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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2013-12-12, Page 7PAGE 12. THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2013. North Huron Township Council members experienced some sticker shock at the price quoted for a review of water and sewer rates and creation of a water and sewer document from engineering firm B.M. Ross and Associates. The firm sent a letter to North Huron Township Council that was debated during council’s Dec. 8 meeting. Councillor Archie MacGowan, who admitted to the sticker shock when he saw the $34,000 price tag associated with the review, said when he was previously a member of council a similar project had started and he wasn’t happy with how it was carried out. “I wasn’t entirely pleased with the process and timelines,” he said. “It’s a lot of money, but it needs to be done now. I would, however, like to hear options on competing pricing.” MacGowan later explained the timeline for the project was pushed back several times and he would like council to be tougher on the deadline this time. Chief Administrative Officer Gary Long explained staff had discussed splitting the study into two parts, one for the rate study to determine if and by how much rates would increase and the second a strategic review of the water and sewer infrastructure and future planning. Councillor Brock Vodden stated he would prefer to see any kind of planning held off until a cross-border servicing agreement could be finalized with council’s contemporaries in Morris-Turnberry, where as Councillor Bernie Bailey felt Morris-Turnberry Council should be involved in the project. MacGowan, however, felt the review and accompanying documentation would have nothing to do with North Huron’s neighbour. “This is a review of our water policies,” he said. “I don’t necessarily concur with having Morris-Turnberry involved. We could get it to a draft document and then share it with them, but I don’t think it’s going to interfere with Morris-Turnberry.” The township’s water and sewer Chief Operator Don Nicholson said Morris-Turnberry is involved in the document but only in a tertiary respect. “The only thing tied together with Morris-Turnberry is we both have reciprocal use bylaws, especially for the water,” he said. “Basically, we’re in harmony with one and other. It’s entrenched in the current agreement, so they will be involved indirectly.” While the study to evaluate and increase rates is a part of the cost, Treasurer Donna White explained it was the smaller part with the development of a plan and policy manual being the largest one. Council decided to have staff bring back a report on future plans before making a decision. One concerned citizen, and several councillors, if Mayor Paul Gowing and Councillor Neil Warwick are correct, are worried a proposed burn bylaw would be too stifling for residents of Morris-Turnberry. David Keith, along with his wife, visited council to air his concerns with the proposed bylaw that he read about in the local media. Keith, who admitted to being relatively new to the community, having moved six years ago, explained he had been burning yard waste since he moved in, including trees, leaves and other debris, as a means of clearing the land. He said he always seeks permission for the burns prior to ignition with the fire department and building inspector. He also said he burns papers and books as a means of protecting himself from identity theft. “Some of these [documents] can be shredded, some cannot,” he said when reading from a letter he wrote to council. “For the past 45 years, these have been burned without problems.” Keith included four questions he asked of council including how the proposed bylaw, which council has already confirmed will be changed dramatically before being passed, will affect people who wish to use burning in non-urban areas as a means of disposing of refuse. Keith finished his letter by stating that, if the bylaw wasn’t broken, it isn’t in need of fixing, however the author of the proposed document, Morris-Turnberry Fire Prevention Officer James Marshall had told council during a previous meeting that the existing document was broken and it did need to be addressed. Keith also suggested the document’s creation was someone’s attempt to “justify their job.” Gowing responded to Keith by saying what council dealt with was a “very preliminary” draft of the ‘Sticker shock’ at council Proposed bylawconcerns council Follow the leader To recognize International Day of Persons with Disabilities on Dec. 3, students at Hullett Central Public School worked with people like Paul Perna, back left, from the Canadian National Institute for the Blind. Shown experimenting with special goggles that mimic low and loss of vision are, back, from left, Braeden MacDonald and Darcie Brohman. Front are Jillian Shortreed, left, and Alexis Bernier. (Denny Scott photo) ‘A Harvest of Memories from Morris-Turnberry’ History Book is available at the Municipal office of the Municipality of Morris-Turnberry Canadian Author and Nobel Prize in Literature Recipient Alice Munro was a resident in this Municipality! Alice Munro’s family is noted in both volumes of the History Book. It will make a fantastic Christmas present for the hard-to-buy-for person on your list!!! Cost: $125.00+GST = $131.25 If you are interested in purchasing ‘A Harvest of Memories from Morris-Turnberry’ please contact the Municipal office at 519-887-6137 www.hc-cs.ca Break and enter — Theft of Jewellery — Huron East McKILLOP MUTUAL INSURANCE COMPANY Box 819, 91 Main Street S., Seaforth, Ontario N0K 1W0 Office: 519-527-0400 • 1-800-463-9204 www.mckillopinsurance.com Brought to you by: Huron County Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) Officers are currently investigating the theft of several pieces of jewellery stolen from a London Road residence. On November 19, 2013 OPP officers were notified of the theft by the Huron East property owner. Sometime between 6:00 p.m. on November 3 and 10:00 a.m. on November 5, 2013 unknown suspect(s) entered the residence through an unlocked screen door. Once inside the residence those responsible entered a bedroom where they proceed to steal several pieces of jewellery. Some of the stolen items included: a gold chain with a diamond solitaire, an antique white gold anniversary band with diamonds, two gold chevron rings with diamonds, a silver chevron ring with diamonds, gold ring with opals and diamonds, gold ring with sapphire and diamonds, gold ring with amethyst and diamonds and a gold pinky ring. The total value of the stolen items is estimated to be approximately $3700. If you have any information regarding this crime or any other crime, call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or submit a tip online at www.hc-cs.ca. You could earn a cash reward of up to $2000, you will never have to reveal your identity or testify in court. And remember, Crime doesn’t pay, but Crime Stoppers does! * Christmas Trees * Turkey Rolls (white and dark meat) * Various cuts beef, pork, chicken Last minute shopper or surprise guests? Come see us for: Holiday Hours December 24 - Closed 4:30 pm December 25 & 26 - Closed December 31 - Closed 4:30 pm January 1 - Closed WALTON 519-887-8429 Closed Sundays starting December 29th Uncle Ray’s Potato Chips 150 g. bag 5/$5 Coke 2L Bottle 2/$4By Denny Scott The Citizen By Denny Scott The Citizen Continued on page 24