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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2009-10-15, Page 29THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, OCTOBER 15, 2009. PAGE 29.The Blyth shed, to be built at thecampgrounds, once again causedsome discussion at North Huroncouncil. At the Oct. 5 meeting, councillor James Campbell said that he had been approached by two contractors who had not been able to meet thedeadline for the first tender, but feltthey should have been given anopportunity to try again when adecision was made to change theproject. Initially, the plan had been to build a washroom/shower/laundry facility at the site, funded in part by a grant. However, when the only tender submitted came in at over $500,000,council, with consideration given tomeeting the government deadline,gave approval to make changes inthe original plan. Director of recreation/facilities PatNewson and the contractor worked on the plans and submitted a recommendation in September for a barebones structure, to be used as storage for now, with future potential for washrooms, showers and laundry. This has brought the contractor’s price down to $114,737,63, leavingmoney in the budget for design costsand extra items. “These other guys were going tohave to get subcontractors and feltthe time was too short to submit atender,” said Campbell. “But they felt that now that the project was smaller they could have bid.” Noting that all the contractors would have been working with the same information, councillor Archie MacGowan said, “They had as much ability to submit something as the winning contractor.” “We were all looking at thetimelines,” said reeve Neil Vincent.“While it would have been laudableto give them a chance, we felt thatunder the deadlines imposed therewasn’t time.”He added that a contractor had been chosen who was willing to scale back his work and come back within the budget. “I think we have to look at it as water under the bridge,” said Vincent. Clerk-administrator Kriss Snell said that the council has the authority to negotiate with a successful low bidder on a project. “This was it,” he added. Councillor raises issue about tender process The board members of the corporations of the Listowel Memorial Hospital and the wingham and District Hospital announce, with deep regret, the resignations of Treves Lucas, Listowel board chair and Steve Jackson, Wingham board vice-chair. Lucas and Jackson are commended for their leadership and contribution to both boards over the past few years. In challenging times, their thoughtful perspectives were a great value to the board’s work. Margaret Stapleton will continue as the chair of the Wingham and District Hospital Corporation Board and Rob Hutchison has been elected to the vice-chair position. Kris Dekker is the new board chair of the Listowel Memorial Hospital Corporation and June Williamson has been elected to the vice-chair position. By Bonnie GroppThe Citizen The Honorable Rob Merrifield, PC, MP responded to concerns from North Huron council regarding rural postal services in the community. In a letter, included in council’s Oct. 5 agenda, Merrifield said that “rural post offices are essential for the identity and economic stabilty of small communities across Canada.” In 2006, he continued, the government directed Canada Post to maintain rural service and “we will continue to be steadfast in our defence of the rural post office.” The government, he said, is maintaining the moratorium on the closure of rural post offices. Clerk-administrator Kriss Snell told council he believed this applied to full service post offices, not outlets, such as the one in Belgrave. *** A surprise inspection by the Ministry of Labour at the North Huron Wescast Community Complex turned up some minor changes necessary. However, Snell said, there were no significant issues. *** Marg Webster attended as a representative from the Wingham Optimists to discuss the Santa Claus parade. The organization has disbanded and is looking to the township to take over this event, as well as the annual Easter egg hunt that the Optimists had done in the past. Council will consider this at committee of the whole. *** Construction on Josephine Street in Wingham will begin in 2011. *** Council approved payment of the general accounts in the amount of $454,580.19 and the water accounts totalling $17,867.76. Recognition North Huron clerk-administrator Kriss Snell presented deputy-clerk director human resources Kathy Adams with a certificate for 20 years of service in municipal administration. 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