The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink AboutThe Citizen, 2012-06-07, Page 13THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, JUNE 7, 2012. PAGE 13. Fencing Committee’s function questioned Huron EastCouncil passes turbine motion In the action A bouncey castle was the centrepiece of the picnic following Huron Chapel Evangelical Missionary Church’s anniversary service on Sunday. After the service concluded, dozens of young people were free to enjoy the castle, an inflatable slide or a number of different sports on the church’s grounds. (Vicky Bremner photo) Saying goodbye Pastor Sandra Cable oversaw the final service at Ethel United Church on Sunday. The church was celebrating its 135th anniversary and it was the last service in the church’s history. (Vicky Bremner photo) North Huron Township Council decided to send out its Fencing Committee members to try and settle an issue between neighbours in Wingham despite admissions that they would have no right to impose any rulings. The decision, brought on by complaints from neighbours of a property in town, was debated by council during their June 4 meeting. The Junction Place Homeowners Association wrote a letter to the Fencing Committee Members requesting that they make a ruling against their neighbour’s fence at 363 Shuter Street. The fence, according to councillors, was put up as the association had requested in the past, but they were now unhappy with the implementation stating that the 10 foot height blocked the view from the deck of some of their members. The letter states that these residents, who are senior citizens, have had their “backyard experience ruined” by the “vastness of the fence and [its] height” and has shown to affect the resale value of the homes, according to the letter. The letter also complains that the fence is placed closely to existing privacy fences preventing lawn maintenance. While the letter observes the fact that the fence is in fact in compliance with all requests and bylaws put forward by the municipality township councillors have requested that the fencing committee make a decision on the issue. Reeve Neil Vincent, however, stated that the committee’s purpose is far more rural in practice. “Standard fences were used to control cattle and the fence viewers were brought to work on that,” he said. “They have no power to say where a fence is or how high it should be.” Vincent stated that some municipalities have a minimum height of privacy fence but not many have a maximum height and that is the issue here. Councillor Bernie Bailey said that he didn’t understand why council was debating the issue. “The fence has met the regulations... [and] the fence viewers have no power here,” he said. “It’s met the regulations. We’re just not going to be able to satisfy everyone in this problem, just so we all understand.” Blyth Ward Councillor Brock Vodden agreed stating that this is beyond the mandate of the fence viewers and the power of council and that, unless there is another avenue that hasn’t been presented, council has to say that they can’t help them. Chief Administrative Officer Gary Long stated that, while it may not be what the committee was designed for, the fence viewers had dealt with issues in more urban settings previously referring to a time when they helped broker an agreement between feuding neighbours. A motion was passed that the fence viewers would be instructed to review the issue independently, however the issue was once again addressed during the meetings open forum session. Blyth resident Bill Knott inquired as to why the committee was being paid if there was nothing they could enforce. He stated that the money shouldn’t be spent if nothing could come of it and was thanked for his input by Vincent. “In view of the fact that councillor Alma Conn is vacating her seat in July I would like to move that North Huron Council appoint Archie MacGowan following her vacating her seat,” Deputy-Reeve David Riach stated at North Huron Township’s June 4 meeting. The motion was passed and, according to Reeve Neil Vincent, MacGowan already stated he would give the proposal heavy consideration. Riach made the motion in accordance with MacGowan being a “close” third place finish in the race between himself, Conn and Councillor Bernie Bailey. Council carried the motion and some spoke up saying MacGowan’s experience would be a welcome addition to the table. “I’m very much in favour of this motion,” Councillor Brock Vodden said. “We are in difficult times with serious issues and I think his past experience will be a great asset.” Councillor Bernie Bailey said that being a newer councillor himself, he believes this is the best avenue for council. “We’re sitting in a situation with so many fires to put out and those are very expensive fires to deal with, no pun intended,” he said. “As a councillor who has been here two years, I can say you don’t pick this up right away, I made a few mistakes and we need someone who knows the lay of the land.” Chief Administrative Officer Gary Long stated he had received a letter late Friday afternoon from Wingham resident Arnold Taylor regarding the absent council seat, however its contents were not discussed before the motion was passed unanimously. Huron East Council passed a resolution at its May 29 meeting to help preserve prime agricultural land by not placing wind turbines in rural Ontario. Councillor Bill Siemon brought the motion forward, saying that the Provincial Policy Statement makes such a point of preserving prime agricultural land and placing wind turbines on such land is in direct contradiction to that. Siemon urged the provincial government to consider the effect the turbines may have on prime agricultural land. Clerk-Administrator Brad Knight suggested that perhaps Siemon was cherry-picking a portion of the Provincial Policy Statement and that if he were to look at other parts of the statement, he would find provisions to allow for renewable energy in rural areas. “I don’t see any legal case that could be made against us by supporting the Provincial Policy Statement,” Siemon said. After hearing the wording of the proposed motion, Councillor Andy Flowers, who had initially spoken against the motion, asked Knight if he “had his tap-dancing shoes on” when he wrote the motion. Flowers said the motion was crafted perfectly and as it side-steps any issues the municipality could have with the Green Energy Act. The motion passed unanimously by a vote of 10-0 with Mayor Bernie MacLellan and Councillor David Blaney declaring conflicts of interest. The motion will now be forwarded to Premier Dalton McGuinty, Minister of Energy Chris Bentley, Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs Ted McMeekin, Huron-Bruce MPP Lisa Thompson and the Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO). Please note our telephone process and system is being upgraded. We apologize for the inconvenience. We are working with the team and supplier to complete as soon as possible. If you have specific concerns, please contact Barb Major-McEwan at 519-600-2273 ext 211 or at b.majormcewan@hcfht.ca. NOTICE Huron community Family Health Team Sixth Anniversary We pay the tax - check out the in-store specials. Friday - Sunday June 8 - 9 - 10 Open Fri. 10-6 Sat. 10-4, Sun. 11-4 Time Flies When You’re Having Fun! Teeswater 519-392-7037 By Shawn Loughlin The Citizen By Denny Scott The Citizen MacGowan appointed By Denny Scott The Citizen