Bluewater gets new bylaw enforcement schedule

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BLUEWATER – A new schedule is being implemented for Bluewater’s bylaw enforcement services.

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The schedule, which was presented to councillors during the May 15 council meeting, will see at least one full-time officer in Bluewater on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays, as well as a part-time officer on Fridays and Saturdays.

Development and protective services manager Aaron Stewardson said the schedule would allow Tenet Security Group, which provides bylaw enforcement for the municipality, to “dedicate some time to Bluewater” and ensure coverage for the municipality. He said most of the scheduled time would be used for following up on non-urgent bylaw complaints.

“This schedule further allows Tenet to co-ordinate their efforts with other municipalities they have contracts with,” said Stewardson. “It reduces costs for Bluewater because they’re in the area more frequently.

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In addition to the set times, Tenet will continue to be available for urgent matters at any time.

“It just brings them into the municipality at certain times,” said Stewardson. “It doesn’t mean these are the only times they will be in Bluewater. If there is an urgent matter that needs to be addressed, Tenet is always available, every day of the week.”

On the topic of specific problem areas in the municipality, Waterworks Road was identified as an area of concern where bylaw complaints are received. The road has previously been used as an area to access the beach, though Bluewater council restricted parking on its side of the road in 2021. The municipality shares jurisdiction over Waterworks Road with South Huron, and attention was drawn to the area in 2020 when overcrowding at the beach created parking hazards on the nearby Highway 21.

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Other council notes:

Hensall playground

The project to update playground equipment in Hensall and make it more accessible is moving forward.

A motion was passed by councillors during the meeting awarding the tender for the removal and replacement of playground equipment at Hensall’s Kinsmen Park to Blue Imp Recreational Products for just more than $112,000.

Though the Blue Imp bid for the project wasn’t the lowest received, it was ranked highest by staff on criteria that judged cost, design, experience and references, schedule and methodology.

As previously reported, the project has received $100,000 in funding from the Ontario Trillium Foundation, with the remaining balance being funded through the 2023 facilities department capital budget.

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Municipal staffers estimate that the new equipment will be installed in September.

Speed limits

Councillors passed a motion during the meeting reducing speed limits on Bayfield’s residential roads to 30 kilometres per hour.

The motion came after a previous council decision where councillors directed staff to prepare a bylaw that would introduce the reduction as a pilot project, which could one day be expanded to other Bluewater villages.

In addition to the Bayfield reductions, councillors approved a reduction to 30 km/h in school zones in Hensall and Zurich, including parts of York Street, Oxford Street, John Street, Mary Street and Fredrick Avenue.

According to a report from staff, signage for the reduced speed limits has been ordered and is expected to be installed by the end of May.

Impaired boating signage

Signs warning boaters about the dangers of impaired boating will be installed at the Bayfield Marina.

Councillors passed a motion supporting the installation of signage following a request from Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) Huron/Bruce.

In a letter to council, MADD Huron/Bruce president Brenda Orr informed councillors the organization would provide the signs at no cost to the municipality.

In addition to warnings against impaired boating, the signs will also feature the OPP and Bluewater logos.