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HomeMy WebLinkAboutHuron Expositor, 2015-03-18, Page 66 Huron Expositor • Wednesday, March 18, 2015 Families ordered to pay Huron East council briefs $67,000 in turbine suit Marco Vigliotti Huron Expositor Four midwestern Ontario families, including two from Huron East, will have to pay $67,000 to the wind energy compa- nies they took to court in an unsuccessful bid to halt construction of new turbines, a provincial court has ruled. The award, handed down in a ruling earlier this month, is significantly less than the $340,000 K2 Wind, Armow, and St. Columban Energy had collectively sought from the Divisional Court, which a local group fighting against wind tur- bine developments says "reaffirms" the families' arguments that their case was launched in the public interest. In a prepared statement, Gerry Ryan, a representative of Huron East Against Turbines, cited the judge>s ruling in the case to argue that the constitutional questions raised by the court action needed to be factored in when consid- ering financial compensation. "Although the appellants obviously had a private interest in the litigation, their appeals contained a strong public inter- est component raising, as they did, the constitutionality of part of the legislative regime governing the construction and operation of wind farms in this province. Any award of costs must reflect that strong public interest component,» read a release from HEAT quoting a segment of the judge>s decision. The court, however, also rejected a counterargument from the Drennans, Kroeplins, Ryans and Dixons - the latter two hailing from Huron East - that they shouldn>t have to foot any of the com- panies> legal bills. In the ruling, K2 was awarded $25,000, while Armow and St. Columban were granted $17,000 and $25,000 respectively. Despite the setback, Ryan says HEAT remains committed to the fight against wind turbine developments in the area, adding that the families are still await- ing the results of an appeal to the court>s original ruling upholding the province>s rules permitting turbine pro- jects in Huron East, near Kincardine and the Goderich area. Marco Vigliott Huron Expositor Huron Hospice Volunteer Service The Huron Hospice Volun- teer Service will receive a $250 grant from the Municipality of Huron East after petitioning for an unspecified amount of financial assistance to offset some of the costs of delivering its services to residents. The municipality's council voted to make the grant alloca- tion at its March 3 meeting in response to a letter from the Service's executive director Shirley Dinsmore. In that letter dated Feb. 9, Dinsmore says the funding will assist with "the cost of providing community education and pro- ducing literature and supplies" that are offered to people con- tacting the group requesting fur- ther information. "Any amount that council can provide would be most appreci- ated," she says. The Service, a registered char- ity that was incorporated in 1996, works to raise awareness and provide education and out- reach to those facing life-threat- ening illnesses. It also provides bereavement services to families after the passing of a loved one. According to its financial statement, which was attached to the letter, the Service reported a nearly $3,500 deficit in 2014, with about $125,000 in revenue and roughly $128,600 in expenses. Most of the group's revenue comes from an annual grant from the Ministry of Health, which totaled $62,239 last year. Other sources include a $20,000 Trillium Grant and an $18,000 donation from the United Way. The Service's biggest expendi- ture is salaries, with the group spending $75,732 in wages and benefits in 2014, according to its financial statement. It reported over $18,000 in assets last year, more than $10,000 of which is in cash. Dinsmore says the not-for- profit group is currently work- ing to enhance its services for people who have "been impacted by suicide," in addi- tion to providing community education and "developing support groups over the next couple of months" "We serve both adults and children and are extremely proud of the Rainbows program that we provide for grieving chil- dren," she added. Water and Sewage Committee Huron East's water and sew- age committee has backed a proposal to keep water rates for Seaforth and Brucefield at their 2014 levels for the next year. The committee made the decision at its Feb. 10 meeting, where it also voted for a motion to keep water and sewage rates for Brussels and Vanastra at 2014 levels this year. In addition, the committee backed a plan to transfer the equivalent of a $4 per month flat rate charge from the Sea- forth/Egmondville water sys- tem to the Seaforth sewage system reserve. Also at the meeting, the committee heard from Brad Knight, Huron East's chief administrative officer, who walked members through a report concerning 2015 water and sewer rates. According to the meeting's minutes, Knight told the com- mittee that the municipality's five-year water and wastewater financial plan, adopted in 2010, will have to be updated this year for an additional five years. He also said the water and sewage systems in Brussels, Sea- forth/Egmdonville. Brucefield and Vanastra were all in good financial positions. As well, Knight explained that it is anticipated the Sea - forth Sewage Plant will require an estimated $5 million expansion but noted that the system only had a cash posi- tion of $1 million. Huron East Fire responds to smoke call Marco Vigliotti Huron Expositor The Huron East Fire Department vented a basement at a residence on Market Street in Seaforth Monday afternoon after smoke was seen accumulating at the property. In a message to the Expositor, fire officials attributed the smoke build-up to an over- heated electric panel and said there was no damage was reported from the incident. Huron East Fire added that it was fortunate the owners were home to discover the smoke in its early stages. HOW WILL YOU SPEND YOUR LAST 10 YEARS? The average Canadian will spend their last ten years in sickness. Change your future now. MAKE HEALTH LASTCA tyHEART 8," STROKE FOUNDATION DIfloi (dlipg llijRC'H You are invited to attend these area churches ST. THOMAS ANGLICAN 21 Jarvis St., Seaforth Rector The Rev. Karine Snowdon Rectory 519-482-9071 Church Office 519-527-1522 Sunday March 22, Worship at 9:30am Sat. March 21 - Tea Party & Storytelling for Children - 1:30 - 3 pm Wear your Princess & Prince Costumes Everyone Welcome EGMONDVILLE UNITED CHURCH Pastor Steve Hildebrand Youth Coordinator - Laura Nakamura WELCOME HOME PASTOR STEVE Worship March 22nd 10:30 AM Youth Sunday School -10:30 am Adult Sunday School - 9:45 am Come and Welcome our Pastor Back. For more information view our web site www.egmondvilleunitedchurch.com 8 Like us on Facebook ST. JAMES ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH Welcomes You 14 Victoria Street, Seaforth 519-345-2972 Sat. Mass 5 pm • Sun. Mass 9 am ST. PATRICK'S, DUBLIN Sun. Mass 11 a.m. FR. BRIAN McCOLL TO ADVERTISE IN THIS SPACE PLEASE CALL THE HURON EXPOSITOR 519-527-0240 BETHEL BIBLE CHURCH An Associated Gospel Church 126 Main St. Seaforth 519-527-0982 Rev. Mark Kennedy Sunday Worship Service 11 a.m. Sunday School for all ages 9:45 a.m. Tuesday Evenings Youth Groups - Junior & Senior High 6:30 to 9 p.m. Boys & Girls Club 7 p.m. Wednesdays 7 p.m. Men's & Women's Bible Study �� EVERYONE WELCOME FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH 59 Goderich St. W. Seaforth 519-527-0170 Rev. Rob Congram Lorrie Mann - Organist WORSHIP, MARCH 22nd 11:00 am SAT. MARCH 21st 5:30 pm St. Patrick's Night and Pot Luck Sunday School ALL WELCOME ('\. Nursery Provided as Needed Marco Vigliott Huron Expositor Huron Hospice Volunteer Service The Huron Hospice Volun- teer Service will receive a $250 grant from the Municipality of Huron East after petitioning for an unspecified amount of financial assistance to offset some of the costs of delivering its services to residents. The municipality's council voted to make the grant alloca- tion at its March 3 meeting in response to a letter from the Service's executive director Shirley Dinsmore. In that letter dated Feb. 9, Dinsmore says the funding will assist with "the cost of providing community education and pro- ducing literature and supplies" that are offered to people con- tacting the group requesting fur- ther information. "Any amount that council can provide would be most appreci- ated," she says. The Service, a registered char- ity that was incorporated in 1996, works to raise awareness and provide education and out- reach to those facing life-threat- ening illnesses. It also provides bereavement services to families after the passing of a loved one. According to its financial statement, which was attached to the letter, the Service reported a nearly $3,500 deficit in 2014, with about $125,000 in revenue and roughly $128,600 in expenses. Most of the group's revenue comes from an annual grant from the Ministry of Health, which totaled $62,239 last year. Other sources include a $20,000 Trillium Grant and an $18,000 donation from the United Way. The Service's biggest expendi- ture is salaries, with the group spending $75,732 in wages and benefits in 2014, according to its financial statement. It reported over $18,000 in assets last year, more than $10,000 of which is in cash. Dinsmore says the not-for- profit group is currently work- ing to enhance its services for people who have "been impacted by suicide," in addi- tion to providing community education and "developing support groups over the next couple of months" "We serve both adults and children and are extremely proud of the Rainbows program that we provide for grieving chil- dren," she added. Water and Sewage Committee Huron East's water and sew- age committee has backed a proposal to keep water rates for Seaforth and Brucefield at their 2014 levels for the next year. The committee made the decision at its Feb. 10 meeting, where it also voted for a motion to keep water and sewage rates for Brussels and Vanastra at 2014 levels this year. In addition, the committee backed a plan to transfer the equivalent of a $4 per month flat rate charge from the Sea- forth/Egmondville water sys- tem to the Seaforth sewage system reserve. Also at the meeting, the committee heard from Brad Knight, Huron East's chief administrative officer, who walked members through a report concerning 2015 water and sewer rates. According to the meeting's minutes, Knight told the com- mittee that the municipality's five-year water and wastewater financial plan, adopted in 2010, will have to be updated this year for an additional five years. He also said the water and sewage systems in Brussels, Sea- forth/Egmdonville. Brucefield and Vanastra were all in good financial positions. As well, Knight explained that it is anticipated the Sea - forth Sewage Plant will require an estimated $5 million expansion but noted that the system only had a cash posi- tion of $1 million. Huron East Fire responds to smoke call Marco Vigliotti Huron Expositor The Huron East Fire Department vented a basement at a residence on Market Street in Seaforth Monday afternoon after smoke was seen accumulating at the property. In a message to the Expositor, fire officials attributed the smoke build-up to an over- heated electric panel and said there was no damage was reported from the incident. Huron East Fire added that it was fortunate the owners were home to discover the smoke in its early stages. HOW WILL YOU SPEND YOUR LAST 10 YEARS? The average Canadian will spend their last ten years in sickness. Change your future now. MAKE HEALTH LASTCA tyHEART 8," STROKE FOUNDATION