directed east on Derry Road to Twiss Road, then south to Kilbride Street and west to McNiven Road.
  2. From the south, traffic will be directed east on Kilbride Street to Twiss Road then north to Derry Road and west to McNiven Road.

For more information, please contact:

Susan Cudahy, Community Liaison, Union Gas Limited, Phone: 289-237-0068 – scudahy@uniongas.com

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Victims of abuse and sexual harassment have been given housing options by federal and provincial governments

News 100 redBy Staff

September 9, 2016

BURLINGTON, ON

 

Halton Region is receiving $876,000 in new funding under the Survivors of Domestic Violence Portable Housing Benefit Pilot program. Ontario has selected Halton as one of 22 communities across the province to test the pilot.

The governments of Canada and Ontario are investing more than $20 million over two years to provide ongoing assistance to approximately 1,000 survivors of domestic violence per year under the pilot program.

housing-family-moving

For the physically abused and sexually harassed mother – finding a safe place to live is paramount – the federal and provincial governments have set up a pilot project for the Region of Halton

Currently, survivors of domestic violence are given priority access to rent-geared-to-income social housing. Under the new pilot, those survivors approved under the Special Priority Policy will have the option to receive a portable housing benefit, so that they can immediately find housing in their community instead of waiting for a social housing unit to become available.

Based on the outcomes of the pilot, Ontario will consider ways to enhance the program and extend the portable housing benefit to other communities.

The new investment complements the commitments made through Ontario’s recent Long-Term Affordable Housing Strategy update, and supports the province’s goal of ending chronic homelessness in 10 years.

This initiative also supports the Ontario government’s goals of ending violence against women and providing better supports for survivors which includes the government’s It’s Never Okay: Action Plan to Stop Sexual Violence and Harassment.

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MoonGlade now has the support and talent from the Art Gallery behind it - expect a superb event this year.

artsorange 100x100By Pepper Parr

September 9, 2106

BURLINGTON, ON

 

Just a little more than a week before the 4th No Vacancy event takes place in Burlington – this time the event will be branded as MoonGlade and take place at both Brock Park, right behind the Art Gallery and within the gallery as well.

moonglade jkThe first event took place at the Waterfront Hotel in 2014 and while the attendance was small it was the most startling cultural event in the city that year – we might add that it was startling in the most positive way possible.

The second event took place at the Village Square where the place was packed.

The third event took place on Old Lakeshore Road and something didn’t work. Was it the location, was the line-up of talent not quite right – the event just wasn’t as good as the public had come to expect.

During the conversations surrounding the Supernova event Denis Longchamps, Artistic Director & Chief Curator, suggested that using Brock Park might have been a better choice. He added that some of the installations could also be held in the Art Gallery.

Longchamps however said if the Art Gallery was involved it would have to be a curated event – which means the participants would be selected by people with the depth and experience needed to know who to invite.

While that approach could prove to be limiting – with Longchamps in place that is not likely to happen. The involvement of the Art Gallery gives a degree of legitimacy that these events didn’t have previously.

Brock Park from the north

There will be 17 art installations at the MoonGlade event to be held on September 16th at the Art Gallery and in Brock Park at the rear of the Gallery. Food Trucks will be in place as well.

There is now a level of professionalism that hasn’t been in place up until now.

Involving the Art Gallery also gives that organization to support and promote an event that has the potential to put the gallery on the map in a way they haven’t been able to do in the past.

There is nothing but good news behind this move on the part of Longchamps. The artists participating in MoonGlade this year offer some amazing opportunities to see art in a way that you may not have seen it before – you can expect several of the illustrations to be interactive.getting new - yellow

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City improves access to web casts and staff reports. Takes a bit to figure it out - but it is better.

News 100 redBy Pepper Parr

September 8, 2016

BURLINGTON, ON

 

It has taken a while and it isn’t perfect but it is better.

However, it does take a couple of minutes to figure out just how you get information on city council meetings.

The new Council agenda and minutes software is out there for you to play with.

Visual - city council full

The public now has better access to the staff reports and the web casts of council meetings – it would be really nice if they improved the production values of the web broadcasts – better camera are needed.

“The new online software will make it easier for people to access and share Council information,” said Danielle Pitoscia, manager of committee and election services. “This is important for residents as it is vital we provide Council and Committee documents through an open, accessible and transparent process.”

New or improved features for residents include:

• Shareable links to documents
• Improved search function
• Improved video streaming
• Videos time stamped and linked directly to agenda item
• Complements efforts toward paper reduction
• Compatible with Google Chrome, Firefox and Internet Explorer

You might find it useful to print this out – you will need to refer to it until you get the hang of just how the new software works.

screen-capture-for-city-calendar

This is what the computer monitor should look like if you want to see what is taking place at a city Standing Committee on September 12th. It takes a little getting used to – it is an improvement over what there was before.

The Gazette hasn’t had a chance to experience the web broadcasts of the different council meetings. They meet next week for the first time since July – maybe the cameras they are using have been improved as well

Agendas, minutes and videos from January 2009 to June 2016 can be found on www.Burlington.ca/agendasandminutes.

Agendas, minutes and videos from July 2016 onward can be found on the City Meeting Calendar at www.burlington.ca/calendar.

To access agendas, minutes and videos on the City Meeting Calendar:

1. Visit burlington.ca/calendar

2. Filter your search by selecting “City Meetings” from the calendar dropdown menu

3. Select either “Council” or “Council Standing Committee” from the category dropdown menu. You may choose to refine your search further using the date and keyword(s) features

4. Click “Search” to display your selections

5. Click on the title of a particular meeting to view details of that meeting

If you wish to request documents in alternative format or with communication supports, contact the Clerks Department at 905-335-7600, ext. 7698.

On a related matter – city council is going to debate the use of software that would automatically record votes taken by council – THAT is a much needed improvement. Transparency and public accountability are finding a place at city hall.

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Weather - reports are that it will be a wet one today - Thursday.

News 100 greenBy Pepper Parr

September 8th, 2016

BURLINGTON, ON

 

That nice weather; that couple of days that were livable – they were just a week ago weren’t they?

The blistering heat on Wednesday was unrelenting – late in the afternoon there were some magnificent cloud formations which foretold of a weather system developing.

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

This is where the weather comes from.

Then sure as Thursday follows Wednesday Conservation Halton tells us that the Environmental people tell them that we are in for some heavy rain.

Here’s the word from Conservation Halton:

Environment Canada has issued a thunderstorm watch for areas including Halton Hills, Milton, Burlington and Oakville. Local forecasts are predicting additional rainfall overnight and throughout Thursday morning. The additional rainfall combined with previous amounts totaling up to 35 mm in some areas may result in higher than normal water levels and flows in local streams and flooding of low lying areas.

Conservation Halton is asking all residents and children to stay away from watercourses and structures such as bridges, culverts and dams. Elevated water levels, fast flowing water, and slippery conditions along stream banks make these locations extremely dangerous. Please alert children in your care of these imminent dangers.

Conservation Halton will continue to monitor stream and weather conditions and will issue further messages as necessary.

FLOOD man walking in water Harvester Road sign

This is when there is too much rain

Conservation Halton will issue an update to this Watershed Condition Statement – Water Safety Statement only if significant changes in the forecasts occur. This Watershed Condition Statement will be in effect through Thursday September 8, 2016.

There you have it – wet on Thursday. Careful in the traffic for those of you who are driving.

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Federal and provincial money works its way to Burlington - schools get most of those $$ this time around.

News 100 greenBy Staff

September 7, 2016

BURLINGTON, ON

 

Ontario and the federal government are investing over $88 million in 35 municipal projects to build and repair critical infrastructure, help create jobs, and spur economic growth across the province through the Small Communities Fund.

Burlington will see dollars spent on parking expansion at the:

Aldershot GO Station
Alton Village Public School
Joseph Brant Hospital Phase 1 Redevelopment
Pauline Johnson Elementary School Expansion

aldershot-go-station-traffic

Funds to upgrade the Aldershot parking lot – with 700+ new homes planned for the area – this would seem to be a wise expenditure.

Not a dime this time this time around on infrastructure upgrades.

Planning for the growth that is going to take place – despite the desires of many who chose to live in Burlington is the justification for much of the spending. To drive that point home the province in its media release said:

“Many Ontarians already feel the effects of unplanned growth every day during their commute. The average commute for a Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area (GTHA) resident is 82 minutes per day from home to work. That’s more than many major international cities, including Los Angeles.

commuting-unplanned-growth-graphic

How many people would agree with that 82 minute count?

“The time and gas we waste during our commutes costs us money, and limits the time we have to spend with families and loved ones. When you take into account other social factors, such as how we adapt and restructure our lives to account for traffic, the estimated cost of congestion in the GTHA balloons to $11 billion per year.

“These costs are expected to grow unless significant investments are made in our infrastructure.”

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