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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2010-11-18, Page 1THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2010. PAGE 7.Septic inspections hotly contested at County COW The Health Unit’s heavily scrutinized mandatory septic system inspection program proposal returned to Huron County Council on Nov. 10, making little progress. Bob Worsell and Susanna Reid made a presentation at the Committee of the Whole Day One meeting, following up on their March appearance. The pair had since made presentations to all nine of Huron County’s lower-tier municipalities, receiving several approvals in principle for the program. The municipalities that had approved the program in principle were Bluewater, Goderich, Central Huron and North Huron. The program had not been approved by Huron East, Howick and Morris- Turnberry. The two remaining municipalities did not make a decision. An approval in principle, however, even came under scrutiny, as the program, when presented to the lower-tier municipalities, came with options for a seven or 12-year cycle. In last week’s proposal, asking that the plan be approved in principle throughout Huron County and be added to budget discussions for 2011, a five-year cycle had been proposed due to changes in the Ontario Building Code. Councillor David Johnston of Bluewater, for one, questioned the change, saying that the proposal being presented now differed from what his council had approved in principle. Since the schedule had been changed to have an inspection occur every five years, the cost had also changed. In the March proposal, an inspection was estimated to cost $322 per inspection. New estimates reduced the per-inspection cost to be $155, which would come out to $31 per landowner, per year. This would not include the cost of a pump-out,which would be mandatory for theinspection. However, following up on Johnston’s comments, if municipalities were to pull out of the project, costs for the remaining municipalities would go up. Worsell said the costs being presented were based on full participation in the program throughout Huron County, and its approximately 15,000 septic systems. Worsell said the actual cost to the Health Unit per inspection is $138 and that the hope was that the extra cost would help offset the $125,000 set-up costs. Beyond costs, however, concerns over the validity of the program, no matter what it cost, remained. Huron East’s mayor-elect Bernie MacLellan brought the concerns of Huron East Councillor Larry McGrath to the council table, saying that this inspection process would actually tell inspectors very little about the health and functionality of someone’s septic system. Worsell said that the main purpose of the program is still to educate people on safe practices with their septic systems, another point that was challenged by MacLellan. “At $31 a year, it seems like a lot to let someone know where their septic system is,” MacLellan said. MacLellan was also upset that Worsell and the rest of those involved had missed the point of what he had requested. He said he asked for a detailed, step-by-step outline of what would happen at a typical inspection and all that was presented on Nov. 10 was an “updated budget”. Huron East Councillor Bill Siemon also had concerns over voting on the approval in principle, saying that Huron East had opted out of the program, so he didn’t see why he should be voting to approvea program for the municipalitieswho voted in favour of it. He said he would be voting against the recommendation. Councillor Deb Shewfelt from Goderich became increasingly angry as debate went on, saying “we have a problem, we have a model. We know we have a problem on thelakefront.”At one point, chair of the committee Dorothy Kelly had to bring the meeting back to order, as a full-scale yelling match had broken out. Huron East Mayor Joe Seili continued to debate the motion after a motion to table therecommendation had been put onthe floor, prompting Councillor John Grace to inform Seili that he was “out of order”. The motion was tabled until further information could be brought to council regarding the program. CAFÉ More than just a great sandwich! Friday Night 5 pm - 7 pm Nov. 19 - Prime Rib Nov.26 - Rolled Ribs & Dressing Dec. 3 - Chicken Cordon Bleu Community Christmas Carols Join us at 6:30 pm at the Gazebo Nov. 25 10% off a soup and junior sandwich Shop Brussels for Christmas! 401 Turnberry St., Brussels 519-887-8011 Holly Daze Moonlight Sale Thursday, November 25, 5 - 8 pm Show your receipt from any purchase at a Brussels business during Holly Daze Moonlight Sale and get Primitive Wares Tattered & Torn 519-887-9594 Needful Things For All Seasons Original Designs by Kim Perrier 425 Turnberry St., Brussels Special Draws......... Hot Cider & Cookies Store Hours: Wed. 4 pm -7 pm; Thurs. 11 am - 3 pm & 4-8 pm; Fri., Sat., Sun. 11 am - 3 pm 440 Turnberry Street, Brussels 519-887-6851 14th Annual Open House and Christmas Sale Thursday, November 25 5 pm - 8 pm • Good selection of premium chocolates by Chocolate Barr’s available • Wood pellet BBQ demo - hamburgers, hot dogs charity BBQ (proceeds to Brussels Minor Hockey) apple cider • treats • door prizes • All Giftware, home décor, candles and Christmas items 25% off Follow the light in the sky to savings OLDFIELD’S Enjoy Shopping in Brussels for theEnjoy Shopping in Brussels for theHolly Daze Moonlight Sale Thursday, November 25Thursday, November 25 5 pm - 8 pm5 pm - 8 pm Massage Reiki Aesthetics Sunless Tanning 25% Off Spa Products Turnberry St., Brussels 519-887-9682 www.solacespa.ca Gift Cards Door Prizes New Products Gift With Purchase Join us for a tree lighting in the Gazebo Park at 6:15 p.m. Christmas at... Door Pizes Refreshments In-Store Specials 42845B Newry Rd., R.R. #3 Brussels (located at Brussels Livestock) 519-887-9391 Thursday, November 25 8 am - 5 pm Friday, November 26 8 am - 9 pm Saturday, November 27 8 am - 5 pm By Shawn LoughlinThe Citizen Workshop for HIV/AIDS held in Huron A one-day workshop this month about HIV/AIDS in Huron County brought health care providers together to learn more. The workshop was sponsored by the Huron County HIV/AIDS Network and hosted by the Huron County Health Unit. Sandy Garnet, Executive Director of the Network, says research shows that Huron County residents are continuing to put themselves at risk of getting HIV/AIDS. “Health care providers in Huron need to have information because they will likely be involved with someone living with HIV/AIDS at some point in their career.” The workshop included information on prevention, testing, treatment and services available in Huron County. It also included guest speakers from Huron County who live with AIDS. Garnet says the conference was very informative and worthwhile. She says they would like to continue to provide information and education to health care providers. Garnet says it’s also important to educate the public in Huron County as well. She encourages anyone interested in learning more about HIV/AIDS to visit their website at www.hchan.ca World AIDS Day is Dec. 1.