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Registered Massage Therapy (519) 853-3460 EVENING APPOINTMENTS AVAILABLE Safe, Gentle Chiropractic Care Computer Generated Spinal Analysis Emergencies & Workers Comp Accepted New Patients Welcome 25 Main Street North, Acton Across from Giant Tiger Plaza By Rebecca Ring The gallery was over- flowing at a joint public meeting of Guelph/Eramosa Township and County Wel- lington to discuss redrawing Evertons boundaries and zoning fi ve lots for residen- tial development. Proposed changes would move the boundary south to refl ect Eramosa Townships offi cial land use plan and the northern boundary would be moved to recognize the rear lot lines of existing develop- ment on Market St. Robert Eilers applied for a zoning amendment, which involves trading fi ve rural residential lots on Wel- lington St. for fi ve prime agricultural lots on Market St., and for development of those lots. If accepted, Market St. would need to be extended to connect with Albert St., and brought up to standard. Eilers said he purchased 476 acres of land around Everton to add to his ag- ricultural business, not to develop subdivisions. He claims if he developed the lots currently zoned rural residential, he would not be able to farm the abutting agricultural land due to its fi gure eight shape. Some of our equipment is 60 ft. wide and the fi gure eight shape would cost more in spray- ing and seeding because of overlap. This is not the case with rectangular fi elds, he said. If the application were turned down, he said he would have to develop these lots and abandon the fi eld, worth $15,000 in annual crops, to recoup costs. The property is currently used for horses, and he wants to build a new barn to board them. He said de- veloping these lots would interfere with this business, he could not build the barn and he would lose $45,000 in boarding and track fees. Were farmers, not de- velopers, said Eilers, We have never applied to de- velop prime agricultural land and as far as I know, this will be the last time. He said he rehabilitated the agricultural properties at a cost of $65,000, proving his intention to farm the land long-term. He said he is asking to change the lo- cation of the fi ve lots slated for development to make his farm more viable. Some opposition Everton resident Peter Ledwith spoke on behalf of those opposing the applica- tion saying The proposal should be turned down be- cause it is inconsistent with the history of Everton, it will be detrimental to the people in the community and it will negatively impact the environment of the ham- let. He added that further modern development would detract from the historic beauty of Everton, a desig- nated heritage area. Swapping designated areas represents the first step to capitalize on the land surrounding the hamlet, and over time, we would see Evertons personality de- stroyed fi ve lots at a time, Ledwith maintained. Ledwith said Everton has mainly stayed within its original survey of the mid-1800s, and has a very strong sense of community, which would be threatened by further development. He said traffi c would increase if Market St. were extended to Albert St., and properties on Albert St., currently a cul- de-sac, may be devalued. Ledwith said further de- velopment would threaten water quantity and qual- ity, and increase pollution and drainage. Wells derive water from the proposed development site, as ground water fl ows southeast across the property, he said, adding that several residents had insufficient water supply and had to drill new wells following development in the 1980s and 90s. He said the aquifer is unprotected and more sewage, fertilizers and pesticides would add to the already high nitrate lev- els. He referred to Trinton Engineering Services storm water management report and the GRCAs concerns of the impact of a develop- ment on the top of a hill in an environmentally sensi- tive area. Ledwith told council that Eilers planners spoke about running drainage from the proposed development to the east, to hook up with drainage systems on his farmland and then run into the Eramosa River. He said that residents witnessed drainage from this field being directed to the mu- nicipal ditch at the east end of the hamlet, which runs directly into the river. Presumably, if develop- ment goes ahead, drainage will travel the same way. Is the township of the opinion that this ditch can handle the huge volume of water that would result? And is the township comfortable with the run-off from the farmland, and all that it may contain, entering directly into the Eramosa River? Ledwith asked. You have horses on the McDuffy land, so why would you want to develop these lots if the zoning ap- plication is turned down? Councillor Doug Breen asked Eilers. We would lose a lot of money to expand our agri- cultural business. The lots are worth about $900,000 and we need the money, Eilers replied. Everton community resists development Farm equipment is mov- ing on the roads, tractors and balers are busy in the fi elds and the weather is beating us up with extremely high temperatures. Good weather means an abundance of crops and long, long work- days which can sometimes take a toll with unfortunate accidents. Halton Hills Fire Protec- tion & Prevention Services has responded to a number of various emergencies over the years. Farm equipment fi res in the fi eld, medical emergencies, out of control fi res from unattended bon- fi res and the like have really caused concerns amongst emergency responders. It was later determined that some of these emergencies were directly linked to hot, dry weather conditions and fatigue from long hours of physical labour. Fire Services offers these tips to help keep property owners a bit safer from fi re and personal injury. 1. Never permit smoking in barns or near storage areas of combustible/fl am- mable materials. 2. Equip all barns and out-buildings with lightning rods. 3. Never refuel equip- ment while the engine is hot or running. 4. Keep fuel containers capped and sealed when in storage. 5. Ensure crops are dry before placing into barns. 6. Keep vegetation against building foundations cut short. 7. Keep tree limbs and brush trimmed back to pre- vent overhanging unto the driveway. 8. Ensure your emergency number is posted and visible at the end of the driveway. Watch for farm equipment YOUNG LEADERS IN SERVICE: The Rockwood and District Lions Club awarded student volunteers for their hard work. Jessica Dean won the Gold award for over 100 hours service. She helped with the Lions pancake and diabetic breakfasts, the Canadian Cancer Society, MS Society and coached Acton Jr. Ball. James Evans won the Silver award for over 50 hours of service. He helped with Rockwood Minor Ball, Canadian Cancer Society, Eden Mills Writers Festival, and a youth retreat. From left are Lion Jim Weatherby, James Evans, Jessica Dean and Lion Darryl Nichol. Rebecca Ring Photo Halton Region has pub- lished a directory of Halton farms that are open to the public. Appropriately enough, its called A Guided Tour of Halton Farms. The guide contains infor- mation about where to pick or purchase fruits and veg- etables in Halton. The guide also features listings of local greenhouses offering nursery products grown in Halton, and horse farms where visi- tors can access riding trails, lessons and camps. To get a free copy, drop by the Halton Region- al Centre at 1151 Bronte Road in Oakville, contact Access Halton toll free at 1-866-442-5866 or email accesshalton@halton.ca. The guide will also be available for pick-up at tourist centres and chambers of commerce throughout the Region. Eat Local Produce