HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2015-12-03, Page 9THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2015. PAGE 9.
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planning process is coming out, so
we want to see what the direction of
that will be going forward by
knowing what the top priorities are,”
Chambers said. “We’re also waiting
to see how restructuring of economic
development will look at the county
level.
“We’re going to wait and see how
all that comes out before we decide
to provide, at the local level, what
we’re looking towards,” she said.
“Right now, the benchmark of where
we are at is what was reported. We
will have further review once that
information is available.”
POLICING
Chambers was tasked with finding
out how much it would cost to have
the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP)
provide coverage for Wingham
while Chief Tim Poole was charged
with finding how much it would cost
for the Wingham Police Department
to cover East Wawanosh and Blyth.
However, a moratorium on costing
that was implemented earlier in the
year by the OPP put this project on
the back burner for council.
“My understanding is that, after
the moratorium was lifted on Nov. 1,
many townships contacted the OPP
regarding changing their coverage,”
Chambers said. “They will provide
the costing to us when they get to us
in the queue of communities
requesting that information.”
Chambers said that council looked
at the issue, but public discussion
wasn’t invited due to the lack of
information about how much the
policing would cost.
“Until we have those numbers,
we’re not looking for comments,”
Chambers said. “When we do have
that information, we will engage in a
more public process to let people
know how those numbers look and
get feedback as to where we should
go from there.”
“We’re going to wait and see how
all that comes out before we decide
to provide, at the local level, what
we’re looking towards,” she said.
“Right now, the benchmark of where
we are at is what was reported. We
will have further review once that
information is available.”
WINGHAM AIRPORT
The Richard W. LeVan Aerodrome
was also discussed and Director of
Facilities and Recreation Pat
Newson gave a report on the site
including a brief history of the
airport.
“We talked about the current value
of the asset [the farmland] and the
airport facilities and runway
themselves,” Chambers said. “The
report outlined the challenges the
township has with the airport right
now.”
Included in those challenges is the
fact the township doesn’t include
similar staff resources that other
municipalities do.
“Goderich and Kincardine have
full-time staff at their airports,”
Chambers said of the discussion.
“We have someone doing grounds
maintenance for about 16 hours a
week. We don’t have significant
resources directed at operating or
expanding the business.”
The airport was originally built
after stakeholders identified it as part
of a growing business plan.
Specifically, Wescast had used it
often with their corporate jet
stationed there.
“That is no longer happening,”
Chambers said. “Staff have spoken
to Wescast and they don’t see the
airport as necessary.”
While usage has changed over the
years, council did recognize that the
site is used by Ornge medivac
services.
The site hosts the Wingham RC
Jet Rally annually and is recognized
by staff and council as being a
benefit for the region and not just
North Huron.
Chambers reported that one of the
members of the small crowd at the
meeting reported that there are
interested parties in building more
hangers at the space. Chambers
noted that, until council directs staff
on how to handle the land, any kind
of development like that was on
hold.
LANDFILL/RECYCLING
Director of Public Works Kelly
Church provided a report in regards
to the fact that the contract for waste
and recycling collection is due for
renewal in 2016.
“We’re looking at potential
savings by altering the level of
service,” Chambers said of the
report. “We’re looking at frequency
of pick up for recycling or waste, but
we want public feedback into that
before a decision is made.”
Chambers said the municipality is
planning ongoing discussion for the
issue over the next year.
“We will have forms online and
we will try to reach out through
social media to get feedback on the
issue,” she said. “More public
engagement is important for making
changes like this and surveys will be
at the landfill site to make sure we
reach everyone.”
ESTC
The final report was provided on
the Emergency Services Training
Centre (ESTC) by Fire Department
of North Huron Chief David
Sparling.
Chambers reported that the facility
is in a unique situation where the
programs are succeeding and the
offerings at the site are expanding
annually, however the mortgage for
the centre is proving difficult to
maintain.
“We’re trying to expand more and
more and pursue many new
opportunities,” she said. “However,
we still have a large facility that isn’t
being fully utilized. It’s difficult to
cover the mortgage costs.
“We’re trying to find strategies to
close that gap,” she said. “We are
going to figure out how much usage
the facility needs to reach a break-
even point and where our current
initiatives are going to take us.”
Chambers said that options
for revenue for the centre
including leasing out vacant
space, are being considered.
Council and staff did recognize the
positive economic spin-off provided
by the centre and the visitors who
come to Blyth as a result of its
operation.
“A reported is pending to provider
firm numbers for the potential
revenue for new programs is being
pursued,” she said. “That will be
presented to council early
in the new year.”
Continued from page 8
the amended motion, saying he had
problems with the document.
“I read through this, and parts of it
are unenforcable,” he said. “There
are all kinds of issues. It is long, and
probably too long. I would like to
see it reviewed by a legal authority
and by the OPP and the
Wingham Police force.
“This would never get past a
court,” he said of the bylaw.
Sparling said that Wellington
County would have had the
document looked at by legal
council and would request that
information for presentation
in North Huron.
Bylaw legality concerns Knott
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Garbage, recycling pick up schedule part of review
Wash & Fold Services
Blyth Laundromat
191 Westmoreland St., Blyth
519-523-9687
Get information
on Huron County
attractions on the
Stops Along The Way
section of our website
www.northhuron.on.ca
Lighting up the town
After much discussion and fundraising, Brussels was a
brighter place over the weekend for its annual Santa Claus
parade thanks to the newly-installed LED streetlights. With
base funding from Huron East and additional fundraising
from the Brussels Community Development Trust, as well
as other private donors, the community upgraded to
heritage-style decorative lights, which were being installed
on Thursday. (Shawn Loughlin photo)
The Jolly Old Elf himself (and his Missus)
It wouldn’t be much of a Santa Claus parade if Santa Claus (and Mrs. Claus) didn’t make an
appearance. The bearded elf had a busy weekend as he visited Brussels (above) and
Wingham on Saturday as well as Seaforth on Friday. (Vicky Bremner photo)