The naming of the Bryon Fluker Memorial Trail
Residents of Tilbury can soon expect a name change for Memorial Park to the Bryon Fluker Memorial Trail.
On Monday, Chatham-Kent Council approved the motion to recognize former Councillor Bryon Fluker for his 40+ years of service and leadership in the Tilbury community.
The approved motion includes naming a walking trail in the Tilbury area after the late Mr. Bryon Fluker, following the requirements outlined in the Chatham-Kent Commemorative Naming Policy.
The trail is located within Memorial Park in Tilbury, where Fluker used to walk daily.
This decision followed consultation with Parks and Recreation Division staff and Fluker's wife.
The Commemorative Naming Policy, the proposal to name the "Bryon Fluker Memorial Trail" trail, was open for public feedback on Let's Talk CK for 30 days. The survey results strongly supported the naming, with 89 out of 97 respondents expressing their approval.
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Greenlight to expanded electric vehicle charging stations
Local recreation areas in Chatham-Kent are getting more electric vehicle (EV) charging stations.
Chatham-Kent Council accepted a report acknowledging the growth of electric vehicle (EV) sales in Canada, driven by government mandates and investments from major auto manufacturers.
The municipality will install Level 2 EV chargers at various locations, supported by the Zero Emission Vehicle Infrastructure Program from Natural Resources Canada.
The Government of Canada has set a mandatory target for all new light-duty vehicles to be zero-emission by 2035, while the Provincial Government of Ontario aims to build at least 400,000 electric and hybrid vehicles in the province by 2030.
Chatham's limited EV charging stations have deterred potential EV buyers due to concerns about "range anxiety." Additionally, non-electric vehicles parking in EV charging stalls has posed a challenge, prompting consideration of pavement markings to enhance compliance.
The municipality's parking by-law currently only partially reserves these spaces for electric vehicles. As EV usage continues to rise, staff will monitor usage patterns and explore policy options to support EV charging. Financially, the charging stations have an annual lifecycle cost of approximately $25,000, which includes operation and maintenance expenses.
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WMBA's new digital scoreboard, leaving CMBA with negotiated terms
Chatham-Kent Council has given the green light for the Wallaceburg Minor Baseball Association (WMBA) to fundraise for the cost of a new electronic scoreboard at Andy Johnson Field at Kinsmen Park in Wallaceburg.
The General Manager of Infrastructure and Engineering Services will also work out an agreement with WMBA. This agreement will specify terms, such as WMBA's right to scoreboard advertising throughout its operation, granting access to other park users when permitted, allocating funding for maintenance and operation from the Parks, Recreation & Cemeteries budget until the scoreboard's end-of-life, and the potential for decommissioning when its useful life concludes.
However, discussions are ongoing regarding the Chatham Minor Baseball Association's claim to the scoreboards, including the possibility of adding their team logo to the digital scoreboard.
These negotiations will require the final approval of the Council.
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On-street parking removable for bike lanes
The motion for the removal of on-street parking from the south side of Indian Creek Road West between Lacroix Street and Howard Road in Chatham to accommodate bike lanes has been approved.
This action is taken to make way for bike lanes and improve the area's cycling infrastructure.
Additionally, the Traffic and Parking By-law 245-2004 will be modified to reflect these changes and address modifications related to the installation of No Parking signs along Indian Creek Road East and West, ensuring the by-law aligns with the on-road conditions.
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Motion to address hauling route concerns and enhance safety
Councillor Anthony Ceccacci of Ward 2 presented a motion for discussion and voting at the September 25th meeting to address concerns about the established waste hauling route to the Ridge landfill, where there has been an increase in large hauling trucks using alternate routes through the town.
This has resulted in safety and traffic issues.
Ceccacci is, therefore, pushing the council to resolve and review the existing by-law that establishes the haul route and consider improvements to ensure that trucks follow the approved haul road.
