Patrick Raftis

MAPLETON – Signs of human trafficking may not be visible on the streets of Wellington County towns and villages, but the victims are coming from local communities and awareness is essential to prevention.

MAPLETON – The township has agreed to participate in a cost of community services study in cooperation with the Ontario Federation of Agriculture (OFA). Council agreed to participate in the study, if selected, following a presentation from OFA officials at the July 13 council meeting.

MAPLETON – Council here will consider lowering speed limits around local schools and parks and implementing “traffic calming” measures around the municipality.

MINTO – Town council has approved a staff report outlining spending plans for about $350,000 in provincial and federal funds remaining from various programs.

MAPLETON – An administrative assistant position will be added to the township’s building department, after council approved the staffing increase on July 13.

PALMERSTON – The Town of Minto has approved a plan to bring some dormant local history back to life here.

MINTO – Town council has authorized staff to implement a public education campaign aimed at encouraging safe and considerate use of fireworks in the municipality.

MINTO – While modern equipment and up-to-date training are key to operating a successful fire department, there’s still no substitute for experience. Minto Fire has that in good supply, including two firefighters with a combined total of more than 90 years on the job.

MINTO – Council has approved a land sale to an Orangeville-based developer planning to construct an industrial mall in Palmerston. The sale of a 3.6-acre  parcel of land at 345 Minto Road to Golden Canadian Homes for $126,000 was approved at the July 13 Minto council meeting.

MAPLETON – Township council has officially registered its objection to a move by Wellington County to divert truck traffic away from Fergus on Highway 6 to Wellington Roads 7 and 17.

HARRISTON – An Ontario Superior Court ruling in a dispute between Harriston residents Rolf and Kerri Schuettel and the Town of Minto and its chief building official Terry Kuipers came down largely in favour of the municipality.

MAPLETON – Skyrocketing prices for materials have driven up the cost of constructing a water tower in Drayton. Township council has awarded a contract to Landmark Structure Co. to put up an elevated tank in Drayton.

MAPLETON – Council here directed staff to move forward with an application to Infrastructure Canada’s Green and Inclusive Community Buildings Fund to cover most of the cost of proposed upgrades to the PMD arena.

MAPLETON – Officials from Mapleton Township and Mapleton Fire Rescue teamed up to offer Canada Day Bags for the July 1 holiday.

WELLINGTON COUNTY – A group of concerned citizens is planning to bring their objections about a new Fergus truck bypass to the county. Group says "absence of communication, consultation and notification to any impacted residents and businesses is unacceptable."