190704 PBC MIN The Corporation of the Town of Tillsonburg
Parks, Beautification and
Cemetery Advisory Committee
July 4, 2019
9:00 a.m.
Suite 203, 200 Broadway, 2nd Floor
MINUTES
Present: Paul DeCloet, Bob Marsden, Christine Nagy, Donna Scanlan, Maurice
Verhoeve, Marian Smith, Sue Saelens, Penny Esseltine & Mike Dean
Absent with Regrets: Ken Butcher & Paul Wareing
Also Present: Corey Hill
1. Call to Order
The meeting was called to order at 9:02 a.m.
2. Adoption of Agenda
Resolution #1
Moved by: Bob Marsden
Seconded by: Penny Esseltine
THAT the Agenda as prepared for the Parks, Beautification and Cemetery Advisory
Committee meeting of July 4, 2019, be adopted.
Carried
3. Disclosures of Pecuniary Interest and the General Nature Thereof
There were no disclosures of pecuniary interest declared.
4. Adoption of Minutes of Previous Meeting
Resolution #2
Moved by: Marian Smith
Seconded by: Sue Saelens
THAT the Parks, Beautification and Cemetery Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes of June
6, 2019, be approved.
Carried
5. Presentations/Deputations
None
6. General Business & Reports
6.1. Cemetery – By-law Violation – Corey Hill
Corey Hill, Committee Staff Liaison, provided that on June 11, 2019, Cemetery staff
observed a wooden pergola that had been constructed within the Cemetery. The
pergola was built over the Lonsbary family monument without prior communication
and/or approval from the Town. This issue was reviewed within the Recreation, Culture
& Parks Leadership team. On June 12, 2019, Corey Hill, Manager of Parks & Facilities,
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Date: July 4, 2019
spoke with Les Lonsbary about the pergola. Mr.Lonsbary acknowledged that he built
the structure and that he did not seek prior permission and/or approval from the
Cemetery Office or any Town Staff. Staff explained that the pergola was deemed to be
“not in keeping with the respect and dignity” of the Cemetery as per Cemetery By-Law
#3640, section “F” and as such, requested Mr. Lonsbary to remove the structure.
Mr.Lonsbary replied that he would not be removing the pergola and requested the
process to challenge the By-Law interpretation. Staff explained that t he By-Law
permitted Town Staff to remove the structure right away, however given the sensitivity
of the location Staff would leave the pergola in place until this matter had been more
formally addressed.
Committee members discussed concerns including want ing a consistent look to the
Cemetery, that wooden structures and memorial/monuments are not permitted as per
the By-Law, that there was no advanced permission and/or approval obtained prior to
building the structure, that this may set a precedent and more structures could appear
in the Cemetery and that the pergola was not in keeping with the respect and dignity of
the Cemetery. Mr. Lonsbary was present at the meeting and addressed the Committee
as to his reasoning for constructing the pergola and how the structure would be
permitted as per his interpretation of By-law #3640.
Resolution #3
Moved by: Penny Esseltine
Seconded by: Sue Saelens
THAT the Parks, Beautification & Cemetery Advisory Committee recommends Council
adhere to the Cemetery By-Law #3640 and direct the removal of a wooden pergola
which was installed over a monument within the Cemetery without prior authorization
from the Town.
Carried
6.2. Keep Tillsonburg Beautiful/Trails Festival Event Subcommittee Final
Report – Sue Saelens
Sue Saelens, Chair of the Keep Tillsonburg Beautiful/Oxford Trails Festival Event Sub -
Committee, provided the Committee with a final summary of the June 2nd event
including recommendations for any future events.
6.3. Scattering Gardens Sub-Committee Report – Ken Butcher;
In Ken’s absence, Corey Hill, Committee Staff Liaison, outlined that the sub-committee
last met on June 27th and that Ken Butcher was sending out the finalized version of the
questionnaire and a list of Cemeteries for Subcommittee members to contact. T he next
sub-committee meeting is scheduled for July 25th, 2019.
6.4. Cemetery Bylaw (#3640) Revisions;
The Committee discussed the Bereavement Authority of Ontario’s (BAO) guide to
developing a Cemetery By-law and how it applied to the “General Information” section of
the current By-law. Discussions were cut short due to meeting duration and will
continue at next meeting
Committee: Parks, Beautification and Cemetery Advisory Committee Page - 3 - of 3
Date: July 4, 2019
6.5 Carrol Trail Enhancements;
This item was deferred until the next meeting due to time.
7. Correspondence
None
8. Other Business
8.1 Cemetery
It was mentioned that the Cemetery signage should be discussed at a future meeting
and/or as a part of the By-law revisions and that the grass in the Cemetery is in need of
cutting and trimming.
9. Next Meeting
Thursday, July 4th, 2019, at 9:00a.m.at the Corporate Office Annex Suite 203 meeting room.
10. Adjournment
Resolution #4
Moved by: Marian Smith
Seconded by: Donna Scanlan
THAT the Ju ly 4, 2019 Parks, Beautification and Cemetery Advisory Committee meeting be
adjourned at 10:02 a.m.
Carried