HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2018-07-12, Page 9Getting greedy
It was PIucKIN'Fest weekend in Clinton last weekend and while the schedule of events was
pared down significantly after last year's massive sesquicentennial/PIucKIN'Fest combination
event, there was still plenty of fun to be had. There was a baseball tournament, a handful of
breakfasts, a dance and a special day at the Clinton Raceway to raise funds for the Huron
Heat girls hockey organization. Here, this baserunner tried to go from first to third on his
teammate's single to the outfield, but was picked off on his way into third base to end the
inning. (Shawn Loughlin photo)
Plaque project moving ahead
By Denny Scott
The Citizen
The historic plaque project being
undertaken by the Blyth Business
Improvement Area (BIA) will look a
little different than originally
anticipated.
Spearheaded by David Sparling,
the project seeks to place plaques
through the village detailing some of
the history and unique characters of
the village.
Sparling explained during the
BIA's July 4 meeting that he had the
draft script ready for production of
the signs after receiving help last
week from the late Janis Vodden and
her husband Brock.
He also explained that he had
enlisted local accessibility expert
Julie Sawchuk to help with the
project. She was advising on the
height of the signs, to make sure they
are accessible to everyone, and could
be read by everyone as well.
As part of Sawchuk's review,
some previous ideas of Sparling's
had to be revised.
At a previous BIA meeting,
Sparling had explained that a serial
arsonist had devastated the village at
the turn of the 20th century. He had
planned on having red plaques on
the buildings that were either
replaced or repaired after the fires to
help illustrate how widespread the
damage was, however Sawchuk
advised against the colour scheme.
"The red colour might not do well
for those with visual impairment,"
he said. "Instead, we're looking at
small plaques on top of the main
plaque with a flame to help identify
them"
He said that sites like Howson
Mill and Campbell Transport were
impacted by the fires, as well as
Queen Street between King and
Dinsley Streets.
"Both sides of the street, with the
exception of five stores, burned
down as a result of the arsonist," he
said.
Jennifer Triemstra-Johnston of
Pick a Posie asked how big the signs
would be and Sparling said they
would likely need to be particularly
wide, with the new font size, to
avoid being extremely tall.
Sparling did say that sites that
will have signs on posts will have
more licence as far as the size,
because those going on buildings
will need to fit somewhere on the
structure.
VINTAGE VILLAGE PLAN
Sparling also said that, through
Triemstra-Johnston, he had
discovered a map outlining the
original development of Blyth.
A large printout of the map is
being produced that will be placed
on the building currently being
used by Triemstra-Jolmston's Pick a
Posie pop-up shop on the southeast
corner of Dinsley and Queen Streets.
He said that site will, in the
future, host Blyth's Orr Insurance.
Sparling said the map, once
installed, would measure
approximately four feet by eight
feet.
THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, JULY 12, 2018. PAGE 9.
Huronview, Huronlea
pipes to be replaced
By Shawn Loughlin
The Citizen
Huron County Council has
authorized the replacement of
sprinkler water lines at the
Huronview and Huronlea Homes for
the Aged at an estimated cost of over
$1.1 million.
Huronview Administrator Connie
Townsend spoke to the
recommendation at a recent
committee of the whole meeting,
asking council to approve the
proposal from Allan Avis Architects.
In her report to council, Townsend
said the project could be paid for
from the county homes reserve fund,
which currently has over $2.5
million in it.
She said that the proposal also
includes removal of existing pipe,
access into and reinstallation of
ceiling board/tile and a contingency
costing for the project. There will
also be an additional $47,485 for
engineering related to the project.
"An issue was raised by staff
relating to the health and safety of
our residents due to the current
sprinlder system being near the end
of life. Replacing the main sprinlder
line with the proposed compressed
nitrogen system will extend [the
system's] life significantly,"
Townsend said in her report. "The
recommendation by Allan Avis
Group is to use the regular scheduled
black pipe with the nitrogen
compressor system. This system
would extend the life of the overall
fire system by a factor of five (60-75
years). Currently we use a
compressed air system, which
pushes air through the pipes.
"With this new system, it
continues to use air which contains a
small amount of nitrogen. The
nitrogen helps to keep moisture out
of the lines, in turn no freezing
points, and inhibits corrosion within
the piping. The nitrogen system is
PA." Hensall
i co -OP
A good day
not used on galvanized pipe."
Townsend also detailed a number
of incidents with the piping in recent
years, including a major flood at
Huronview in 2007 that resulted in
repair costs of over $100,000. In
2017, there was a break in the
sprinkler line at Huronlea in
Brussels. It affected one resident's
room, resulting in the resident not
being able to return to the room for
several months. Total repair costs
were over $50,000.
"In June, 2017, this project was
presented to committee of the whole
day two and then approved by
council in July, 2017," she said in
her report. "It was approved for the
homes reserve fund to be utilized for
this project. The total estimated cost
for Huronview was $245,000 plus
HST and $170,000 plus HST for
Huronlea.
"The quote at this time did not
include project work such as ceiling
replacement costs, permits and fees
and contingency planning Further,
the dollars for the project were not
included in the 2018 budget."
Council approved the
recommendation and funding for the
new piping for the two homes.
Drop by our office in
Blyth or Brussels and
check out our wonderful
selection of books. We
have books for all ages.
413 Queen St., Blyth
519-523-4792
541 Turnberry St., Brussels
519-887-9114
www hensallco-op.ca
When you ask Dave Consitt how he would describe a good day
he'll tell you its a day where he has been able to add value to a
producer's farming operation. That means solving problems and
presenting opportunities to increase profits at any stage of the
growing season. Whether it be in selecting crops and crop inputs,
protecting the crops once the seed is in the ground or identifying
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experience to help you grow with us.
To learn more about how Dave can add value on your farm call him
at 519-525-7257 or email Dave.Consitt@hdc.on.ca. You can also
call Hensall Co-op at 1-800-265-5190.
On the diamond
Clinton was host to PIucKIN'Fest on the weekend and one
of the main attractions was a baseball tournament on both
of the town's diamonds. (Shawn Loughlin photo)