HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2013-01-17, Page 20Continued from page 14
councils will discuss one of the
options in detail as well as explore
questions that the councils posed to
each other that may have not had
readily available or simple answers
at the time.
One such question led to the
announcement, by Vodden, that the
costs for the Fire Department of
North Huron should be looking at a
drop in price over the next few years.
By 2016, the budget of the fire
department is set to drop by 10 per
cent to approximately $180,000 due
to the initial expenditures in creating
the station and buying equipment
from the old fire boards being paid
off.
That announcement was new
information to Morris-Turnberry as
well as to many of the assembled
residents and will be discussed at the
next meeting.
PAGE 20. THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, JANUARY 17, 2013.
Continued from page 18
partner with Huron East, and what
they are doing there.”
***
Upon request from Councillor
John Smuck, Mayor Paul Gowing
clarified his vote at the county
level with regard to a proposed
mandatory septic system inspection
program.
“I see the merit in what they’re
attempting to do,” said Gowing,
while noting he nonetheless voted
against the program as proposed.
Gowing said while a similar
program in the Municipality of
Huron-Kinloss has proven
successful, that program was
lobbied for by landowners whereas
“what is happening here is from the
top down.”
“It [the proposed program] is dead
in the water now,” confirmed
Gowing, who added it could
nonetheless later rise from the ashes
in a different form.
Councillor John Smuck noted
Central Huron joined the chorus of
those rejecting the program,
meaning the triple majority required
by legislation to make mandatory
septic system inspection a reality is
not possible.
***
Council learned its policing costs
for 2013 are set to rise 1.62 per cent.
Upon questioning from
Councillor Jamie Heffer, Clerk-
Administrator Nancy Michie noted
the hike is in line with past years.
Total policing costs for the coming
year are pegged at $279,289.
Central Huron pledged its support
for solar projects in the municipality
on Monday night, Jan. 7, but the
approval didn’t come without
concerns.
John Lewis was at the Regional
Equine and Agricultural Centre of
Huron (REACH) to make the case
for a solar installation for Sluys
Holsteins Inc. on Base Line in
Central Huron. Under the latest FIT
(feed-in tariff) contract rules, Lewis
explained, each project is judged on
its merit through a point system, and
the points awarded for municipal
approval are essentially make-or-
break for the project.
Council approved the request
from Lewis, who was appearing on
behalf of K-W Power Logic, but not
before Central Huron Fire Chief
Steve Cooke aired some of the fire
department’s concerns surrounding
solar panels.
“Solar panels are a major concern
to all fire departments,” Cooke told
council, “not just ours.”
Cooke said one of a firefighter’s
major concerns with a building
equipped with solar panels is that
there’s no way to turn them off; they
are always producing power.
Cooke added that solar panels add
extra weight to rooves and, while
burning, they may produce highly
toxic fumes.
“We are concerned,” Cooke said.
“There are no guidelines yet, but we
are working on it.
“There are a lot of answers that
we still need yet.”
Cooke said the next meeting of
the joint fire chiefs is set for tonight
(Jan. 17) and that solar panels will
be one of the main issues being
discussed.
After Cooke had concluded what
he had to say, Lewis said he and K-
W Power Logic would be happy
with work with local fire
departments on finding an effective
way to fight fires on structures
equipped with solar panels.
“There is a possibility that if a
structure has a massive solar panel
system on its roof that we wouldn’t
be fighting the fire,” Cooke said.
“We’re not spraying water on 600
volts, that’s all there is to it.”
Central Huronapproves solar,
safety questioned
Policing costs rise
in Morris-Turnberry
Next fire meeting set
for Jan. 23 in Belgrave
Keeping it cool
Despite taking a turn for the warm on the weekend, there was still plenty of snow for Hullett
Central Public School students to play in on Monday. Taking turns making the leap from the
school’s large snow hill are, from left: Braedan Fleming, Greydon Jeffrey, Mason Wain and
Reid Button. (Denny Scott photo)
Blyth ~ 519-523-4792 • Brussels ~ 519-887-9114
The Citizen
Take time for yourself
and enjoy a new book!
We have a wonderful selection
of rural-themed books for all ages
APPLE COOKBOOK
160 pages of recipes using apples in
everything from breads to drinks and
snacks to salads to cakes, pies and
desserts plus a listing of apple varieties
and their characteristics. $12.95
MAPLE SUGAR: From sap to
syrup, the history, lore and
how-to behind this sweet
treat
The book provides information
on maple tree varieties and
suitability, tips on making your
own syrup and sugar, a time
line of developments in maple
syrup and recipes. $15.95
MAGICAL, MYSTERIOUS LAKE OF THE WOODS
Heather Robertson and Melinda McCracken explore the
past of this jewel of Northwestern Ontario with historic
photos, maps, drawings and colour photos. $24.95
300 BEST POTATO
RECIPES
Our most common
vegetable can also be the
most versatile. Information
on potato history and
varieties and recipes for
everything from appetizers,
snacks, salads, soups,
main courses, breads and
desserts.$24.95
THE SECRET LANGUAGE OF HORSES
Learn the body language of horses and
understand your horse better. Also information
about horse breeds and types, selecting a
horse, riding disciplines, grooming and care
and communications. $14.95
MAKING BENTWOOD
TRELLISES, ARBORS,
GATES & FENCES
Photos and drawings in
this 150-page book
guide you through the
steps required to make
all sorts of projects for your yard and garden. A
wide variety of styles are offered for you to choose
from. $26.95
Stop by and see these and other winter reads
at...
BARNYARD GAMES &
PUZZLES
For kids who like the farm
this book contains 100
mazes, word games, jokes
and riddles, brain teasers
and fun activities illustrated
with lots of cartoon
barnyard animals. $13.50
By Shawn Loughlin
The Citizen
Get information
on Huron County attractions
on the
Stops Along The Way
section of our website
www.northhuron.on.ca