211017 Parks, Beautification and Cemeteries Advisory Committee NOTESPage 1 of 3
The Corporation of the Town of Tillsonburg
Parks, Beautification and Cemeteries Advisory Committee
October 7, 2021
9:00 a.m.
Hybrid
MINUTES
1. Call to Order
There was no quorum for the meeting a general discussion followed, to be further
addressed at the next meeting and/or resolutions to council:
In attendance: Penny Esseltine, Christine Nagy, Paul DeCloet, Donna Scanlan, Marian Smith
Staff: Christopher Baird, Matt Johnson, Margaret Puhr
Budget considerations for next year:
- Paul would like minimize grass cutting near the recovered cottonwood trees for
now to let them get better established
- There is a concern about needles in the Library Lane area from citizens –
proposed outdoor sharps disposals. The needles are concern in other areas as
well
- Bert Newman gazebo has been recognized as a project, but not on the list as
priority due to high volume of more urgent projects. Likely a candidate for 2023
- Christine proposes leasing a greenhouse at Garden Gate dedicated to just plant
and flower nursery to the Town
- Operating budget has tree planting in it, staff are on the lookout for any grant
opportunities as well
- Installation of digital sign with information on upcoming funerals, decoration days
near the office
- New columbarium should be in the next budget
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Accomplishments of the department
- Trans Canada trail grant of $100K to pave the trail from Tillson Ave to Quarterline
Road – 2m wide in partnership with engineering department. The train tressle
over the 4th trail was left off due to weight restrictions but will form part of an
overall plan to construct a switchback pedestrian walkway between the lower 4 th
to North trail link.
- There is a new connection from the Northcrest Estates and the connection will
continue to rolling meadows subdivision where a new park will be created in the
future. The developer will pay for this and some play structures will be included
as well, benches, pathways. Northcrest will also have a small playground in the
new parkette as well as trees, light, benches and pathways.
- Empire sealing and paving approached town in spring wanting to donate paving
to town. A path near the tennis courts was paved and the Rotary Club who has a
tree nursery in that area will be planting them around the park area they adopted.
The Rotary is also looking at extending a path from the tennis courts southward
to the parking area
- Courtland Gardens donated 20 trees for their 20 th anniversary, these were
planted near the McLaughlin trail
- There were over 20 trees planted around the Sam Lamb field
- 30 trees planted in the cemetery, with lots of flowering trees
- Old hydro poles were removed from memorial park
- Altogether close to 100 trees were planted around Town in 2021
- Up until now new developers were not required to plant any trees, this was
changed and all new developers have to submit a plan and plant diverse natural
species in new developments going forward
- Many new communities are establishing a tree nursery. Staff are investigating
potential locations in memorial park that could be managed by volunteers for a
sustainable tree planting program. The committee is invited to propose other
areas.
- Propose some naturalized areas with remedial measures to support the growth
of seedlings and small trees
- Cemetery: committee provided consultation on the new ce metery by-law which
BAO endorsed
- The south side of cemetery has newly re-surfaced laneways, next year the rest of
the cemetery lanes are to be completed
- There was some work done to the cemetery office to make it more professional.
Staff are very proud of their work
- The Catholic area of cemetery with partnership with Knights was renovated and
upgraded
- New section of cemetery was opened near the rail tracks
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Other items discussed
- Downtown fall planters are not looking good, BIA should be asked to spruce
them up or at least take out the overgrown plants
- Christine offered money to BIA for fall mums from Horticultural Society
- Should there be focus on parks and beautification with cemetery becoming a
separate committee to focus on individual areas where the committee members
are fully engaged and a defined mandate – this could be a recommendation to
council along with the annual report card
- Proposal to ask the funeral directors how they feel about separate committees
- Penny would like to notify the community about t he new by-law and new rules
around cemetery flowers and beautification. Better notification and
communication for next year now that the by-law has been implemented.
- Allison at the cemetery has more hours and is able to support the parks and
cemetery team
- Proposed review of TOR of the committee before end of term and propose to
council any changes to the next term of council and committee
- The cemetery sign may be in need of replacement – perhaps the cemetery
master plan update can include new sign as well as flat marker area,
columbarium expansion
- There was discussion about the need to trim/remove/replace some of the trees
flowerbed and shrubs on the Annandale House grounds. Chris will discuss with
Matt and Patty as there are some shrubs of significance that should not be
trimmed or removed due to their historical significance.
The meeting of Beautification and Cemeteries Advisory Committee meeting ended
at 10:40 a.m.
Please contact the Staff Liaison listed below to gain access to this electronic
meeting:
Contact
Margaret Puhr
mpuhr@tillsonburg.ca
519-688-3009 ext.4202