The following are brief reports of items discussed at the Sept. 24 meeting of Dysart et al council.

Haliburton Village will have ice this winter.
With the Dysart arena under construction, council has decided to turn the baseball diamond into an outdoor skating rink.
The idea was suggested to members of council at their Sept. 24 meeting by parks and recreation director Ray Miscio.
Miscio suggested the diamond would be a suitable location for an outdoor rink as it has sufficient lighting, parking and seating. An accessible Porta-Potty will be made available.
Located next to the municipal office on Maple Avenue, the rink “will provide a location for residents and visitors to keep the spirit of skating alive in Haliburton,” wrote Miscio in his report to council.
“I think it’s a good idea,” said Dysart Reeve Murray Fearrey.
Miscio suggested the outdoor rink could also be used for Frost Festival activities, weather permitting.
The only financial impact the rink would have on the municipality is staff time, according to Miscio.
The parks and rec director said progress at the Dysart arena was moving along as planned and the project is set for a reopening date of January 2013.
Council passed a resolution approving the outdoor rink.

Council holds off
on committing to
transit proposal
Members of council are seeking additional information before putting their support behind a new transit service in Haliburton Village.
Darren Parberry of Metis Transit explained his proposal during a delegation, highlighting the benefits of a community based public transit operation.
Operating similar to a public transit system, Metis Transit would charge passengers a fare of $2 or $4, based on either the regular or express service.
The business would rely on advertising from local businesses, who could promote their business at a reasonable rate, said Parberry.
“I believe a transit system can make money and there is no need for expense,” said Parberry.
Prior to starting, Parberry said he would be conducting surveys throughout the municipality to establish what type of route would be offered and frequency. His vehicles would all be accessible.
Fearrey asked where Metis Transit was currently operating, to which Parberry said nowhere, however, he was putting the finishing touches on Peterborough County.
“How come your website has buses on it then? Isn’t that misleading?” asked Fearrey.
The website currently displays the design of a proposed bus, said Parberry.
The reeve asked if Parberry had received permission from the Ontario Highway Transit Board, to which Parberry said he needed the support from municipalities prior to obtaining this.
“So you don’t have any permission from anybody?” said Fearrey.
“Not yet,” said Parberry.
The reeve said he would like to investigate whether Parberry required permission from other bus license holders prior to lending Metis Transit council’s support.
“As far as I understand you need their permission and I’m not sure you’re going to get it,” said Fearrey.
Parberry has received support from Highlands East and support, in principle, from Algonquin Highlands, following delegations made last month. The municipality of Minden Hills is still reviewing the proposal.

Taxi spot is relocated along Highland Street
Following a request from Hyland Taxi for an additional parking spot, council has decided to move the current taxi stand on Highland Street.
“I don’t know whether a second spot is warranted,” said public works director Brian Nicholson.
Nicholson said the current spot, in front of the CIBC on Highland Street, is an obstruction to large trucks trying to turn from Maple Avenue.
Fearrey recommended the taxi spot be relocated further north on Highland Street, in front of Rexall. The move is a permanent one.
Council passed a resolution changing the location of the parking spot.