Meeting commenced at 7:30 PM

Approximately 20 attendees

 

A)        York Region Police Constable Brett Kemp was available to answer questions related to community concerns:

-        Traffic was the number one issue, followed by youth concerns

-        He had looked into recent crime activity in our community and found the following: 

Drugs – none recently

Break and enters          – none recently

Youth complaints        – unknown

-   lower priority issue, however 2x per week, all parks are patrolled on bike and this is proving to be effective – up to 16 drug arrests in a 6 hour period

 

-                  Discussed Break and Entry prevention

 

-                  Fern traffic and  Bayview South bound turn restriction -  acknowledged inconvenience, police use discretion

 

Questions and Concerns from attendees:

 

-                  Expressed concern about exiting at North end of Fern onto Bayview – nothing planned at present as there are already numerous lights

 

-                  Neighbourhood Watch program – PC Kemp willing to provide start-up information if requested

 

-                  Graffitti – indicated that police had zero tolerance approach. Constable Mark Alterman (Badge # 531) was responsible for gang related activities

 

 

B)        Observatory Lands:

 

-                  Bert Pieke gave overview of the meeting with Joe Di Paola – June 28^th, regarding potential disposition of Observatory lands.

-                  opinions and support from community was solicited to identify possible solutions (volunteers required)

-       many concerns that there isn’t sufficient infrastructure to support development on those lands

-                  many felt that we should approach the town with concerns about forests and wildlife conservation

-                  concerns about traffic

-                  some felt that we should contact U or T

-                  Len Duchak of 9 Wilfred Ct was concerned about how development has been handled in Richmond Hill and felt that we should talk to Bayview Hill and Hillsview residents to make them aware of the situation if they are not already, and we should contact the lobbyists who were involved in the Oak Ridges Moraine situation, for guidance

 

 

C)             Beautification of entrances to the community:

 

-                  A large planter has been installed at the south entrance and we are investigating a cost-sharing option with the town to provide further enhancements

 

-                  Traffic calming options, such as speed bumps on Fern, were discussed

 

-                  Traffic sensors at the North exit to control timing of lights on Bayview for easier exit

 

 

D)             OHHA website e-mail:

 

-                  Communications from community members are welcome - the most effective way to keep in touch is through e-mail.

 

 

E)              Social event in Gapper Park:

 

-                  This was brought up at the last meeting but there has not been much community response. The OHHA is willing to assist financially if volunteers wish to take the initiative.

 

F)              Graffitti:

 

-                  OHHA will continue to pursue, with Bell, Rogers, Canada Post, etc., as to who is responsible for removing the graffiti

 

-                  OHHA will try to determine who is responsible for removing graffiti along the brick walls on 16^th Avenue.

 

 

G)             Other concerns and questions from attendees:

 

-                  A number of people were concerned about home-based businesses and related signage on front lawns

-                  Others were concerned about what appeared to be “mini-car dealerships” in driveways.

 

Bert encouraged homeowners to call the Town’s By-law enforcement department with individual complaints first.  If the Town is not responsive,  OHHA will take up the cause if warranted.

 

 

 

 

 

H)             Volunteers:

 

The following people offered to assist on a limited basis:

     

Nicole Robichaud,  9 Cygnus  (905) 737-8551

Anne Dalla Rosa, 29 Cygnus   (905)  884-8360

 

 

 

 

Meeting adjourned at 9:05 PM