HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2010-09-02, Page 28Continued from page 10
water is concerned, and this
ammendment could affect their
water.
The group stated that many of the
cottages use water that is part of a
naturally-occurring spring that
literally spews forth from the side of
the hill that the gravel pit is
suggested to be built on.
Despite expert reports and
scientific studies that state the gravel
pit would have a minimal effect on
the water tables and qualities in the
area, the cottage owners insisted that
their water would be drastically
affected by the digging and could
become affected by any accidents
that may occur in the pit itself.
Jennison’s representation, in an
attempt to allay the worries of the
cottage owners, stated that the
company would be doing the
excavating in phases over as many
as three decades to reduce the
environmental impact. Each phase
would be reforested and replaced
before moving on to the next to
attempt to minimize the impact felt
by the cottagers downhill.
The area in question is near other
gravel pits, most notably, two
directly to the north. However, those
two pits do not have the same
residential growth around them.
Melody Bezaire of the
neighbouring cottage area Ferhhurst
Glen spoke out against the pit,
stating that many of the cottagers
rely on a natural spring that provides
water for their summer homes.
“The natural spring provides
water for our summer homes,” she
said. “And stops the swamp at the
bottom of the hill from stagnating.”
Bezaire stated that spills could
contaminate the natural springs in
the area and the noise and vibration
of heavy equipment and trucks
could have adverse effects on
mammals and fish, as well as
recreational activities in and around
the waterways of the area.
To end her speech, Bezaire quoted
a sign that is posted throughout the
area - “No gravel pit along the
Maitland.”
Doug Robinson, another property
owner, requested that some
guarantee of water protection be
provided to the concerned parties.
The representatives of Jennison
stated that corner test wells were
dug on the property and that they
would use the water level
extrapolated from those four test
wells to ensure that they never come
within more than a metre and a half
of the underground water table.
Council decided, in the end, to set
a second date for more concerns to
be heard, before deciding on the
amendments, on October 5.
According to the cottage owners, a
similar motion was made
approximately ten years ago and
was turned down then because of the
potential environmental impacts.
Huron East Council voted to allowall-terrain vehicles (ATVs) on itsroads, passing a bylaw at its August
24 meeting.
A bylaw was introduced to council
by Clerk-Administrator Jack
McLachlan at the meeting, despite
thoughts from some councillors that
there would be a report, then further
discussion before a bylaw was
prepared and presented to council.
McLachlan, however, said he
understood it differently, thinking
that he was charged with drafting a
bylaw for council to vote on at the
August 24 meeting, which is what
he did.
Councillor David Blaney said he
was concerned about legal liability
and the specifics of the bylaw, rather
than just voting on a blanket bylaw
that will allow the vehicles on Huron
East streets. McLachlan read the
bylaw to council.
The bylaw details the usage,
saying that these vehicles may only
be driven on Huron East streets
between 6 a.m. and 11:30 p.m. and
that they may only be driven at aspeed of 20 kilometres per hourwhen the road’s speed limit is notgreater than 50 kilometres per hourand that they may only be driven at aspeed of 50 kilometres per hour if
the speed limit is 80 kilometres per
hour.
The bylaw also outlines several
terms of usage, such as that the
operator must be wearing a helmet at
all times and that the vehicles may
not be driven on municipal
sidewalks.
Councillor Les Falconer said he
had less faith in the regulations than
many of the other councillors,
saying that riders won’t abide by the
rules and that the municipality will
begin to see crop damage as a result
of these vehicles that the
municipality will have to pay
property owners for like they do
with livestock kills.
Councillor Joe Steffler, however,
said that once the vehicles are
regulated, he expects to see
responsible usage, similar to when
snowmobiles were allowed in the
municipality.
The bylaw will be enforced by the
Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) aswell, which was another concern ofseveral councillors, thinking that themunicipal bylaw officer would beunable to enforce such a law.Mayor Joe Seili said that it wouldbe unfair to not pass the bylawbecause of a few bad apples.“It’ll be the two per cent that ruinit for the rest of them,” he said.Falconer, however, remainedunconvinced, saying that riders willsoon venture off municipal roads tofind mudpits and ruins fields andcrops.PAGE 28. THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 2, 2010.Huron East votes to allow ATVs on streets
Residents say no to
gravel pit in ACW
8 tables in play at
Ethel euchre party
On the trail
The annual tradition of Wawanosh By Moonlight at the Wawanosh Nature Centre took its spin
through the grounds on August 18 with help from Jayne Thompson, right, of the Maitland Valley
Conservation Authority. (Shawn Loughlin photo)
The Ethel euchre was held on
Monday,Aug. 23 with eight tables in
play.
Winners were: share the wealth,
Rex Whaley and Helen Cullen; high,
Hilda Holmes and Helen Cullen;
low, Eileen Ament and Rex Whaley;
lone hands, Edna McLellan and
Eileen Mann. There were numerous
lucky tally winners.
The next euchre will be held on
Monday, Sept. 6 at 8 p.m.
By Shawn LoughlinThe Citizen
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