Accessible Parking

Three additional barrier-free parking spots are being proposed for the Wellington and Centre Street parking lot in Alliston.

New Tecumseth's Accessibility Advisory Committee is asking the town to look at the creation of the new spots, which would benefit barrier-free vans for the purpose of unloading.

If approved, there would be six barrier-free parking spots in the lot.

A new grant program is being offered to New Tecumseth businesses to help them be more accessible.

The town's Accessibility Advisory Committee is offering a portable suitcase ramp grant program. The ramps can provide a temporary solution for businesses that are not currently wheelchair accessible.

A suitcase ramp is a single-fold ramp that provides safety and strength while remaining light and portable. By removing two hinge pins, it separates into two sections, each with its own handle.

The grant is for 50 per cent of the cost of the ramp, to a maximum of $200. To be eligible, the ramp must be CSA approved and have a minimum weight requirement of 500 pounds. Only ramps bought after Jan. 1 or this year are eligible for the grant.

For more information contact economic development co-ordinator Katie Bagshaw at 705-435-3900 ext. 230 or call kbagshaw@town.newtecumseth.on.ca.

The town received 10 submissions for the contract to upgrade the Beeton Community Centre.

Parks, Recreation and Culture staff will filter the proposals down to five, which will be given to the Beeton Facility Task Force to review.

Renewing the contract for pound services for New Tecumseth could mean minor changes to its costs and hours.

Arcticlight Kennels is looking for its contract to be renewed for three years. In the contract, Arcticlight Kennels has asked for the town's daily boarding fee to increase from $17 to $18.

Arcticlight is also asking for a daily rate of  $27.40 as compensation and remuneration for services. Daily pound rates charged to owners will also increase from $18 to $20, including taxes.

The contractor also wants to be able to collect fees and fines by Visa or Master Card.

The hours for owners to pickup their dogs would be from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday to Friday, and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. and 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. The canine control officer is permitted to drop animals off at all times.

Arcticlight Kennels has provided a canine pound facility for New Tecumseth since 1997. Its current contract expired May 31.

The town is looking for space to house a Beeton office for the Nottawasaga OPP.

Since the main office for the Nottawasaga OPP detachment was moved to Addison Road in Alliston, Coun. Richard Norcross has requested for the OPP to maintain a presence in the community.

Because the ESO offices are at the request of council, the town is responsible to pay for the leases.

In Beeton, 49 Main St. is being considered as the new location. It has 640-sq-ft floor space and was recently renovated. Monthly rent is $750, including utilities and the building could be occupied within two to three weeks.

There is money available in the town's operating budget to pay the remaining five months of rent this year. To pay for the costs associated with moving, telephones and hook-ups, a town report said there is money in the 2009 Police Services Board budget.

A town report said the former OPP building is 'in very poor repair and has experienced serious water damage resulting in mould in the basement as well as plumbing and electrical problems.'

The Downtown Enhancement Master Plan has identified the former OPP office site as potential for green space and parking. Staff is reviewing all the options for the site and will report back to council with a demolition schedule.

Walmart wants to be exempt from the town's noise bylaws in order to complete construction of the development, going up on Highway 89 east of County Road 10.

The exemption would be from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday though Saturday.

Schickedanz Brothers Ltd. has applied to New Tecumseth for Phase 4 of its Alliston housing development.

There are 22 lots in the latest phase of the subdivision going up northeast of the King Street and Industrial Parkway intersection.

Repairs on the 5th Line bridge will be done by Jarlian Construction Inc.

The project is expected to cost $176,260 and be completed between July 6 and Aug. 28.

The recently reconstructed 10th Line bridge is being dedicated to William Dorsey.

Instead of mounting a bronze plaque on the bridge, Coun. Barbara Huson has asked for a sign to be put at each entrance to the bridge so people in vehicles can see it.

Dorsey started farming in New Tecumseth in 1954. The 1,200 hectare farm, which is still in operation, is in close proximity to the 10th Line bridge and the W.H. Dorsey Potatoes Limited is at the 10th Line and 10th Sideroad in Beeton. Although William Dorsey died in 1991, his children, Bruce, Brian, Barry, Bradley, Bonnie and Barbara continue the operation today.

The 10th Line bridge is the first new bridge constructed in New Tecumseth since the town amalgamated in 1991.

Work on a new St. Paul's School in Alliston is one step closer to reality.

A site plan agreement has been submitted to New Tecumseth for the new location, in the River's Edge Development going up in north Alliston.

The Simcoe Muskoka Catholic District School Board has designs ready to go for the new school and has been waiting for details to be finalized so it has the land to build on.

Plans for the new school include 16 classrooms and room for 489 students.

If work starts on the school this summer, the SMCDSB anticipates the school will be ready by September 2010.