The City of New Westminster is warning residents to be wary of giant hogweed.
Giant hogweed has been found in the rear of a property in Queensborough. While the plant has been removed from the area, the city is asking residents to be on the lookout for any signs of it and to report it immediately so it can be removed.
"Giant hogweed sap is very corrosive and even brushing against the plant can cause serious injury or skin problems," said a notice on the city's website. "If you find the plant, please do not touch it."
Giant hogweed can be identified by its reddishpurple stem with fine spines, and its spotted leaf stalks.
The plant can grow about 16 feet (five metres) high, has leaves up to 5 feet (1.5m) wide, and has flower heads that can each produce about 50,000 seeds every year.
Anyone who finds giant hogweed should call engineering operations at 604526-4691.
For more information on giant hogweed, visit www. al.gov.bc.ca/cropprot/ gianthogweed.htm
'GREATEST' PARK
A longtime New Westminster resident has had a change of heart about Westminster Pier Park.
The City of New Westminster officially opened the $25 million park on June 16.
"It's absolutely fantastic," Bud Groves told city council June 25. "I was one of the people who thought it was the dumbest thing in the world. It's the greatest thing in the world."
ALTERATIONS
The City of New Westminster will place a notice on title of a property that has been "significantly altered" without permits.
A staff report states that a house at 817 South Dyke Rd. has undergone interior alterations and has had a two-storey addition built on the house - despite extensive efforts by city staff to have the owners halt the work and get the proper permits.
The notice on title is designed to alert prospective purchasers of the outstanding violations, and to encourage the owners to bring the property into compliance with city bylaws.
BETTER AMENITIES
New Westminster is backing a City of Richmond recommendation for enhancements to washrooms at SkyTrain stations.
Council has approved a recommendation from the city's seniors advisory committee, which supported Richmond's efforts to seek enhanced access to washrooms at all SkyTrain stations and transit exchanges in Metro Vancouver.
The seniors advisory committee believes transit is essential to enabling seniors to live independently and believes that having convenient and safety access to washrooms would allow many seniors to use the transit system.
PARKING PLAN
The seniors advisory committee is seeking some compassion when it comes to parking at Royal Columbian Hospital.
The committee asked council to write a letter to the Royal Columbian Hospital board asking that it work with Imperial Parking to explore a compassionate, discounted weekly rate for seniors who have family members or friends who are receiving prolonged care at Royal Columbia Hospital.
The committee recognizes that many seniors have fixed and low incomes and limited mobility, meaning they cannot park elsewhere.
"SAC (seniors advisory committee) also recognizes that the hourly parking fee is causing extreme hardship on many seniors, who must often choose between caring for their loved ones and paying for the necessities of life," said a motion that was approved by city council.
LIQUOR NO GO
New Westminster city council is backing a moratorium on private liquor distribution.
The B.C. Government and Service Employees' Union wrote to city council regarding the provincial government's plan to privatize the B.C. Liquor Distribution Branch warehouse and distribution system.
The BCGEU states that the liquor distribution branch serves the province well and should not be sold to the private sector.
Council will write a letter in support of a moratorium on privatizing of liquor distribution in British Columbia.
tmcmanus@ royalcityrecord.com
