The following text may have been generated by Optical Character Recognition, with varying degrees of accuracy. Reader beware!

THURSDAY, JULY 12, 2012 Sobeys renovation means new products for shoppers Will renovations woo cost-conscious local shoppers? A new health and wellness section, an enhanced cheese section and more varieties of ready-made, fresh foods ­ those are some of the changes shoppers will see once the renovation to the Acton Sobeys store is complete this fall, according to company spokesperson Sarah Stover. "This is a renovation to ensure that we've got the right offering for our customers in Acton," Stover said last week, adding the renovation is being done because Sobeys has new programs and services to introduce to customers. "For example, the readymade prepared foods, you know we've enhanced that program so we're now able to bring that into our Acton store," she said, adding there will be more salads and gourmet sandwiches. Stover said the expanded "We don't disclose any of that information." Several shoppers last week said navigating the aisles is like shopping in a construction zone ­ made all the more difficult because all of the product location signs have been removed. An Acton woman, who did not want to give her name, said she normally does not shop at Sobeys because of the prices said she stopped in to pick up a few items for the next day. She said she spends at least $200 a week to feed her family of four, and usually grocery shops in Milton, but would take another look at Sobeys if it became competitive. One Limehouse woman, who also did not to be identified, said she CONSTRUCTION CONFUSION: Shoppers must navigate around a construc- found the construction "a tion zone as the interior of the Acton Sobeys store undergoes a major renovation. bit disconcerting," but Last week, all of the product location sings had been removed, making it even added that she does not harder to find products. ­ Frances Learment photo Councillor Bryan Lewis thinks about the Town's electric battery ice resurfacer machine in use at the Mold-Masters SportsPlex since November 2010. In that period, there have been 23 reported malfunctions ­ including one which caused the cancellation of a Junior A game ­ of the machine that cost approximately $360,032, twice as much as a natural gas-powered machine. Lewis said the malfunction report "reads comical, but it's not." Staff said the problems and breakdowns were mainly due to the "fairly new electric battery powered technology" and could be summarized as "growing pains." Staff also noted that the company that supplied the machine, Resurface Corp, has experienced problems with one-third of the 30 similar machines it has sold, and has been "extremely prompt and responsive" to the issues. Lewis questioned whether it was a waste of money to go with the battery-powered machine, which uses a renewable energy source and has cleaner emissions. Terry Alyman, the Town's Director of Recreation and Parks said there are sometimes downfalls with new emerging technologies. Acton Councillor Jon Hurst cautioned against "throwing the baby out with the bathwater" and noted the problems were not related to the electric power technology. Staff said they would continue to monitor and record all operational and maintenance issues with the resurfacer ­ information to be used when they debate the type of fuel source for the next ice resurfacer machine. Resurface Corp said in light of the number of breakdowns, it would provide an extended warranty for an additional year at no health and wellness section would mean more variety in products like grocery items for special diets, including gluten-free, sugar-free and dairy-free products. Stover would not confirm or deny the widely rumoured price tag for the renovation of the 10-yearold store is $3-million. THE NEW TANNER 7 usually shop at Sobeys because of the high prices. "I usually just pick up a few items here," the woman said, adding she was at Sobeys last Wednesday evening because her daughter had a soccer game in Acton. "I find it (Sobeys) expensive... and I find the quality is sometimes hit and miss and the price is a bit high," she said, adding she normally shops in Georgetown. She said she was happy to learn that there is an application with the Town for a No Frills store just east of the Sobeys location. "I'm really for that ­ that would be great." Sobeys rep. Stover was unaware of the application for a Loblaws No Frills store, but said company's real estate and operations people are "probably aware of that." cost. Like last summer, the machine will be returned to the company for an overhaul and inspection in readiness for the fall ice season. Town Digest Development charge decreases Development charges, money the Town collects from developers so that additional services required for growth ­ including library services, fire protection, parks and recreation, roads, public works, parking and general government ­ pays for itself, will decrease in Halton Hills as of September 1. The Development Charge (DC) rate for a residential unit will drop by approximately eight per cent, the industrial rate will decrease by approximately 34 per cent and the non-industrial rate will drop by approximately 29 per cent. Staff cautioned Council that the reduction of the Development Charge rates could impact the timing if the Town's capital program if the funds aren't readily available when the projects are ready to be built. When combined with the Region's DCs, the To w n 's n e w r a t e o f $13,067 for a singlefamily unit in Halton Hills, is in the "middle to high range" staff said when compared to surrounding communities. The Town and Regional DCs on a fully serviced single family unit will be $48,342. The Town's industrial development rate ­ $19.27 per square metre ­ is in the middle, and the Town's retail DC rate will be $44.29 per square metre. No one appeared at a recent public meeting to discuss the DCs before Council's approval of the new rates, determined in a recent review, mandatory every five years. Battery-powered bust? If it had been a car, there would have been a recall ­ that's what Ward Two It's Worth The Call To... 905-691-8934 Ltd. Brokerage Helen McLean Sales Representative Since 2004 Resident of Acton Since 2000 www.iProRealty.com PICK YOUR OWN AT "THE FARM" - De Paoli Ready Picked Available (Please Call Ahead) Peas, Beets, Sugar Snap Peas, Cone Shape Cabbages, Raspberries NOW PICKING 3 Recipient of the Platinum Award 2011 HomesByHelen@hotmail.com www.HomesByHelen.ca The Farm 873-2050 · 877-7976 (home) Tues-Fri 9-5 · Sat 9-2, · Sun & Holidays 9-12 Southwest of Georgetown-1km west of Trafalgar Rd. on 15 Sideroad, Stewarttown. First farm on north side of road GEORGETOWN 348 Guelph Street 905-877-2947