HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2008-02-07, Page 19THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 2008. PAGE 19. Elaine Hardy, of the Ministry of
the Environment, indicated to
council through e-mail that she
would inform Ashfield-Colborne-
Wawanosh councillors the moment
that the MOE report on wind
turbines is released.
“I will receive an email from them
just as soon as the report is
released,” Hardy wrote to clerk,
Mark Becker.
“It’s pretty self-explanatory here,"
Becker said. "[We still have] no idea
when the report is going to be
released.”
Guns
With just two councillors in
opposition, council has agreed to
allow Sunday gun hunting. In
September of 2006, A-C-W voted
against Sunday gun hunting
suggested by the Ontario Federation
of Anglers and Hunters and Ministry
of Natural Resoucres (MNR).
The federation, in a letter to
council, stated reasons behind the
proposal, including reducing losses
suffered by farmers as a result of
crop damage, and public safety
concern with a growing population
of deer. A-C-W will forward their
decision to the MNR.
Bridge inspections
A-C-W -intends to make an on-line application for construction-ready municipal infrastructureprojects in 2008.
The province allows on-line
applications to be made until Feb.
15, and A-C-W intends to submit
one application for the replacement
of the River Mill Line bridge.
B.M. Ross and Associates have
recently completed inspections of
the bridge in question, and all other
bridges within ACW.
The company carried out a site
review of the 72 bridges in A-C-W
to address provincial regulations
which stipulate that all bridges are to
be inspected by an engineer every
two years to identify any safety
concerns. It was noted that the
condition of some structures has
continued to deteriorate and a few
immediate safety concerns were
identified.
The steel beam guiderails at
structure 45 on River Mill Line are
no longer attached to the structure,
and only supported by posts. B.M.
Ross suggested that the guiderails be
reattached and maintained regularly,
or the structure be replaced.
The review primarily consisted of
a visual site inspection of the bridge
structures. Occasionally, a hammer
was used to test the soundness of the
concrete components. Of the 72 52
are located in Ashfield, whileWawanosh claims 12, and Colborneeight. Mammoth parade
Look out, the Lucknow Reunion
Committee has requested a detour.
The celebration committee has
requested to reroute traffic on the
day of their 150th anniversary
parade through A-C-W.
According to committee members
Marilynne and Dale Gilchrist, a
“mammoth” parade is set for
Saturday, July 26.
They asked that council permit the
use of Zion Road, Harper Line, and
Tower Line exclusively from 10 a.m.
until the parade is completed.
Councillors agreed to supply
barricades and allow use of the
roadways.
Plowing
Council has been looking into
extending the hours of snowplowing
service.
Public works superintendent Brian
Van Osch prepared a report for
councillors at the Jan. 22 meeting
which outlined the current policy
status of surrounding municipalities
in regards to keeping the roads clear
in the case of a snow event.
Currently, A-C-W, like Central
and North Huron, and Huron-
Kinloss, has no set policy, and
operate their maintenance
equipment in one shift. The County of Huron regulatestwo shifts per day, and all followminimum maintenance standards.
“All other municipalities I
contacted do not have or want a
policy to set snowplowing hours,”
Van Osch told council in his Jan. 22
snowplowing report. “They all agree
that this would set the Township up
for liability issues. All municipalities
follow the minimum maintenance
standards, as does A-C-W.”
In the case of heavy snowfall or
ice, A-C-W currently has equipment
operating from 5 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Council was asked to review the
current plans, and consider adding a
policy to regulate specific times
during harsh weather.
“A set time could bind legal
issues,” Van Osch told Council.
Reeve Ben Van Diepenbeek
suggested to Van Osch that it was at
the discretion of him and the lead
hand to determine whether to staff
the equipment for a second shift.
“We could leave it at [your]
discretion in conjunction with the
lead hand to decide whether or not to
go out in the evenings," said Van
Diepenbeek.
Council has agreed to leave thecurrent snow plan as-is for the timebeing.
Thanks to funding from The
Ontario Trillium Foundation, and to
many hours of effort from
volunteers, The Maitland Trail
Association (MTA) has announced
the publication of the Maitland Trail
and Associated Trails in the
Goderich Area guide.
The guide offers full colour
detailed maps and informative text
describing conditions that might be
found on the trails as well as
pointing out places of geographic,
historic and cultural interest. This
information will enable local
residents and visitors to use the local
trails and appreciate the natural
beauty of the Maitland River Valley,
and enjoy walking and hiking in the
area.
The 48 km. Maitland Trail, from
Goderich to Auburn, is divided into
five sections with a map for each
section. These detailed maps show
contour lines, landmarks and
distances. MTA volunteers checked
the trail distances using GPS (Global
Positioning System) units.
Geographic Information System
(GIS) computer mapping was then
contracted to the County of Huron
planning and development
department.
The guide also features detailed
maps and descriptions for the
following Goderich area trails:
Goderich to Auburn Rail Trail
(GART); Maitland Woods;
Millennium Trail; and the Sifto
Loop.
In addition, a physical and
biological overview of the Maitland
River Valley is included.
Copies of this guide are available
from: Tourism Goderich Info
Centre; Riverline Nature Company
Kingston St in Goderich; County of
Huron planning and development
department, Court House Goderich;
Finchers in Goderich and from
Maitland Trail members. The guides
cost $15, with MTA members
receiving a discounted price of $10
per copy.
Proceeds go towards MTA and are
directed to the costs of trail
maintenance.
Ashfield-Colborne-Wawanosh councilCouncil will be informed of MOE report
Twenty-five members of the
Auxiliary to Wingham and District
Hospital attended the January
meeting and heard that, because of
their efforts at fundraising in 2007,
the Auxiliary will be able to increase
its donation to the hospital this
year.
The Auxiliary will provide funds
to purchase several items on the
hospital's wish list, including a vital
signs monitor, two venoscopes and a
bariatric wheelchair.
Successful projects during the past
year were: two rummage sales,
operation of the gift shop in the front
lobby of the hospital, monthly
bridge games in Wingham and
Lucknow, and a well attended
poinsettia tea in December.
The Auxiliary provided supplies
for the teen volunteers to make gifts
for patients at Christmas time.
President Shirley Kaufman
chaired the meeting and thanked
members for their hard work.
Helen Rintoul, board
representative reported to members
on the ongoing activities of the
Board. She and Verna Steffler
answered members' questions on the
redevelopment project and the Local
Health Integrated Network.
The New Year's baby was born on
Jan. 11, and was presented with a
gift from the Auxiliary.
Members were urged to attend
the spring conference in Palmerston
on April 28, and to volunteer for
jobs at the spring rummage sale on
April 16 and 17 at the Wingham
Legion.
Blyth Rd., Auburn 519-526-7759
NOW LICENSED
UNDER LIQUOR LICENCE ACT
OF ONTARIO
Stickers Family Restaurant
Monday - 6:30 - 4:00;
Tuesday & Wednesday 6:30 - 8:00;
Thursday, Friday & Saturday 6:30 - 9:00;
Sunday 9:00 - 7:00
Saturday,
February 9
Wings &
Fries
5 pm - 9 pmFriday Smorg. ~ 5 pm - 8 pm
Sunday Smorg. ~ 4 - 7 pm
Forthcoming
Marriage
Kevin and Barb Pletch
and
Ken and Deb VanBeek
are pleased to announce
the engagement
of their children
Tania Pletch
and
Andrew VanBeek
Their wedding
will take place
September 20th, 2008.
Happy 75th
Birthday
Come celebrate
Nan Gore’s
75th Birthday
at a
Come-and-Go Tea
at Blyth United Church
Saturday, February 9
1:30 - 4:00
Best wishes only
Birthday Wishes
to Lawrence Plaetzer
We wish you many more
satisfying times of farming,
teasing, card game
challenges, curling games,
Lonestar viewing, chasing
the squirrels out of the
birdfeeder, dining at the
Grand View and excursions
with friends and family. We
are blessed to have you
enriching our lives with your
love, sense of humour,
enduring support and
dedication to us and to
keeping the fire from going
out in the woodstove!
Happy 80th
on Feb. 9!!!
With love, pride and
appreciation
— your family
By Dominique MilburnGoderich Signal Star
Auxiliary increases donation
New guide for Huron trails