Township Newsletter – September 2016

The Corporation of the Township of Laird

S EPTEMBER 12, 2016

Newsletter

Canada Cares Caregiver Award Nominations:

Canada Cares wants to celebrate, say thank you, and recognize the efforts of family members and friends as well as the variety of health professionals who provide care and support in their community. Families, workplaces and governments are encouraged to support caregivers, for children, teens, adults and seniors, and recognize their roles as vital, not only to their lives, but to the economic, and social well-being of Canada as a nation. Canada Cares is encouraging you to consider any worthy individuals (professional, volunteer or family member) who you believe exhibits the qualities of a model caregiver. You can nominate someone for this year’s awards, learn more information and get an application by visiting www.canadacares.org/awards. You can also contact Courtney Wong of the Canadian Abilities Foundation at (416) 421-7944 or by e-mail at abilities@bcsgroup.com.

Breakdown of Municipal Taxes:

Council would like you to know where your taxes are distributed. Taxes collected, not only go to the direct services the municipality provides, but to many levies for other services. The following levies account for the percentage of taxes collected in 2016 as indicated: Fire Services, 4%; Police Services, 11%; Algoma District Services Administration Board, 25%; another 18% are smaller levies. In total, some 58% of the municipal tax is given over to other agencies and organizations, for which the township has no control.

Fall Clean-Up:

Council has set disposal site hours for fall clean-up days as:

Friday

October 14, 2016 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday October 15, 2016 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday October 16, 2016 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

There is no charge for all household waste during these days, businesses are excluded. Items to be burned will not be accepted if a fire ban is in place. Do not put recyclable material in the land fill!

Rules-Guidelines — Horse Arena:

Council and the Laird Fairgrounds Management Board recently approved the refurbishment of the horse arena at the fairgrounds. The facility was not being utilized, as it had in the past, due to the poor condition of the ring. The refurbishment project included the sand being removed and replaced with appropriate layers of material. Tile drainage was included in one of the layers. The entire fence around the arena was taken down, repaired, resized and painted. Council and management board are pleased with the improvements and would like to ask the community to review the draft rules-guidelines for the refurbished horse arena. Rules-guidelines are required to be in place to protect the arena, riders and horses. Please review the proposed rules on the back and provide comments, with backup information to support your reasoning, to the municipal office by September 19, 2016. A final document will then be produced.

A helpful link to an article on horse arenas. “Riding Arenas 101” can be found at http://horseandrider.com/article/riding-arenas-101-27770

(OVER)

DRAFT – Rules-Guidelines for Using Horse Arena and Surrounding Areas Preamble to Rules-guidelines for Using Horse Arena and Surrounding Areas.

Council, Laird Fairgrounds Management Board and volunteers have worked diligently and at great expense to construct a new first-class arena at the grounds. This new arena requires very specific care to maintain its integrity and longevity and as such these rules must be adhered to. It is believed that the arena should be available to all those who wish to use it, and agree to abide by following the rules:

1. 1) A tractor with turf tires, and less than 35 horse power, may be used in the arena. No excavating equipment, i.e. plows, discs, or any other piece of equipment that would negatively affect the arena’s tile drainage bed, electrical supply and arena floor.
2. 2) The arena surface must be watered or have moisture in the arena material to a depth of 2”, prior to staging, and during any event, to ensure safety of horse and rider and maintain footing in the arena. This rule is particularly critical when staging speed events or practicing speed events. No dust should be allowed to form thereby loosing valuable material.
3. 3) Surface to be dragged, with a leveling type drag, after every 5 or 6 runs during speed events and speed event practices. Should water content be as described in 2), flat classes such as English and western pleasure, a harrow type drag may be sufficient to use after each class is completed.
4. 4) There are to be no holes dug within the arena or surrounding area, as this may pose a safety risk for horse and rider, even when filled in.
5. 5) No additional material is to be placed on the arena floor or shoot area. The stock pile, now present, is not to be utilized by renters.
6. 6) Area must be left in as good a condition, or better, then found. Repairs required will be charged back to renter(s) or deducted from the deposit.
7. 7) Horses are not to be tied to the arena fence or shoot area as serious consequences may arise from this practice.
8. 8) All stalls shall be cleaned out and left as found. Should this not happen, further rentals will not be granted to that organization, affiliates or individual renter(s)
9. 9) All renters must provide proof of third party insurance as recommended by the municipal insurance provider. The following is a quote from the municipality’s insurer: “We ask that you request a COI (Certificate of Insurance) from any third party user groups that are renting/leasing venues from the Town adding you as an Additional Insured with respects to their specific operations.”
10. 10) No person under the age of nineteen shall be granted renter status.
11. 11) It is strongly recommended that all persons eighteen years of age or younger wear an approved helmet.
12. 12) The arena will be closed periodically for regular maintenance.

COMMENT FORM

Please note you must provide all the information requested with factual comments by September 19, 2016. If you require more comment space please attach sheets to this form.

Name: _______________________________________________ Date: ______________________________ (First and last — please print) Address: ________________________________________________________________________________

Telephone: ___________________________________ Email: _____________________________________

COMMENT:

Signature of Person Making Comment: _______________________________________________________

Received by: ____________________________________________________________ (Laird Township Municipal Office Staff Person)