Giant Hogweed on Town Propery

As warmer weather is now approaching Town of Halton Hills staff will once again be vigilant in their efforts to control and destroy Giant Hogweed, an invasive noxious plant species.

This plant produces a clear, toxic watery sap that can cause severe skin reactions commonly known as photosensitivity. It is important that people do not touch or attempt to remove this plant without ensuring they are totally protected against contact from the sap. If you are unsure of how to deal with this plant you should avoid it altogether, and contact a licensed weed control company.

This is an invasive species that has the potential to cause severe reactions to residents who come in contact with the plant’s sap. I encourage everyone to contact the proper authorities should they discover the weed on Town or their property. The best course of action in dealing with this plant is to avoid it if possible. Valuable information is available from the Halton Region Conservation Authority and I would encourage anyone who has knowledge of the presence of this plant to contact the HRCA or the Town of Halton Hills to have this invasive weed removed.

Last year a large test site on the Third Line near the Scotch Block reservoir was set up by the Chief Weed Inspector of Ontario and the University of Guelph to determine the most effective means to destroy this plant using selective herbicides.

Now that the test has been completed along the Third Line, near the Scotch Block reservoir, the Town will destroy the Giant Hogweed within the road allowance. The` timing of the work will be weather dependent and staff expects to have this completed by the end of May. Signage will be placed prior to the work being undertaken as set out in the Town of Halton Hills Pesticide Application in Turf Areas policy.

Further information on the Giant Hogweed is available from Conservation Halton at www.conservationhalton.on.ca ,or through the Provincial web site at www.weedinfo.ca .

If you have Giant Hogweed on your property, lawn care companies are licensed to spray herbicides that can assist in eradicating this noxious weed.

If you find Giant Hogweed on Town property, please contact the Town of Halton Hills Infrastructure Services Department at (905) 873-2601, extension 2603. The Town will take appropriate actions to destroy the Giant Hogweed.

Smart Commute Arrives in Halton Hills

On May 3, 2011, Smart Commute Halton officially welcomed the Town of Halton Hills into the Smart Commute family of organizations and businesses committed to encouraging more sustainable travel options.

Smart Commute is a joint venture between Metrolinx and area municipalities. It is a transportation demand management program focused on reducing traffic congestion, improving air quality, providing more sustainable travel options and reducing commuting costs. At present, more than 170 employers, with a total of 355,000 employees, have joined Smart Commute. Members of the public can also access free Smart Commute services, especially the Carpool Zone – an online ride-matching service: www.smartcommute.ca

Speaking about the Town’s participation in Smart Commute, Mayor Bonnette said:

"Our participation in Smart Commute is yet another practical example of the Town’s ongoing commitment to sustainability and Green Plan implementation. Through Smart Commute, we are helping our employees take advantage of more environmentally-responsible commuting options, reduce their carbon footprint and reduce commuting costs. The Town of Halton Hills has always been an environmental leader. This program is just a continuation of our efforts.”

Alicia Jakaitis, Program Manager for Smart Commute Halton, commented:

"We have all experienced the stress and frustration facing commuters in the Greater Toronto Area. When environmental leaders like the Town of Halton Hills partner with Smart Commute, they demonstrate the proactive role that employers can take to make commuting easier for their employees."

In welcoming Halton Hills to the Smart Commute family, Smart Commute Halton hosted a staff engagement event on May 3rd to recognize the Town’s commitment to reducing congestion, being an environmental leader, and to increase awareness of the program. The event featured an official presentation of one of the Town’s new dedicated carpool parking signs by Smart Commute Halton to Mayor Bonnette. In addition, to highlight carpooling as a ‘green’ commuting option, one of the parking spaces was temporarily converted into a ‘park’.

Participation in Smart Commute helps implement recommendations of the Town’s Green Plan. For example, Recommendation #66 of the Green Plan calls on the Town to work with other proactive organizations to improve the environment. Participation in Smart Commute is one way of implementing this recommendation. The Green Plan also references the need to address greenhouse gas emissions and improve air quality. Reducing the number of single occupancy vehicle trips taken by Town staff by providing sustainable transportation options through Smart Commute is one means of achieving this.

About Smart Commute Halton and Benefits

Smart Commute Halton is a program of Halton Region with funding and support from Metrolinx and Halton Region. Smart Commute Halton currently services ten local employers with more than 7,000 employees.

Benefits of participating in Smart Commute include reduced on-site parking demand, decreased facility costs, reduced traffic congestion, lower greenhouse gas emissions, improved employee retention and improved productivity. Benefits to employees include improved transportation options, travel cost savings, improved health, and enhanced access and mobility options.

For more information on the Town’s sustainability initiatives, please contact Damian Szybalski (Sustainability Coordinator) at 905.873.2601 ext. 2289 or visit www.haltonhills.ca/sustainability. Businesses and organizations interested in joining Smart Commute are invited to contact Alicia Jakaitis (Program Manager, Smart Commute Halton) at 905.825.6000 ext. 7556 or Alicia.jakaitis@halton.ca