The Citizen, 2012-03-29, Page 12PAGE 12. THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, MARCH 29, 2012.
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community.”
Blaney said the concept fits in
perfectly with the promotion of local
products, so it should help the
Brussels and area community in
several different ways economically.
“The benefits are two-fold,”
Blaney said. “This can be a venue
for local producers to sell their
products, but it also brings people
into downtown Brussels in hopes
that if they’re spending money at the
farmers’ market, they’ll spend their
money in other places throughout
the community.
“This is economic development on
an individual scale and a
community-wide scale.”
The plan is to attract between 10
and 12 vendors per week, Hawley
says.
The concept for the project began
in 2010 when members of the Huron
East Economic Development
Department began its business
retention and expansion program
under the direction of the Ontario
Ministry of Agriculture, Food and
Rural Affairs. Through that study the
development of a farmers’ market
was identified as a priority.
An information evening is being
held at the Brussels, Morris and
Grey Community Centre on April 4
at 7:30 p.m. Hawley and Blaney said
the evening will go a long way as
far as the planning of the market
is concerned. Members of the
Brussels Agricultural Society are
hoping to hear from producers as to
what they want and to connect
with potential vendors for the
market.
Details about the cost to residents
are still to be worked out but at its
March 20 meeting Morris-Turnberry
council committed to an automated
garbage and recycling collection
program which will require residents
to use bins on wheels.
The program, which will not
commence until late this year, will
provide pick up on both sides of the
road for urban residents on a weekly
basis, and bi-weekly for rural
residents. The annual cost to Morris-
Turnberry quoted by Bluewater
Recycling Association (BRA) is
$149,470.
The program will replace the
current bag-tag system with a yearly
fee to be added to the tax bill, but
just what that fee should be is an
issue of continued discussion. In
fact, some councillors were against
committing to the new system at this
time, but since there is only
government funding available until
the end of this year to buy the bins,
and since it takes BRA six months to
implement the program, there was a
deadline for making a decision.
The staff recommendation was to
charge each household $80 for a
small garbage bin and $40 for a
recycling bin. The fairness of that
plan for rural residents was
questioned.
Someone putting out the
equivalent of two bags of garbage a
week in a village with weekly
collection could use a small bin,
pointed out Councillor John Smuck.
A rural resident creating two bags a
week would have to pay for a larger
container at a higher cost.
Councillor David Baker used his
own situation as an example saying
right now he puts out one bag of
garbage every two weeks, meaning
bag tags cost him one dollar a week.
His recycling is free. Under the new
proposal he would pay more than
twice as much.
He questioned charging people for
recycling bins. “The incentive to
recycle is gone when you charge for
what was previously a free service,”
he said.
At the March 6 meeting council
had asked staff to see if BRA would
allow rural residents to opt out of
getting a garbage bin. The answer
was that they would, but they would
no longer pick up garbage bags.
“There’s really no opting out if
they won’t pick up bags,” said Baker.
Councillor Jamie Heffer felt that
the annual fee should be based on the
volume of garbage produced, so that
In The Citizen’s agricultural
supplement, published on March 22,
a story regarding the Trees for North
Maitland program was printed and
requires several clarifications.
The program itself comes from the
Maitland Watershed Partnerships
Terrestrial Team, a forum for
agencies, businesses, municipalities
and community groups interested in
improving the health of area forests.
Local members Paul Gowing, Art
Versteeg, Linda Henhoeffer, Murray
Scott and Phil Beard formed a
committee to promote tree planting
throughout the North Maitland.
The research for the project was
conducted by Kim Delaney, owner
and operator of Hawthorn Farms.
Delaney met with municipal staff to
develop recommendations to reduce
maintenence costs at several
different sites and prepare cost
estimates. Ecolawn is one of several
mixtures Delaney has worked with
and potential demonstration sites
were identified by municipal staff.
In addition the estimated $180,000
to $200,000 to cut grass throughout
North Huron was quoted by a private
contractor who estimated that to be
his costs, not the township.
The Citizen apologizes for any
confusion.
Morris-Turnberry will make one
more proposal to resolve fire service
issues with North Huron before
proceeding with creating its own fire
department.
Following a discussion in closed
session after the March 20 council
meeting, staff was directed to submit
a new offer to North Huron.
The issue as raised during open
council by Councillor Jamie Heffer.
“I’ve had very little negative
comment [on starting a fire
service]”, Heffer said but most of the
comments had been from people
wondering why the two
municipalities couldn’t reach an
agreement to share a fire service.
“I think we need to make one more
attempt to try to reach an agreement.
We should come up with a figure
we’d be willing to pay and a timeline
[for a decision]. Once we get to the
timeline, we go ahead.”
He said he was worried that the
schedule to have a new fire service
up and running was tight and a final
decision couldn’t be delayed much
longer.
Heffer said that when ratepayers
speak to him about the issue “I tell
them from my perspective, I see no
winners. The biggest losers may be
the taxpayers of North Huron.”
Deputy Mayor Jason Beckenridge
agreed with the idea of making one
last approach. “We need to get our
heads around what we think is an
acceptable charge [for North Huron
to supply fire protection].”
“Keep in mind,” said Councillor
Neil Warwick, “that we did approach
them with a proposal in November
and we were basically shown the
door.”
“We need to demonstrate again
that we’ve made an effort,” said
Heffer.
Discussion of the nature of the
proposal was left until council was
in closed session at the end of the
evening.
Meanwhile council received a
further letter and an e-mail from
ratepayers questioning setting up a
fire service. Breckenridge requested
that the mayor make a formal
response to such correspondence
and that the comments and concerns
be recorded.
As well, he said, the plan for the
new fire service should be a working
document. If people point out things
that need to change, the plan should
be changed to solve those
issues.
M-T adopts wheelie bins
M-T makes North Huronfinal fire agreement offer
And they’re off!
Mrs. Middleton’s Grade 3/4 class at Blyth Public School
enjoyed some outdoor activities during the unseasonably
warm spell enjoyed last week. Here, from left, Kal
McNichol, Andrew Gottschal, Adam Shortreed and Mandi
Keir get excited about the relay race they’re running while
Middleton looks on. (Denny Scott photo)
Market receives
three-year grant
Tree program correction
Stratford General Hospital
Main Entrance Open
March 26, 2012!
Construction work is nearing completion and the
Main Entrance is reopening to the public on
Monday, March 26, 2012.
Attention all patients/visitors to the
Stratford General Hospital!
Patients and visitors may enter the hospital
using the Main Entrance off
General Hospital Drive.
Visitor parking is available in lots A and E.
Thank you for your patience
during construction!
By Keith Roulston
The Citizen
By Keith Roulston
The Citizen
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