Backyard burning, dogs and parking up for review by Sidney committee A review of three bylaws will be done by a Sidney council commit- tee, following a letter from a resident complaining about back- yard burning, loose dogs and unsightly parking. Dorothy Rouse asked council to ban backyard burning because “we are unable to enjoy the pleas- ure of sitting out on our deck and because of the stench pervading our home we have to keep all doors and windows closed.” Rouse said she lives near two houses where rubbish is constantly bummed, especially when the wind blows the smoke away. Ald. John Calder told committee Jan. 21 that the previous council had looked at the problem before and he believes that allowed burn- ing for 12 hours per day — from 8 a.m. till 8 p.m. — Is excessive. “A person can light a fire first thing in the morning and let it simmer all day,” Calder said. Encouraging a CRD composting program would help the problem, he said. A staff report said that if burn- ing was banned, the resulting problems could be that more site space will be taken up at the Hartland Road landfill site, and that if the material is not hauled away, properties will be left unsightly. Ald. Don Amos suggested the burning bylaw go to committee for review and consideration of per- mits and further restrictions. A committee will also look at dog licences and fees, following Rouse’s complaint of loose dogs attacking her leashed dog... “I have a small dog who is always leashed and he has been attacked four times and telling the Owners is pointless,” she said. Mayor Marie Rosko said that enforcement of the Town’s bylaw can be difficult, although the SPCA does a “commendable job” fulfilling its contract for catching loose dogs. Ald. Yed Daly referred to an election promise he made at an all candidates meeting prior to the November municipal election and said: “Dogs will always be a pet peeve of mine, as long as people in my subdivision head down our Way.” Daly suggested that items for review include fees for pickup, fence requirements and staff time spent on animal control. Calder agreed, stating that ani- mals must be on a leash. “He has 50 per cent of the problem, because I have 50 per cent,” Calder said. ~ What annoys me is people who drive to my neighborhood, then let the dog ont.” Ald. Brenda Harfield quipped: “In my neighborhood they stay penned up and bark.” __. Committee will_also. review as parking bylaw, following Rouse’s complaint that © once neat and tidy are now looking like used car lots. She asked if “something could be done to abolish the countless RYs, boats and cars people park i ea : wes drives: and on as “streets: that were - ~ someone is looking,” by Mare Davis The Review Exactly two years since safety measures at the Mt. Newton Mid- dle School were found to be inade- quate, the school is still waiting for fire separation doors and more smoke detectors. Some of the recommendations of Regional Fire Commissioner’s Office inspector Al Smith have been carried out but the school is still a fire trap, several parents told Central Saanich council, Monday. “What does it take to get smoke detectors in all parts of the school?,”’ angry parent Janice Fisher said. “Tl go out and buy one if need be.” Fisher was responding to com- ments by Central Saanich fire Chief Bruce Elvedahl, who said he didn’t know how many areas of the school were still without smoke detectors. But Ald. lan Cameron, a teacher, said he agreed fire safety hazards should be addressed immediately but a shortage of smoke detectors should not be a major concem. Any fire during school hours ~would be quickly discovered in a packed school, Cameron said. “The best fire detector in a school is the fact that everywhere he said. “Tt’s not that the kids are at risk. - | really don’t think they are.” However Cameron joined a chorus among aldermen who ‘voiced alarm that the school still doesn’t have fire separation doors. The Regional Fire Commis- mers Office recommended on ot 29, 1989. that fire Separations : OUR INNOVATIVE RETIREMENT VILLAGE OFFERS AN EXCITING LIFESTYLE...... ..... WHETHER IT’S FLOWER ARRANGING OR CARPET BOWLING...... THINGS ARE ALWAYS “BUSY” AT THE BEECHWOOD — Iv’S RETIREMENT LIVING AS IT SHOULD BE eee doors be installed in the school. Elvedah! said fire safety impro- vements have been slow to come — about because of uncertainty about the future of the school. “Tt was the opinion of this office it would be impractical to impose hundreds of thousands of dollars of cost to major up-grade, when in fact it may be demolished in a couple of years,” Elvedahl said in a letter to council. Ald. Arlene Box said if the school must stay in use for another Wiednesay Janay 30,1991 — AZ Fire safety inadequate at Mt. Newton two years, then the safety of the Students must override any cost considerations. Ald. Clarence Bolt agreed, say- ing: ~ Right now this is a death trap if a fire ever broke out.” Elvedahl said he didn’t agree with Bolt’s comment because fire drills have proved it takes only. about two minutes to evacuate all 665 students from the school, which is an “excellent” response time. 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