By Vanessa Balintec
The following is a brief summary of items discussed on the May 28 Dysart et al council meeting.
Mayor Andrea Roberts presented Ronald Mark with the Sovereign’s Medal for Volunteers on behalf of Governor General Julie Payette.
“It’s a medal for volunteers – it recognizes exceptional volunteer achievements from across the country and abroad celebrating a wide range of voluntary contributions” said Mayor Andrea Roberts.
According to Roberts Ronald Mark has been a member of the Algonquin Shrine Club for over 25 years raising money for the Shriners hospital.
“He’s been volunteering for the 4Cs Christian Community Concern Centre food bank and thrift store on a weekly basis for the past 15 years and is also an active volunteer at the Haliburton United Church” said Roberts.
“I thank you for being here today” said Mark. “My Shrine the Masons 4Cs and Christian Church thank you very much.”
Councillors passed a new firework bylaw regulating the selling and use of fireworks.
According to the bylaw the setting off of fireworks will only be allowed on select days of the year at select times: New Year’s Eve between 8 p.m. and 1 a.m. the following day; Victoria Day between 8 p.m. and 11 p.m. on the weekend preceding and including the statutory holiday; Canada Day between 8 p.m and 11 p.m. the weekend prior to Canada Day the weekend directly following Canada Day or on July 1 and Civic Holiday between 8 p.m. and 11 p.m on the weekend preceding and including the statutory holiday.
The bylaw was introduced in an effort to acknowledge the environmental damage fireworks can cause such as air and water pollution and its ability to negatively impact wildlife and quality of life for some residents. Failure to comply with the selling and use of fireworks according to the bylaw is a maximum fine of $500 plus additional administrative penalties of $100.
Dysart et al has also passed a new noise bylaw.
The policy was made in an effort to recognize the right of residents to an environment “free from unusual unnecessary or excessive sound” that may degrade the tranquility of their life.
Noise is deemed to be unreasonable in multiple scenarios such as construction between the hours of 11 p.m. and 7 a.m. the next day; sound equipment or musical instruments between the hours of 11 p.m. and 7 a.m. the next day; and loud noises such as yelling made by a human between the hours of 11 p.m. and 7 a.m. the next day.
Exceptions include incidental noise generated by emergency services such as police or ambulances persons or organizations who have received permission from the municipality ringing of bells in connection with any religious service operation of snow removal; and normal operational practice of agricultural commercial institutional or industrial activities.
Failure to comply with the bylaw may result in a fine up to a maximum of $300 plus an additional administrative penalty of $100.
