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The Citizen, 2008-06-12, Page 24PAGE 24. THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, JUNE 12, 2008. The Howson Dam in Wingham is going to be getting a close-up inspection. At the North Huron council meeting of June 2 a motion passed to have B.M. Ross and Associates conduct an inspection report, a replacement cost study and a safety assessment for an approximate cost of $20,000. Administrator-clerk Kriss Snell said that after meeting with Minister of Natural Resources Donna Cansfield, a promise was made that regional officers from the Ministry of Transportation would come to see the dam and bridge. Snell said two representatives were in Wingham at the end of May. “It was a positive meeting.” Snell said it was brought to his attention that bridge inspections are required every two years. “We haven’t done that for either the Howson dam or the railroad bridge. Even thought it’s for pedestrian traffic, we need to do this, though I don’t see there will be a lot of issues.” Another suggestion was a safety assessment to look at risks if the dam fails. The cost breakdown is an inspection report on both the Howson Dam and railroad bridge at a cost of $1,750 plus GST each; a replacement cost study on Howson dam for $7,200, plus GST and the safety assement on the dam at a cost of $9,300 plus GST. Snell said there is about $100,000 in a special reserve fund for Howson dam which could be used. “We need the inspections done as swiftly as possible.” Subsequent inspections will be considerably less, said councillor Archie MacGowan, who had been present during the officers’ visit. “They will be about $400 for years two and four.” The sixth year is a major review at $800 Public works director Ralph Campbell agreed saying that a number of bridges, none of them major reviews, were inspected in North Huron last year at a total cost of $2,200. Council approved all three reports with the money to come from the special reserve fund. County council at its June 2 meeting supported a tax reduction initiative from Huron East for heritage properties. Brad Knight, secretary of the Huron East heritage advisory committee attended the May cultural services and seniors committee meeting to make a presentation. Knight said that Huron East currently has close to 60 properties with historical designation. Most are in Seaforth’s downtown core. Heritage properties, Knight said have a tendency to be more expensive to maintain and operate, thus Huron East has announced two incentive programs, tax relief and a loan. While there was some mild concern from a few county councillors about everyone with an old building coming forward for a tax break, it was noted that a number of criteria must be met for eligibility. “The tax reduction, I understand, will barely cover the cost of what is required to maintain a heritage property,” said Huron East councillor Joe Seili. “Watch what you ask for.” Sale! The annual book sale at Memorial Hall to benefit the Blyth Festival took place over the weekend. The hall was filled with tables and tables of books as patrons streamed in throughout the day. The book sale is one of the festival’s biggest fundraisers of the year. (Shawn Loughlin photo) Howson dam to get once over The June committee of the wholewill be the first opportunity for Huron County councillors to respond to the Hugh Thomas report. At a special meeting of the board of health in April, a recommendation was made that the board retain Thomas for a third-party independent review of the roles and responsibilities of the board within the county. That report came to county council for information at the May meeting. On May 20 the board of health discussed it at a special meeting. From that a recommendation was made that the report recommendations be adopted and the board “respectfully” requested county council do the same. However, as the board is a separate entity, no discussion could occur at the county’s June 2 meeting on the recommendation. “All council can do is ask a question,” said chief administrative officer Larry Adams. He suggested tabling the motion to committee of the whole for discussion. “A lot of councillors not on the board would like an opportunity to discuss this report,” said Adams. While the health board is self- directed, it cannot proceed on therecommendations until the county isin agreement.“There were some good points,”said councillor Joe Seili of Huron East, “but I don’t agree with all of them. I want to make sure this comes back to county.” Ashfield-Colborne-Wawanosh councillor Ben Van Diepenbeek, who is chair of the health board, wondered what the point of having an autonomous body is if the county can “supercede” it. Warden John Bezaire of Central Huron explained that the county did not have the ability to override a board decision. However, “neither body can bind the other. This has to be done with a spirit of co- operation.” “Has the board not had an opportunity to discuss this?” asked Central Huron councillor Bert Dykstra. “This (recommendation) is just asking the county to do the same.” Following the committee of the whole discussion, the issue will be brought back to the July council meeting. 404 Queen St., Blyth 519-523-4792 541 Turnberry St., Brussels 519-887-9114 The Citizen Check out these and other books at: GGrreeaatt BBooookkss FFoorr GGrreeaatt DDaaddss DON’T TURN YOUR BACK IN THE BARN Veterinarian Dave Perrin recalls his unforgettable first year as a vet in rural British Columbia. $23.95 THE NEW WOODBURNER’S HANDBOOK In these days of rising energy costs the savings from burning wood can be substantial. This is a guide to safe and efficient woodburning, everything from choosing a stove to maintaining a chimney. $19.95 A PADDLER’S GUIDE TO WEEKEND ADVENTURES IN SOUTHERN ONTARIO You don’t have to travel north to have happy adventures on the water. They’re as close as the Beaver River or the Bruce Peninsula. $19.95 DECKSCAPING Suggestions for trellises, arbours, planters,plants, vines and furniture to enhance your outdoor livingroom. 160 pages of ideas. $29.95 LAKE BOATS: The Enduring Vessels of the Great Lakes Many people in Ontario are surrounded by water, but we tend to forget the importance of shipping. This large format colour book takes you on board to share the life. $40.00 MAILBOXES Want to have a unique mailbox? This books offers 20 step- by-step projects to build your own or customize a commercially-made mailbox. $18.50 CKNX RADIO & TELEVISION: The History and the People No one is better positioned to tell the CKNX history than Ross Hamilton, associated with the station for 50 years. From his collection comes this scrapbook of stories and photos. $24.95 Committee of the wholeto discuss Thomas reportBy Bonnie GroppThe Citizen BUY? SELL? TRY CLASSIFIED By Bonnie Gropp The Citizen County supports HE request By Bonnie Gropp The Citizen BE A FACE IN THE FIGHT AGAINST CANCER BECAUSE CANCER IS IN YOUR COMMUNITY, SO ARE WE. Your donation is needed to fund life-saving cancer research and vital support services for people living with cancer. Please give generously when a Canadian Cancer Society volunteer knocks at your door this April. www.cancer.ca HELP US MAKE CANCER HISTORY.