Updates On Ward Issues

Updates On ... Don Mills Road Construction delivered by the Works Dept.

This re-paving project has undergone many delays. Originally scheduled to finish by the end of September, there is still work being done. Recently, City staff were informed that the paving contractor has gone into receivership. City Legal staff are busy working with a bonding company to get clearance to complete this work. In the meantime, Transportation staff are keeping an eye on the site to make sure that it is safe for pedestrians.

Works and Emergency Services staff will be completing all of the concrete work except for the proposed concrete median at Van Horne, and all driveway and boulevard paving before the end of next week. This includes the road widening work in front of the Petro Canada gas station. Surface course asphalt paving will most probably happen in Spring 2005 as the weather is not suitable for now. All raised maintenance holes will be lowered and some of the catch basins will also be lowered where required to facilitate drainage. There will be temporary paving along the edge of the concrete gutter and around the catch basins from Van Horne to Finch and wherever there is a sharp drop in the pavement. The site will be cleaned up and made safe prior to closing down for winter.

Contact:

Samuel Jebakumar, P. Eng - Works & Emergency Services 416-395-6395 / mailto:sjebakum@toronto.ca

Updates On ... Illegal Signs on Public Property

This continues to be a big problem in Ward 33. Please continue to let us know of specific locations so that Municipal Licensing Staff can remove them and properly enforce the bylaws.

Updates On ... Shaughnessy Pathway

City Real Estate Staff are continuing negotiations purchasing necessary easements from area property owners. We hope to have this resolved and the pathway opened up to accommodate residents on Shaughnessy Blvd. sometime in the New Year.

Updates On ... Eucan Litter Bins

Silver recycling boxes (Eucan bins) have replaced the majority of litter bins in Toronto. The bins, designed to reduce litter and increase recycling, have three separate compartments to accept waste, recyclable paper, and containers such as soft drink cans and bottles. Thousands of these bins are in place across the city.

As well as providing people the opportunity to recycle on the go, the bins provide a number of other benefits, including improved aesthetics with a clean stainless steel design and avoided costs to the taxpayer, as all units are provided by Eucan free of charge to the City. The city shares in the revenue from the sale of advertising messages contained on the side panel of each unit.

Ward 33 will be part of the pilot project for the new Eucan litter bins. Works staff, in consultation with our office, has designated 3 spots for the bins. The sites chosen are: Sheppard Avenue East at Brian Drive, Finch Avenue East at Leslie Street, and Don Mills Road at Van Horne Avenue (pending).

Installation should begin in March 2005. We encourage your feedback on this pilot project either to our office or the advertised telephone numbers on the bins.

Updates On ... Zion Schoolhouse Pathway

After much meeting and negotiation, we have approval for four new safely lights on the path leading from Finch Avenue East to Angus Drive. They will be installed in the early spring. In the meantime, Forestry Staff have inspected the area and have pruned the trees back so that it improves the visibility on the path and in the general area.

Updates On ... 33 Divison - Elder Abuse Initiative

Over the past year, officers at 33 Division have seen an increase in this horrendous, often silent crime. With the support of senior staff, they have developed an Elder Abuse Protocol to address this particular issue. In conjunction with the Community Police Liaison Committee at 33 Division and officers at 33 Division, an Elder Abuse Symposium took place on November 2, 2004. Local agencies, health care workers, lawyers, doctors and accountants were all present and our eyes were opened very widely as a case study was presented.

If you are a victim or suspect someone of being a victim of Elder Abuse, we ask you to please report it to either police or call anomymously to the Senior Crime Stoppers Line

33 Police Division: 416-808-3395 / Senior Crime Stoppers: 416-222-8477

Updates On: Garbage Collection Schedule for Christmas Trees

Please note that Christmas trees will be collected the first two weeks of January, on a regular collection day. For example, if a resident's regular collection day is Tuesday, we will pick up the tree on a Tuesday. This information is also outlined in the collection calendars.

Should residents have any additional questions on collection scheduling, please contact the customer service line at 416-338-2010.