By Chad Ingram

Published Nov. 2 2017

The following are brief reports of items discussed during an  Oct. 26 meeting of Minden Hills council.

Councillors heard a report from members of the county’s aging well committee detailing a number of suggestions to make Minden more accessible and pedestrian-friendly.
A number of seniors are concerned about the slope of the sidewalk near the CIBC in Minden’s downtown.
“The slope of the sidewalk at the corner of Bobcaygeon Road and Newcastle Street at the CIBC building to the curb is very steep and difficult to negotiate with an assistive device and seniors questioned whether or not it is compliant with current accessibility and/or Ontario Building Code requirements for the slope” the report reads. “It feels unsafe particularly in icy conditions during the winter.”
The report also highlighted a lack of designated pedestrian space along Pritchard Lane in the municipal parking lot; a lack of pedestrian facilities leading from the front entranceway of the Agnes Jamieson Gallery to the parking lot at the Minden Hills Cultural Centre; poor sight lines at the intersection of Bobcaygeon Road and Water Street; the need for an appropriate location for a legal pedestrian crossing along the downtown stretch of Bobcaygeon Road; as well as snow-clearing at the emergency exits at the Staanworth apartment buildings.
Mayor Brent Devolin thanked members for their presentation of what he said was a wide-reaching document. Devolin said some areas include provincial responsibility and regarding the Staanworth buildings pointed out they are operated by a non-profit organization that is overseen by the City of Kawartha Lakes.
The committee is also recommending the organization of walking meetings between members and municipal staff to discuss site-specific issues.

Name change official

After discussing the issue earlier this fall councillors passed a bylaw changing the title of the head of council in Minden Hills from reeve to mayor and its deputy-reeve to deputy-mayor. Councillors agreed the more modern term is more recognizable to most people. The move makes Minden Hills the second of Haliburton County’s four lower-tier municipalities to adopt the title of mayor. Algonquin Highlands council made the switch in July and in Dysart et al councillors have also agreed to an upcoming title change. In Highlands East the council is polling the public on what it would like to see in terms of the title.