Village Squire, 1980-04, Page 13have a maintenance standard by-law.
(Exeter passed one last year.) The munic-
ipal government must agree with what is
being done, and plans must be drawn up to
show the improvements the community
intends to make to its main street.
On December 7, 1979, the OMB officially
accepted the main street plan of Exeter's
BIA; it was felt to be one of the best
presentations received thus far. The BIA
formed a separate committee to work on
the main street program. Four BIA
members sit on the committee along with
three representatives of Council. The
works foreman and the PUC chairman add
their expertise although they are not sitting
on the committee.
STARTED THE BIA
Ron Cottrell is a representative of the
BIA on the main street committee. He
initiated the formation of the BIA program
in 1976 and was chairman for two years.
During that time, a plan was drawn up by
Verne Olson of Urban Design Consultants,
Toronto. Now the committee will consider
implementation of the beautification ideas
outlined in the original study.
Basically three areas are under consid-
eration. One is the land around the
restored town hall, which would also
include the library and probably the police
station. A small "town square" could be •
created by planting some trees and flowers
and adding a few benches.
The second spot is beside the PUC
building where a small space could be
made into a "people -place" with a few
trees and benches. A third area is in front
.of the municipal offices where another
"parkette" could be established.
Mr. Cottrell believes crosswalks are
needed, but they are a controversial
subject that requires more deliberation. He
agrees parking is the town's most immed-
iate problem.
The overall theme is to make the
downtown area more people -oriented.
Many shoppers like to walk from one store
to another, and in a town the size of Exeter,
they are able to do this. It would be more
enjoyable for them, however, if they had a
few places to rest along the way.
WORK BY LOCAL PEOPLE
Mr. Swartman would like to see as much
work as possible done by local people. For
example, benches or planters may have to
be built. In the past, the town has
contracted with ARC Industries, and he
would be in favour of hiring them again.
"I feel we're getting a good job done at a
good price, and at the same time, we're
employing local people," he explains.
Opponents to the main street program
feel Exeter has an excellent downtown that
should not be changed. Mr. Cottrell agrees
the town has a good business section; in
the past three or four years, it has
improved notably and has attracted new
businesses to the core area. In fact, he
MAYOR OF EXETER,
DERRY BOYLE
BOB SWARTMAN
CHAIRMAN BIA PROJECT
RON COTTRELL
FORMER CHAIRMAN BIA PROJECT
believes Exeter has one of the best
small-town shopping areas around.
Nevertheless he contends no one can
stand still today, especially because of
increasing competition from cities, and he
believes Exeter can improve even more in
the next few years. Besides attracting more
shoppers, a strong business area increases
real estate values not only downtown but
throughout the town. New industry may
also be attracted.
Exeter's mayor, Derry Boyle, has a few
reservations regarding the main street
program. Since Exeter's main street is a
highway (Hwy. #4), the town is restricted
in the changes it can make.
Mayor Boyle would oppose any changes
that might cause narrowing of the street
through widening of the sidewalks. Nor is
he convinced that trees would add to the
appearance of the core area.
He is concerned about how the down-
town will spend that much money without
making major changes in sidewalk patterns
or road patterns. Major alterations could
cause an increase in the cost of operation,
and council must consider future mainten-
ance costs.
PARKING MAIN CONCERN
Parking is council's main concern, and
the $50,000 designated for parking will
certainly help in that respect. Council can
use the money to pave property that the
town already owns or leases, or Council can
lease additional land for paving. More
parking lots would improve the downtown
area.
Mayor Boyle is "happy and proud" of
Exeter's main street. "I don't think we
have to take a back, seat to anyone "
He is in favour of main street committee
plans to improve the library park, to
landscape the police station and to provide
other small 'parks', where feasible. He will
support any improvements that he feels are
practical for the town. Final plans of the
main street committee must be approved
by council.
The main street committee hopes to
begin implementation of its beautification
plans this year. As yet, no timetable has
been set.
Bob Swartman, chairman of BIA and
main street committee, feels the main
street program is an effort by the Ontario
government to help small towns. The
people responding to the program are "a
group of concerned businessmen, who
think enough of the downtown to borrow
$100,000 and pay it back out of our own
funds." The money will be used to improve
municipally -owned property.
The heart of any community has always
been its business section. BIA and main
street programs help to keep business
strong; Mr. Swartman believes they are
positive steps that will keep the Town of
Exeter progressive.
VILLAGE SQUIRE/APRIL 1980 PG. 11