COUNCIL APPROVES OF LAND ACQUISITION IN BADEN

LAND TO ACCOMMODATE FUTURE EXPANSION OF PUBLIC WORKS OPERATION

Wilmot Township council held a meeting on Monday, May 29 and here are some important items that were discussed.

LAND ACQUISITION AT 1065 GINGERICH RD., BADEN

Council voted unanimously to have the mayor and chief administrative officer authorized to execute necessary agreements to purchase the land at 1065 Gingerich Rd., Baden.

Wilmot staff recommended the purchase of lands adjacent to the existing public works operations centre to facilitate the future expansion.

The public works operations centre is currently situated on a 3.3 hectare site which is over capacity for material and equipment management needs.

According to a space needs report by Stirling Rothesay Consulting Inc., and presented to council on March 20, there's a need for additional land requirements to accommodate existing operational activities and future growth of the Public Works group.

The negotiated purchase price is $1 million plus legal fees, real estate fees, and applicable taxes.

ZONE CHANGE APPLICATION FOR SCHNEIDER FAMILY AND RARE CHARITABLE RESEARCH RESERVE

Rare Charitable Research Reserve (rare) and the Schneider family approached Wilmot Township in 2020 regarding their plans to donate portions of three existing agriculturally zoned properties to rare.

The official plan amendment application proposes to change the designation of the proposed severed lands from rural to a new conservation designation to prohibit future development of the lands.

But staff said that dedicated parking is needed to

support the continued public use of the Schneider lands.

The township recognizes the significant efforts of both the Schneider family and rare to preserve these ecologically sensitive lands.

"The been, and continue to be, generously made available for public use for hiking and cross-country skiing," the report reads.

To address the issue of parking, rare provided a document highlighting three solutions: do nothing, close property to the public, develop a long-term strategy and master plan for the area.

There were several delegates at the meeting who were in favour of the township accepting the land donation.

Council received staff's report and staff say they will continue to work with rare and the Schneider Family to finalize a parking solution.

WATERLOO OXFORD SECONDARY SCHOOL ON ENVIRONMENTAL WASTE

Waterloo Oxford Secondary School students lands also have gave a presentation to council on littering and ewaste.

E-waste or electronic waste is used to describe unwanted used electronics. As a solution to ewaste, they asked for help in providing awareness, education and a drop off spot for waste.

To help curb littering, the students asked council for help with garbage and recycling bins in strategic areas.

Mayor Natasha Salonen said staff are working with the region on a solution of where waste can be disposed of, adding that they're continuing to look into e-waste.

Councillors commended the students for their presentation and Coun. Stewart Cressman suggested reaching out to Michael Kropf of Dundee Electronic Recycling for a receptacle.