The alterations, which aim to eliminate duplicate or similar street names and out-of-sequence numbers that currently exist to ensure emergency vehicles are dispatched to the right places, were endorsed by council at its meeting Monday night.

The changes involve 19 streets and 532 properties -- down from the original proposal last year that would've impacted 33 streets and more than 1,000 properties. Residents came out in full force last April to voice their opposition to some of the changes, so the Town went back to the drawing board several times and managed to cut the list down substantially.

"What's important at this point is to ensure these streets and numbers are corrected properly," said Town Director of Planning and Development Mel Iovio. "In an emergency, every second counts."

The Town is looking to phase in the changes, with house number changes only (159 properties) being done in the first phase that's slated for June to September.

The second phase, to run from September to December, will include street name changes that'll affect 106 properties.

The third phase will see more street name changes implemented from December to March 2009, with 144 properties impacted.

The final phase of street name and house number changes, affecting 123 properties, will be triggered by development in the future.

Those who have to change their address on all of their personal or business documentation will receive some financial compensation from the Town -- up to $50 for residential landowners and a maximum of $100 to business and home occupation owners. Receipts would have to be provided to the Town for reimbursement consideration.

The compensation program is expected to cost the Town a maximum of $33,250, which will be funded by the tax stabilization reserves. The Town will also be replacing rural municipal sign blades, which will cost about $3,700 and be fully absorbed by the fire department's 2008 operating budget.

A further $25,000 has been allocated from the capital works reserve to fund the street name sign changes.

At Monday's council meeting, Ward 3 Councillor Jan Mowbray said some residents are concerned about the appropriateness of their proposed new street names. For example, she said on the stretch of Steeles Avenue that's to become Conservation Road, there's no conservation area.

She asked if staff could consult with residents on the affected streets to discuss more appropriate street names.

Iovio told her that council could instruct staff to take a second look at specific names. He noted the Town has already received quite a bit of feedback from residents on the names. For example, there were 14 responses received about Conservation Road, with 11 in favour and three against.

Members of all three emergency services -- fire, police and ambulance -- were also in attendance at the meeting and voiced their strong support for the changes.

Ward 2 Councillor Mike Boughton commended the trio for the work they did on the project and spoke to the importance of making the changes.

"I truly believe you cannot put a value on a human life at all," he said.

Fellow Ward 2 Councillor Greg Nelson thanked the planning department and emergency services personnel for their willingness over the past year to sit down with the affected residents and listen to what they had to say.

Bylaws will be brought forward as the program is phased in to implement the street name changes.

Melanie Hennessey can be reached at mhennessey@miltoncanadianchampion.com.

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Is your street name changing? Check for it on this listStreet name changes approved by council (names subject to potential further refinement):

Campbellville Road from Dublin Line to Regional Road 25 -- to become No. 5 Sideroad

First Line between Derry and Britannia roads -- to become Bronte Street South

Steeles Avenue from Milburough Line to east of Guelph Line -- to become Conservation Road

Campbell Avenue West from Kingsbury Circle to Campbellville Road -- to become Campbellville Road

Campbell Avenue, west of Ontario Street South -- to become Donald Campbell Avenue

James Snow Parkway, north of Main Street East -- to become James Snow Parkway North

James Snow Parkway, south of Main Street East -- to become James Snow Parkway South

Nassagaweya Puslinch Townline from No. 10 Sideroad to Little Road -- to become Darkwood Road

Nassagaweya Puslinch Townline, north of No. 17 Sideroad -- to become Midway Court

No. 3 Sideroad from Nassagaweya Puslinch Townline to First Line Nassagaweya -- to become Arkell Road

Walkers Line from Campbell Avenue East to south of No. 3 Sideroad -- to become Canyon Road

Fourth Line from north of Derry Road to the CPR tracks -- to become Cochrane Road

Future street name changes, as development requires:

Lower Base Line East between Sixth Line and Trafalgar Road -- to become Lower Base Line West

Lower Base Line West, east of Fourth Line -- to become Longrill Lane

Lower Base Line West between Fifth and Sixth lines -- name not determined yet

Main Street West between the new street alignment and Tremaine Road -- to become Given Lane

Main Street West between Tremaine Road and Bronte Street -- name not determined yet

Regional Road 25 between Derry Road West and Britannia Road West -- to become Ontario Street South

No. 3 Sideroad between Tremaine Road and the new alignment of Tremaine Road -- to become Kelso Road