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www.gregmonforton.com Volume 3, Issue 46
Weekend Weather Thursday
H 9º L 4º
Friday
H 2º L 1º
Saturday
H 2º L-3º
Sunday
H 1º L-3º
As reported from Environment Canada www.weatheroffice.gc.ca Harrow AAFC
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Wednesday, December 19, 2012
Council transfers 2011 surplus funds to reserves By Bill Chaplin, Municipal Correspondent A report presented to Council December 17 listed how spending matches up to budgeting this year. Cutting through the dialogue and financial terms, the bottom line recommendation presented to Council was as follows: “That the following transfers of 2011 surplus funds BE AUTHORIZED: $865,683 to the Contingency Reserve (budget stabilization), $50,000 to the Infrastructure Reserve (urban sewers), $10,000 to the Police Reserve, $180,000 to the Fire Reserve; and that information BE RECEIVED regarding transfers for i) the net financial positions of the Parking, Sanitation, PCC and Water departments for 2011 to their respective reserve accounts, and ii) the balances of net revenue funding for committed capital projects to their respective reserve accounts.” In another, related report, the audited 2011 figures were recommended to Council for adoption, and the accounting firm of Graham, Setterington, McIntosh, Driedger and Hicks was recommended to continue as the municipality’s auditor. All of this was endorsed by Municipal Council.
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New Leamington Transit buses revealed
By Bryan Jessop A more convenient and efficient Leamington Transit was officially introduced to the community at the Leamington Kinsmen Recreation Complex. Although the two new LT buses have been on the job for the past several weeks, they were formally revealed by mayor John Paterson during a brief gathering at the Complex’s main lobby. “It was a good deal,” Paterson said prior to the presentation. “We budgeted close to $500,000, but the cost came in at substantially less.” The total for the two new buses combined came out to approximately $326,000, a price tag accommodated by the provincial government’s Dedicated Gas Tax for its Public Transportation program. The buses, purchased from Overland Custom Coach, can seat up to 19 passengers and can accommodate a wheelchair rider thanks in part to an electricallyextended ramp. Both are Titan II LF (Low Floor) models, equipped with a ‘kneeling’ feature that allows the body of the bus to lower roughly four inches via an air ride system, making it easier to board and exit for less mobile passengers. The two buses — both 2012 models powered by 6.6L General Motorsbuilt Duramax diesel engines — have replaced a full-size 1991 Orion model and a smaller 2000 Ford bus. The Orion had about 580,000 km on its odometer and reached a point when it was only used after its smaller counterpart had broken down or required maintenance. On multiple occa-
Leamington engineering technologist John Pilmer boards one of two new Leamington Transit accessible transit buses during their official unveiling. (SUN Photos)
sions, Leamington Transit subbed in the use of a Bailey school bus while the dedicated vehicles were undergoing repairs. “They were in such bad shape,” said Paterson. “One had to be pulled off the road because of a rotten floor.” The two replaced LT buses have since been sold at auction for scrap steel. The Titan IIs were manufactured by Glaval Bus and are equipped with a frontal bike rack, interior overhead grab handles, a wheelchair anchorage system and programmable LED destination signs. Prior to the purchase of the new buses, the Leamington Transit route was revamped and hours of operation were extended (7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday to Saturday, excluding holidays). “This is something we’ve done to make the Leamington Transit system more user friendly,” said Paterson, who noted that from July to October, ridership increased by 21 per cent. To view the new route, visit the website www.leamington.ca/residents/transportation.asp. Although the proposal has not yet been discussed, Paterson explained that he would like to see Leamington Transit’s services extended into the neigbouring municipalities of Kingsville and Chatham-Kent. A meeting pertaining to the idea has not yet been scheduled with mayors Paterson, Nelson Santos (Kingsville) and Randy Hope (Chatham-Kent).
Leamington mayor John Paterson addresses a group of residents prior to introducing two new accessible transit buses for Leamington Transit. The new buses, both Titan II LF (Low Floor) models, are equipped with air-ride ‘kneeling’ ability to make them easier to board and exit for physically challenged riders.
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