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4 ·The IFP· Halton Hills ·Tuesday, January 17, 2012 Citizens' survey says: Keep `small-town' feel TRANSPORTATION MASTER PLAN CLASS ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT NOTICE OF STUDY COMPLETION The Study The Town of Halton Hills has completed a Transportation Master Plan (TMP) Study to provide the strategies, policies and tools required to meet the Town's transportation needs safely, effectively and cost efficiently. This project has been conducted in accordance with the requirements of the Municipal Class Environmental Assessment (Class EA) process and has satisfied the requirements of the first two phases of the Class EA process. The purpose of the plan was to develop an integrated transportation plan and associated strategies that consider all modes of travel to meet road network challenges to the year 2031. The TMP report documents the existing conditions in the study area, the identified growth and the forecasted transportation improvements needed to support this growth. The existing conditions were presented at the first Public Information Centre (PIC) in February 2011, and the recommendations were presented at the second PIC in June 2011. The preferred recommendations were updated as a result of input received from the public, key stakeholders and agencies throughout the study. Overall, the Master Plan recommends improving roadway infrastructure during the next 20 years, as well as, road jurisdiction and road classification changes. The preferred solution also includes recommendations to address identified operational issues. Based on the Class EA process followed, all recommended projects identified in the Master Plan will be completed in subsequent studies, as per the Municipal Class EA process as either Schedule B or Schedule C projects, requiring additional public consultation and development of design options. The TMP is closely aligned with other Town and Regional transportation-related studies, including the Town and Region Official Plans, the Regional TMP, as well as, the Green Plan and Cycling Master Plan. The Plan was approved by Town Council on January 9, 2012. The plan will be used to guide development of the Town's transportation system, including roads, trails and sidewalks. The TMP is available for public viewing at the Town of Halton Hills Civic Centre, located at 1 Halton Hills Drive, Halton Hills, ON, Monday ­ Friday: 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and on the project website at: www.haltonhills.ca/tmp. The document will be available for review for 30 days. Please provide all written comments to the Town of Halton Hills by February 15, 2012. After this date, the report will remain available on the project website. Any questions about the TMP should be directed to: Ted Drewlo, P. Eng. Manager of Engineering Services Town of Halton Hills 1 Halton Hills Drive Halton Hills, ON L7G 5G2 Tel: 905-873-2601 ext. 2313 Fax: 905-873-3036 Email: tedd@haltonhills.ca Information will be collected in accordance with the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act. With the exception of personal information, all comments will become part of the public record. Additional information related to the study and consultation process may be obtained through the study website: www.haltonhills. ca/tmp. This Notice issued on January 12, 2012. 5 Serving Acton, Georgetown and surrounding areas By CYNTHIA GAMBLE Staff Writer Preserving Halton Hills' `small-town' character seems to be the number one priority for residents, according to results from a recent Town citizens' survey. Council hired Synovate for $33,674 to do a telephone survey of 434 residents, 18 years of age or older, in October, asking questions about the Town's service delivery. The recommendations will be used as a tool in developing future budgets. It builds on a similar survey done in 2005. Synovate representative Tim Hodapp presented the results at the Jan. 9 council meeting. The results are valid within plus/ minus six percentage points. While Hodapp did not yet have comparative figures for other municipalities, he said, based on his experience elsewhere, the results here are quite positive. In 2011 significantly more citizens rated the quality of life in the town as "excellent" as compared to 2005-- 25 per cent vs 19 per cent. In 2005, 86 per cent of those surveyed rated living in Halton Hills as good to excellent. In 2011 that number was 87 per cent. "Looking at other studies, this is a very good rating to have that many-- one in four-- rate us as an `excellent'. So that's actually a very high rating," said Hodapp. "First of all the fix wasn't in; we didn't fix this, it's the real result. I think it's an amazing result," said Wards 3&4 Regional Councillor Jane Fogal, who said kudos should go to the Town's employees. "With all the (financial) issues that we have, we're doing really well. People are really appreciative of what we've been doing." Hodapp said residents liked the town's `small-town' character, friendliness, its safety and low crime rate, and its well-run Town services. "The fact that 74 per cent of the people mentioned, on a spontaneous basis, the `small-town' atmosphere, the friendliness and quietness of the town is truly a significant result," said Hodapp. Of those surveyed, approximately 75 per cent agreed that Town builds a strong sense of community, preserving the natural environment and heritage buildings, with only 50 per cent suggesting the Town needs to attract more commercial/industrial growth or provide services to keep pace with growth. Top safety priorities by those surveyed are: · Firefighting services (96%) · School crossing guards (87%) · Traffic control (77%) Top recreational priorities by those surveyed are: See SURVEY, pg. 5 ? g a J g a W e h T Do Want to... YOU $5 to get started Limited time offer If You Do... we'll give at WagJag.com you'll find AMAZING local deals on: · Events · restaurants · fashion finds · activities · adventures · and more Visit: us at our office to receive the FREE credit of $ 5 & we'll sign you up to Wag Jag! Buy together and we all win! 280 Guelph Street, (Georgetown Market Place) Georgetown · 905-873·0301 Brought to you by Your Community Newspaper 1 Halton Hills Dr., Halton Hills ON L7G 5G2 Telephone: 905-873-2601 ext. 2300 · Fax: 905-873-3036 · Email: info@haltonhills.ca g a J g a W