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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2013-06-27, Page 24Central Huron’s list of correspondence included five Ontario municipalities that have joined the growing ranks of places declaring themselves “unwilling hosts” to industrial wind turbines as an official reaction to Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne’s pledge commercial wind projects will not be forced upon Ontarians. Among those joining the list councillors heard at their June 18 meeting, which includes Central Huron, Bluewater and North Middlesex, are South Bruce, Huron Kinloss, the Town of Petrolia, the Township of Tiny and the Township of West Lincoln. *** During his monthly mayoral address, Mayor Jim Ginn reported trail development to the Hullett Wildlife Area is ongoing, though some landowner agreements have yet to be signed. He also noted the recent South West Economic Alliance Conference, held in Goderich and Benmiller, reveals broadband connectivity continues to be a key concern for rural areas interested in expanding. Ginn said reports suggest the County of Huron is actually better connected than the City of Stratford. He added part of the conference included hearing presentations from the region’s three internet service providers that are working towards improving services. “It bodes well for economic development in Huron County in the future,” said Ginn. PAGE 24. THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, JUNE 27, 2013.Trail developmentongoing in Hullett Councillors concerned with building costs A fun run Local law enforcement officers were joined by some enthusiastic assistants for the annual Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics earlier this week. The group ran down Blyth’s main street shortly after 11 a.m. on Monday morning. The event started in Wingham and ended in Goderich. (Denny Scott photo) Hula-hooping Maitland River Elementary School Wingham Campus students like Emma Raynard, shown here, were able to get some sun and some exercise as they got their aortas active for the Jump Rope for Heart event held earlier this week at the school. (Denny Scott photo) At their June 18 meeting, Huron East councillors found that the true costs to renovate the municipality’s town hall in Seaforth had increased significantly along the way. With an initial contract price of $477,662, council was told that the final price tag of the project sits at $789,673, an increase of just under 65 per cent. “This upsets me,” said Councillor Larry McGrath, who had been an outspoken critic of the project since its inception. “We’ve gone 65 per cent over our budget. We’ve spent $300,000 more on the project.” McGrath said that with his business, if he was that far off on a cost estimate, he would be fired the next day. He asked staff for a complete breakdown of the costs for the next meeting. Chief Building Official Paul Josling defended the cost slightly, saying contractors found the roof’s main plate was rotted out, something no one could have known until the bricks had been removed. Josling named several other instances of unpredicted costs encountered by the crew. Councillor Nathan Marshall said that it was shocking to see how high costs had risen, so perhaps regular updates along the way would have helped to soften the blow, while at the same time keeping councillors informed as to the progress of the project. McGrath said the high costs were council’s own fault and they had no one to blame but themselves. “This is a lesson learned,” he said. “We could call it the $300,000 lesson.” He said that in the future, council has to be more proactive with projects like this, nipping problems with municipal buildings in the bud and not letting them get out of control to the point where costs can escalate like this. As part of the same presentation, Treasurer Paula Michiels reported that both the 23 Goderich Street and Brussels Library projects were proceeding on time and on budget and that she was expecting no surprises. Blyth 519-523-4792 • Brussels 519-887-9114 The CitizenEnjoy these and other great books at... Build Something Great This Summer! PLAYHOUSES Plan now to delight your children or grandchildren with this book of designs and plans for indoor and backyard playhouses. 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