Report Archives
Oct
16/06
Some 200 people packed into the Dugald Community Club on
Oct. 16/07 to hear from the 5 candidates seeking the Reeves position. No
strong winner was prominent, but many stated afterwards, Doug Shaver
showed strongly, followed by Peter Skrupski, Garry Brown and Don Matheson.
Reeve Holland was defensive and stated he won't accept or do the Reeve's
job for less than $40,000 per year. No formal polls have been issued to
date, and so the last week of campaigning will either demonstrate a break
out for one candidate or the winner will be marginal, perhaps with as
little as an estimated 20% of the entire vote.
Oct 10/06
On Tuesday, October 10, Council met to review the engineers
report and details of what could include traces or indications of possible
mold in the building. This is one more chance for Council to opt out of
the buildings purchase, but will "they" meaning Reeve Holland and
councillors Shaver, Paulishyn and Bodnaruk?
Sept 26/06
On Tuesday, September 26, Council made a decision to move
forward on the Inspection Report regarding the Costume Museum building. At
this meeting, councillors and the Reeve took the final steps in binding
our RM in purchasing the facility for $665,000. Costly renovations would
be required to inflate this number-the sky's the limit.
Plan to attend this meeting (begins at 6:30 pm) and/or
contact your local councillor to encourage them to stop this wasteful and
short sighted purchase. This purchase did not to date include stakeholders
and would not be a building conducive to include the multitude of other
worthy activities. It is an energy inefficient building which has better
use for another cause.
After weeks of secrecy, the news is out. Springfield
Council's offer to purchase the former Costume Museum of Canada building
is tentatively accepted and will likely move forward after an assessment
of the building by an engineering firm. This purchase is an example of the
lack of transparency, vision and care of members who voted in favour of
this transaction. Not only is the building a waste of taxpayers money, it
provides no benefit to the multitude of stakeholders who are eager to
cooperate in a multipurpose facility. Building renovations costs will be
significant, so the $665,000 figure is only the beginning. The current
building is inefficient and lacks the benefit of an leed energy efficient
building. When you go to the polls on October 25, elect candidates who
include interests of the whole community, not just serving their own self
serving purpose. Shame on those who voted in favour of this!!
Aug 29/06
At the Aug. 29 Council meeting, a petition and presentation
was delivered concerning the limited hours of operation and accessibility
of residents to the Oakwood Transfer Station. Council voted to open the
station an additional 6 hours on Wednesdays (tent. afternoon/evening)
based on logistics with Public Works. This would begin Sept. 6.
Council also heard Mark Miller raise concerns regarding the
potential purchase of the Costume Museum. He feels not all stakeholders
were consulted, nor is the public aware of the vision for the facility. It
may not be fiscally prudent to purchase the building which would require
major overhauls and is likely inefficient based on todays building
standards (i.e. LEED).
July/Aug 2006
After several attempts by resident citizens to encourage
open and transparent local municipal government, Springfield Council is
close lipped and tight chested on their motives, vision and offer to
purchase or negotiate a final agreement on the Costume Museum of Canada
(CMC - Dugald). It is common knowledge that the 2006/07 budget includes an
allocation of up to one million dollars to purchase a new municipal
building, coinciding with the sale or transfer of title of the CMC. The
CMC owes Springfield upwards of $340,000 on an outstanding mortgage/loan.
Many residents believe the purchase of the CMC would be a poor investment
and not in the best interest of the whole municipality.
Watch for your tax bill in the mail this month as they
become due on October 31, 2006.
May 11, 2006
At the public meeting to review and adopt the 2006 budget,
Council sided with the concerns from the public presenters that not all
the information was thoroughly understood. In fact, one councillor
(Shaver) only received the financial information the day of the meeting
and thought it was in the best interest of the public to hold off adopting
the budget until he and other councillors could review the document in
detail. In addition, certain figures presented need to be reallocated or
re-appropriated to different accounts. Council must advise the provincial
government of the deferred timing of adopting the budget and advise those
who attended of modifications in the budget before adoption.
The proposed budget has a projected increase in the tax
base of $630,000 and additional expenditures over last year by $1.2
million. In fact, some $1.2 million will be drawn from reserves to balance
the 2006 budget. This raised concern from various public delegations.
Costume Museum Moving?? - It appears that the sun may be on the horizon for the
Costume Museum (Dugald). Consideration is being taken on moving and the RM is
considering purchasing the building. Watch here to learn more...
April 17, 2006
A local source has informed Springfieldfirst
that Inland (Sand and Gravel) is looking to extend their pit hours of operation.
April 5, 2006
The Municipal Board has upheld the current
municipal election format for the upcoming October 2006 election. Concerns still
exist among residents that the existing wards are unevenly populated and
strategically favour the incumbents. Background-The Municipal Board held a public hearing on Friday, March 24 in
Oakbank to hear from the municipality and a group citizens who are for and
against the current electoral boundaries. The Municipality is in favour of
maintaining the same electoral system, 5 councillors elected from individual and
separate wards. A group of citizens presented a case for elections at large.
Some 40 people attended the all day event. The crunch is as the Municipal Board
will be reporting back, in time for any changes for this October's municipal
election.
Another well known former councillor has announced his intention
to run for Reeve in October 2006. Don Matheson will be vying for the position
currently held by (Reeve) John Holland with recently announced challenger and
incumbent councillor, Doug Shaver.
At the March 28 Council Meeting, Council approved a motion
stating all requests for recreation related grants must first be presented to
the Recreation Commission. This is to better ensure fairness within the system.
Groups or organizations can appear before Council after first
approaching/presenting the Recreation Commission.
Doug Shaver, an incumbent municipal councillor, has announced his
intention to run for the Reeves position in Springfield. It is unknown if
incumbent Reeve John Holland has intentions to vie for the position for what
would be his third term. There may be others who enter the contest, set for
October 2006.
The Municipal Board will be conducting a meeting on March 24 at
10 at the Oakbank Baptist Church to review by-law 01-17 respecting the
Springfield ward boundaries. You may present at the mtg if you submit your
material at least 10 days in advance of the mtg. For more information contact
Rose Gibbons at 945-4014.
The February 7th Council meeting saw a packed room regarding the
proposal for the Biodiesel plant and the Development Plan Amendment. Residents
spoke in favour and against the proposed plant. The proposed plant (by Edie
Farms) would create some 30 jobs, be located near Hwy 15 on Hwy 207 and use
canola seed to produce up to 30 million US gallons of biodiesel. The plant would
see some 15 trucks a day hauling canola pulp away, which can be used as a feed
for cattle. The proposal will move to 3rd reading and be subject to
Environmental approvals from Manitoba Conservation.
A Petition to Change the current Ward Boundaries
within the RM of Springfield for the municipal election to be held in October
2006 has been initiated.
Info coming soon on Recreation Consultants Report.
Beginning Jan 1, 2006, the RM will reimburse only up to 80% of
library charges (not GST) once per calendar year per family.
Biodiesel Plant Proposed (January 2006) - Manitoba Conservation
is reviewing an application for a biodiesel plant to be constructed by Prairie
Gold Biodiesel north of the CNR line at the corner of Hwy 207 and 15. The
RM is planning to re-zone the property. See www.
Nov 1, 2005
Council agreed to submit
$20,000 on the request of the Provincial-Municipal Support Services Division of
Manitoba Intergovernmental Affairs and the City of Wpg. for 2005 Mosquito
Larviciding.
Oct 25, 05
The meeting saw the cancellation of taxes for most
of the community clubs and organizations, in addition to the Costume Museum
($5,215.80); Bylaw 05-30 was adopted; the municipal offices will be closed from
Dec 26-30; Floodway expenditures were issued ($6239.60) cost shared with St.
Clements and ESP.
Oct 4, 05
Council ended at 10:45pm with a number of items
being covered including a number of subdivision and variance applications.
Oakbank will see a 12 unit condo development near Oakwood Rd. Certain landowners
near 14-12-4E (Lornehill Rd and Deacon Rd) are eager to pursue a Development
Plan amendment to allow for 5 acre lots despite the minimum 20 acre RR.
The Springfield Tache Weed Control District will be allowed to store chemicals
at the Public Works yard in a fenced shed enclosure. Council authorized the
payment of an invoice ($49,650) from Friesen Drillers for the drilling of the
Anola Well.
Councillor Shaver was in Minneapolis (Sept 10-14, 2005) attending the American
Public Works Assoc. Conference.
At the Sept 6/05 Council meeting, a
proposal for a new gas bar on Springfield Rd (Oakbank) near Hwy 206 was
approved. Also, Oakbank Christian Church will be building a new church on
Oakwood at Spruce.
The Colony Road Bridge needs
reconstruction. The RM budget allocated $350,000 for the project but tenders are
well over this amount. Council is considering options, including Public Works to
trim expenses in other areas to accommodate for this project.
With an in-camera discussion and a
resolution for her (Janet Nylen's) compensation at the July 26 Council meeting,
Springfield's administration was left without a Secretary-Treasurer. The circumstances around the opening are as yet
unknown. Janet Nylen was hired originally after Springfield's long time
administrator retired. Shortly afterwards, the CEO (Dave Donaghy) position was
also created.
The 2004
Municipal Auditor's financial report is available to the public to
view at the RM office in Oakbank.
A near
300% sewer and water rate increase has been
proposed by the municipality to the PUB (2005). This will affect Oakbank, Dugald
and eventually Anola. Residents are encouraged to attend a public hearing on the
proposal on July 11, 2005 at 7 pm at Dugald CC. For info call 444-3321.
At the July 5, 2005 RM Council
meeting, a proposal by Mr. Handler (Springfield Lot Developers) for
100 new
residential lots (Sage Place West) on 38 acres, was considered. This new
development would border Springfield Rd and Vernon. It is estimated 30-40 lots
would be sold each year.
A second application for subdivision
(Ventura) was approved for 42 lots on 15 acres
just south of Dugald bordering
Hwy 206. As part of this application, councillor Shaver advocated the developers
allocation of drainage property in lieu of, or in respect to, the developers
requirement of green space/land or financial contribution dedicated for parks or
walkways.
RM Council has supported (June 2005)
the expenditure of $1,140/yr for 5 years to join the SRRCD
Travel by councillors, the Reeve and
administration has become a hot topic and sensitive issue for many. Our RM reps
have a history of travelling often at significant expense to the taxpayer. In
some instances, spouses are reimbursed for meals, and legitimate reports are not
tabled for the benefit of our community. Most recently, Councillor Shaver
requested (June 2005) and was approved by a vote of 3-2 to attend the American
Public Works Association Conference September 11-14, 2005 in Minneapolis.
At the June 28, 2005 Council meeting,
the Reeve highlighted the importance of environmental protection. No exact
actions were announced, so we'll see what new actions will unfold. Council also approved the expenditure of up to $25,000 for new fire hoses and some
$3,000 for municipal lapel pins.
A Recreation
Consultant has been hired to consider all aspects of Springfield's recreation
needs. Watch for details of public meetings which may be held.
Council is
considering a By-Law to create a local improvement district for water and sewer
hook-up for Anola residents due to the boil water advisory challenge. Firm costs
are being identified which would be partly paid for by area residents. The RM
and province will cover the remainder.
Zora Community Club
is looking to make renovations to their building. Unfortunately, a recent
funding application was denied. They plan to re-visit their plans and seek funds
through various sources.
Hwy 44 is being considered for a
historic route designation. Springfield is keeping aware of the progress on
this, even though Hwy 44 does not cross into Springfield.
