Follow Alexis and Kim on a nature walk through Medway Valley Natural Heritage Forest in London, Ontario. The Medway Valley Natural Heritage Forest is one of London’s Environmentally Significant Areas that the Upper Thames River Conservation Authority manages under contract for the City of London.
2021 Infrastructure Reconstruction Projects
A report came out on Wednesday on 2021 road reconstruction projects, including sidewalks for Abbey Rise and Friars Way and maybe Doncaster Place. This will be going to a committee of city council on Tuesday next week. Apparently this is the only time this committee is scheduled to consider the matter.
* Recommendation for one-sided sidewalk based on conflicts with mature trees, right-of-way widths and property impacts.If you want to speak to the Committee, anyone can request a delegation regarding this by submitting a request in writing, in this case, to cwc@london.ca. The request must be submitted by the Added Agenda deadline, which is Monday, February 8 at 9 a.m. The Committee would have to approve the request. I would suggest if your street has a spokesperson, that person request delegation status for the group. The City Clerk advises that if there is a request for delegation received by the Added Agenda deadline the Clerk would reach out to the individual and send them a Zoom invite to the meeting. If the Committee approves the delegation then the person(s) would then be allowed into the meeting to speak.
Anyone can watch the proceedings on the city’s web stream. Please note the meeting starts at noon on Tuesday and this item would be heard near the start of the meeting.A Member of the public could also request in writing by the Added Agenda deadline, that the matter be referred back for further input from the public. Of course a Committee Member could also recommend referral of the matter. If you wish to suggest this in your note, specify the street to be referred back.
In summary, write CWC@london.ca no later than 9 am on Monday, February 8. Ask that your note appear on the added agenda for the meeting of Feb 9 regarding item 2.6. If you wish delegation status include that request as well. I suggest you copy the members of the committee (noted following), with a copy to our Councillor, Phil Squire. The Committee recommendations are scheduled to be debated by the full Council on February 23rd.
The e mail addresses of Councillors is found at this site: https://london.ca/council-contact-list
- E. Peloza (Chair),
- J. Helmer,
- M. Cassidy,
- P. Van Meerbergen,
- S. Turner,
- Mayor E. Holder
A report will be going to the same committee of City Council on Tuesday regarding the upcoming replacement of the storm sewer outfall at the foot of Metamora (at an entrance into the Medway Valley Heritage Forest Environmentally Significant Area). While the project is underway, the trail entrance will be closed. Restoration work will occur to revegetate the disturbed areas.
Gypsy Moths
Here are a couple of web sites about gypsy moths and what you can do to slow them down before spring. A number of hickory trees in the neighbourhood had these insects last year. Keep an eye out.
https://getinvolved.london.ca/gypsy-moth
https://london.ca/living-london/water-environment/trees/invasive-species/gypsy-moth
January News
Road Work and Storm Sewers Repairs
We have not heard any updates about any planned road work and storm sewer work for this year. Last year, February was when residents got letters in the mail from the City about projects on their street. Keep an eye on your mail.
The city plans storm sewer remediation work in the area of the Metamora entrance to the Medway Valley Environmentally Significant Area. There will be a notice mailed to nearby residents and we will circulate the City notice more widely. We have suggested to city staff that they hold a virtual open house before the full project starts. The first part of the project requires tree removals; however replantings are a requirement. Stay tuned for details.
Porch Thieves
You are probably aware that with all the deliveries to home, some sneak thieves are around. Not all delivery people ring a bell when they drop off a package. Keep an eye out if you are out and about.
New Residents
You may have noticed a lot of new activity around the new development next to Sherwood Forest Park. Looks like a number of new neighbours are arriving. If you see a house that sells in the area, let us know so that we can arrange for a welcome package for them.
Annual BBQ and AGM
The Ratepayer Executive will be discussing the timing of our annual BBQ and AGM.
City is Looking for Input
There are a couple of requests for input from the City of London. If you go to the getinvolved.london.ca you will see requests for input on the upcoming green bin program (the city is required to do this as a condition of getting approval to expand the landfill) and the development of a climate emergency action plan.
COVID-19 ORDER VIOLATION CALL LINE
COVIDOrderConcerns@london.ca is monitored 24/7.
The email COVIDOrderConcerns@london.ca will be monitored 24/7. There is also a phone line (519-661-4660) that will be monitored between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday to Friday.
To report COVID-19 order violation concerns about businesses and individuals who are not following COVID-19 related orders now have a way to report those concerns. The City of London, working with London Police Service and the Middlesex-London Health Unit have established a process to act on concerns that are reported.
By-laws – enforcement, untidy properties, noise complaints
Tel: 519-661-4660 | enforcement@london.ca
After Hours for urgent matters: 519-661-4965
NON-EMERGENCY CONTACTS
Police: 519-661-5670
Fire: 519-661-2500 ext. 4565
Call 911 if there is: a medical emergency • a fire • a crime in progress
Trail Closure
You may have seen a Trail Closure notice at the Metamora bridge in the Medway. We have already indicated to the city staff involved that the community supports repairing the bridge. However, because the bridge has been deemed structurally unstable, the City is required to close approaches to the bridge. We have been told that the area shown on the map that is closed includes the entrance to the Valley that is behind the Monastery because the City cannot direct users to private properties.
If you have any questions, feel free to contact city staff directly as per the information on the attached, or we can pass along comments and replies.
Results of Halloween Survey
Here are the results of the OPSF Halloween Survey.
It seems like most people in our neighbourhood who answered the survey like to participate in Halloween, but it won’t be as busy a night this year for participation.
Here is a spreadsheet with three tabs showing the results of the survey questions as well as a grouping of the open-ended comments.
207 respondents answered the survey. (There are approximately 900 households in the neighborhood and about 500 people are on the e mail list).
The comments indicate that it is a pretty close split between don’t do it and leave treats out, or handing out via social distancing. Also, many people have ideas about their own parties etc.
So it seems like Halloween will happen in our area for those who want to participate – which will largely be by leaving out treats or social distancing. Likely there will be fewer kids participating this year given the families who report they want to do their own event with a few friends or just their family.
Orchard Park Sherwood Forest Halloween Survey final results