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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2011-03-17, Page 13THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, MARCH 17, 2011. PAGE 13. Group invited to ACW meeting Municipal petition now at post office ACW interestedin Health Unit septic program Top o’ the pancake Travis Teed of the Auburn Lions was making pancakes on Sunday for the club’s annual St. Patrick’s Day breakfast, a little early this year, at the Auburn Community Hall. (Jim Brown photo) Some angry remarks from the Dungannon and District Lions Club led Ashfield-Colborne-Wawanosh Reeve Ben Van Diepenbeek to invite the group to council. In a letter to council, the Dungannon group stated that ACW council has turned down several requests from the group, including garbage pick up, grass cutting services and, most recently, a port-a- potty being placed at the Dungannon Agricultural Hall year round. The Lions are frustrated, the letter states, because they feel that the requests are minimal compared to the funds that council puts towards the Goderich YMCA and Lucknow Arena, which they feel “only the well-off can afford”. They feel that the perceived lack of support makes it hard for small towns and clubs to function. Van Diepenbeek stated that he was frustrated because of how much they do for local groups and centres and how it is overlooked. “We do a lot for these people and After nearly a year of research, The Huron County health unit has dropped the Mandatory Septic Inspection program price to a level that councillors in Ashfield- Colborne-Wawanosh (ACW) are comfortable with. After originally being in favour of the health unit’s plan, ACW councillors learned that the price tag, which was in excess of $350 per household per inspection every seven to 10 years, was much higher than a similar program being offered in Tiny Township, a region around southern Georgian Bay. Council requested that Chief Building Official Kirk Livingston price out a program, and Livingston’s final tally came in at $25.80 per house per year for a five- year inspection rotation. Each ratepayer would end up paying approximately $129 per inspection. Recently, the health unit released new numbers, that would cost individual ratepayers $31.90 per year on a five-year inspection rotation, with a final price tag of $154.98 per inspection. Council decided that, for the additional $5 to $6 per year over their own plan, it would be best to go with the Huron County health unit’s plan, as capital costs, such as equipment upgrades and replacement, wouldn’t be directly applied to ACW ratepayers in the program, and would instead be amortized across the entire county. Upon review of the two plans, some discrepancies still exist, most notably the difference in travel expenses incurred by the inspectors. ACW’s project forecasted mileage to cost $51,600 per year, while the health unit’s plan for ACW has travel listed at $29,154 per year. Livingston stated that he was unsure how the health unit would come to those numbers, and Bob Worsell was unavailable for explantation as of press time. Livingston’s $380,669.70 project’s major expenses also included salaries, staff time and benefits ($194,180), providing reports from the inspections ($31,723) and obtaining records from the health unit (2,951 records at $5 each plus photocopying for a total of $14,755). Comparatively, the health unit’s plan will cost $273,078 for salaries and benefits and has no set expenses for producing reports from the inspections. The Auburn Playground Committee met on March 3 at the Auburn Hall to discuss upcoming events for 2011. A date for a summer event has been chosen, so keep Saturday, June 25 open as the committee will either be planning a fundraising event or a community celebration if the Trillium grant application is approved. The application has been submitted and the committee would like to thank everyone who sent in letters of support. There was an amazing response to this request. The committee would also like to extend their appreciation to the Collins family for their donation to the playground in memory of George Collins. George was a valued member of our community and will be greatly missed. The next meeting of the Auburn Playground Committee is scheduled for Wednesday, April 6 at 7 p.m. at the Auburn Hall. New members are always welcome. For those residents who have been looking forward to signing one of the petitions regarding the issue of choosing one municipality with which to amalgamate, a petition will be posted on the bulletin board in the post office. With the wonderful weather as of late, along with the everyday business of life, it has been difficult to get out when people are home to get signatures. If you are interested stop in to the post office. COUNTY OF HURON MUNICIPAL CLASS ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT FOR REHABILITATION OF THE LONDESBORO ROAD BRIDGE NOTICE OF COMMENCEMENT THE PROJECT: The County of Huron is planning to carry out repairs to the Londesboro Road Bridge, which is located immediately east of the community of Londesborough on County Road 15. The structure spans a tributary of the Maitland River (Pollard Municipal Drain) as illustrated on the accompanying key plan. The rehabilitation project would involve the replacement/repair of deteriorated bridge components. This will include the replacement of the existing concrete railings with solid concrete barriers or parapet walls and concrete repairs to the deck. At this time, it is anticipated that the bridge rehabilitation would be completed during the 2011 construction season. The affected road section of Londesboro Road would remain open during the construction period; however lane restrictions would be necessary. THE ENVIRONMENTAL SCREENING PROCESS: The planning for this project is following the environmental screening process set out for Schedule B activities under the Municipal Class Environmental Assessment (Class EA) document. The purpose of the screening process is to identify any potential environmental impacts associated with the project and to plan for appropriate mitigation of any impacts. The process includes consultation with the public, stakeholders and government review agencies. PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT: The consultation program for this Class EA includes several opportunities for public involvement. For the initial phase of the program, public input will be received until April 8, 2011. Additional opportunities for comment will be provided as the process proceeds. Any comments collected in conjuction with the Class EA will be maintained on file for use during the project and may be included in project documentation. With the exception of personal information, all comments will become part of the public record. For further information on this project, or to review the Class EA process, please contact the Project Engineer: B.M. Ross and Associates, 62 North Street, Goderich, Ontario N7A 2T4. Telephone 519-524-2641. Fax 519-524-4403. Attention: Kelly Vader, Environmental Planner (e-mail: kvader@bmross.net.). This Notice issued March 9, 2011 Dave Laurie, Director of Public Works County of Huron REPRINTS OF PHOTOS taken by Citizen photographers are available to purchase. ALL ARE IN COLOUR 4x6 - $4.00 5x7 - $5.00 8x10 - $8.00 Phone to order ~ 519-523-4792 or 519-887-9114 Huron County Transportation Demand Management (TDM) Plan Notice of Public Open House The County of Huron invites you to attend a public open house to review and provide comments on the Draft Transportation Demand Management Plan. The Plan assesses travel needs and provides recommendations on transportation programs and services such as car and vanpooling, shuttle bus, walking and cycling. A copy of the Draft Plan is available on the County website at www.huroncounty.ca or visit the display booth at the following location. Event:Contractors Conference Location:Knights of Columbus Hall, Date:Friday, March 25, 2011 390 Parsons Court, Goderich, ON Time:9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. By Koreen Moss 519-526-1060 kandkmoss@ sympatico.ca PEOPLE AROUND AUBURN NEWS FROM AUBURN ON $6.00 THURSDAYS Drop into either of our offices any Thursday with your word classified (maximum 20 words) and pay only $6.00 + HST (paid in advance). That’s $1.00 off regular rates. The Citizen By Denny Scott The Citizen By Denny Scott The Citizen Continued on page 23