‘Save The Beeton Woods’ meeting well attended
By Wendy Gabrek New Tecumseth Times
A group of concerned citizens came together tonight at the Beeton Library branch to discuss the impact of the removal of trees on a 9th Line property.
Banning together under the ‘Save The Beeton Woods’ Facebook banner, the meeting lasted three hours and more than 75 were in attendance.
The group, led by Carolyn Milne, Deanne Gardiner, Nicole Cox and Stephanie MacLellan, discussed several topics in relation to the removal of trees on private property in a highlands area just outside of Beeton proper; the chain of command relating to obtaining clear cutting permits (issued at the county level); the impact the removal of these trees could potentially have on the village of Beeton, including (but not limited to): flooding, endangered trees and animal species, archaeological treasurers; stress on the Beeton Creek (which could cause potential flooding issues for abutting landowners and schools); and stress on sewage lines running over top of aging infrastructure (bridges).
“Who dropped the ball?” was the main question asked, in relation to why a permit was issued by the County of Simcoe in the first place.
In one of the pictures linked to this article, is a map of Beeton which shows the woodlot in question. The penned circle represents the amount of forest already cut down – under a legal permit – by the Rizzardo family.
Attendees at tonights meeting suggest that the County violated its own by-law, #5635, in relation to clear cutting, as it did not inform the abutting land owners of the application to clear the trees – which include a variety known as ‘Butternut’ that is endangered; and that there was no public input session held in relation to the above mentioned application.
The group, which is going to vote on a new, permanent name (e-mail carolyn.milne@sympatico.ca to suggest a name to be included on the list of considerations) came up with a “wish list” by the meeting’s end. Included is:
1. A permanent group formation, with a formal organizational structure to update, inform and advocate on behalf of the residents in Beeton, especially as it concerns the matter at hand, and to encourage Tottenham and Alliston to form similar groups for future alliance;
2. A public consultation to be held with representatives from the County, NVCA, and the Mayor and Deputy Mayor of the Town of New Tecumseth (who are members of county council, and were not present when that council voted in favour of issuing the permit in question);
3. To obtain, through the Freedom of Information Act, a copy of the permit and related documents issued to ‘Beeton Estates’;
4. To inform the Town of New Tecumseth, through Beeton Councillor Richard Norcross (who was in attendance this evening), that the group wishes to receive regular written correspondence, by registered mail, on any future happenings at the site or in relation to this matter and that a clear “point person” at the Town should be made known;
5. To continue with door-to-door canvassing of Beeton to inform residents on what’s happening, and to get petitions into local stores for signature (in addition to the 1,000 signatures against the clear cutting of trees on the 9th Line, already collected through social media in one week) and to have the people of Beeton contact the Mayor and Deputy Mayor to ensure that the displeasure of the people is known;
6. To set a date to a future meeting (likely next week – TBA).
“We’re going to prove that they (the County) didn’t follow the process,” said one person in attendance.
“Who’s responsible for the remediation, if any is necessary?” said another.
The current situation, as updated by Councillor Norcross this evening, on the site is that all clear cutting of trees has stopped; the Rizzardo family is honouring the stop work order issued by the County this afternoon. Rizzardo now has 30-days to appeal the stop work order if they so choose.
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