Town leaders look ahead

The start of a new year is a time for reflection, but it's also an occasion for looking ahead.

That's what Caledon's mayor and councillors have been doing lately.

"A cohesive council, working together for all the residents of Caledon," is what Mayor Marolyn Morrison is hoping to see in the coming year.

She also pointed to the need to work hard to get more land ready for development, especially employment lands.

"We have a lot of businesses who are very, very interested in coming to Caledon," she observed.

"I hope we finish the Alton Village Study," commented Councillor Richard Paterak.

He's also hoping to see the widening of Highway 10 completed to Highway 9 by the end of the year. As well, Paterak said he wants to see progress on the Mayfield West plans. "It's important to do it," he remarked. "Time to do it and get it right."

Councillor Doug Beffort referred to the need for a vision statement for the Town, including those areas facing development and those that are not.

"Both are equally important, in terms of our future," he remarked, adding council has to consider both the growth issues and the fact many people use Caledon as a place of recreation.

He pointed out the discussions that have taken place seem to indicate that's the direction in which the Town is headed, but a lot depends on what Peel Region says, as well as the Province.

"We need to have a vision of what we would like to see," Beffort said. He agreed it might not be within reach, but it would still be a good starting point.

Beffort is one of three rookies completing their first year on council, and he commented that he's glad there's been some good discussions.

He pointed out people in his ward want peace and quiet, while people in Bolton want growth, but he added there's middle ground too. They need to encourage people to shop locally and come to Caledon for recreation, "and in the meantime, you try to keep the roads clear, traffic slow and the people happy."

Beffort added he's been feeling the pressure to meet the needs of the taxpayers, adding municipalities aren't getting their share from the provincial or federal governments. He said the Town could use help so it can put aside funds for new infrastructure and equipment.

"The less you do that, the more you get behind," he observed.

"The big thing is we need to get the budget put to bed," declared Councillor Allan Thompson.

He commented that tax rates are a little too low, and that can't continue. "We can't keep sweeping stuff under the carpet," he remarked, adding the Town has it's bills to pay too.

Thompson also pointed to the need for new employment lands to be established across town, citing places like Tullamore, Victoria and Caledon village. The Town needs to look at employment growth before it gets too carried away with residential, he said.

Councillor Gord McClure is another member who's spent the last year experiencing the learning curve of his first term.

"I'm liking the job better," he told the Citizen last week. "There's more to it than I thought there was."

Looking to the future, McClure said he's hoping to see progress in the Mayfield West area. Part of that will include work on the new water reservoir planned for the area of King Street and Kennedy Road, which should be ready by April 2009. It will be able to accommodate 12 million litres, which he said is oversized for the area, but will help take in a new industrial complex slated around Victoria

Veteran Councillor Richard Whitehead said he expects a lot of the emphasis in 2008 will be on Regional issues.

That will include expansion of the seniors' facility in Caledon East. As well, a new well is being looked into for the village, with the information environmental assessment for the project progressing. Whitehead explained that since the tragedy in Walkerton several years ago, the amount of water municipalities can take from aquifers has been reduced. Permits to take more can be issued, but only after the municipality has demonstrated there is enough there. He added there are some subdivisions in the works for Caledon East, and the water taking permit has to be in place for them to proceed much further.

"That's quite a lot for a small village," Whitehead observed, referring to all the activity planned there.

He also said there's going to be work on the trails at the Palgrave Conservation Area in the coming 12 months. The number of trails are due to be reduced, but the ones that remain are to be improved, and he said that work should be done by the end of the year.

As well, he said an osprey nest has been placed at Palgrave Pond, and more are planned. Osprey, he said, don't eat fish.

Addressing Town issues, Whitehead said there should be progress this year on the west component of the Bolton arterial road, from Mayfield Road to Harvest Moon Drive.

He added this is part of an on-going project that is going to take a couple of more years to complete, but they need to get the panning work done first.

Whitehead also said work will continue on the plans for South Albion in the coming year. The studies should be completed this year, with recommendations for the location of employment, commercialindustrial and residential lands.

"We have to get the employment land in our inventory in order to get the economic development under way," he said.

The province announced last year it would be phasing out regional pooling to support social services in Toronto. It's slated to take seven years, but Whitehead said Peel would like it done in four.

He added the Region has decided not to download money to the municipalities. Peel's social and health services are suffering, he said, because of lack of funding, so the money is going to be staying at the Regional level.

"Generally speaking, I think we had a successful year last year," remarked Councillor Nick DeBoer, although he added there's still lots to do.

He observed it looks like this is going to be a good year in the agricultural sector, with better commodity prices, and he said we're at a state where agriculture is going to play a greater role in the economy.

Councillor Annette Groves stated she's looking forward to seeing progress on the arterial road too, as well as the completion of the South Albion studies.

"I'd like to see us just take a look at the infrastructure that we have," she added, hoping some of it can be improved.

Groves agreed the year just ended "had its challenges, but moving forward, we'll work through those challenges."

Rookie Councillor Jason Payne also said the big issue this year is going to be with the employment lands, "making sure we get these designated lands on line."

He stressed they are needed, for the good of both Bolton and the whole town. He said that as a councillor, it bothers him that only about 51 per cent of the population works here. He would want to see that figure increased. As well, attracting more jobs here would improve the Town's assessment numbers.

Payne also was looking forward to seeing progress on the western portion of the arterial road around Bolton.

The last year has been a time of learning for Payne.

"It's been a good learning curve this year," he said, adding he's been getting to understand the legalities of how council operates, as well as getting to know the residents and various community groups.