HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2008-11-06, Page 27Huron East council voted to
proceed to the next step of a
controversial sewer study in
Egmondville.
The findings of the initial stage
were presented to council at its Oct.
21 meeting.
Kelly Vader from B.M. Ross and
Associates gave the detailed
presentation to councillors who had
to decide whether to continue the
process, which would cost $65,000
in addition to the $40,000 already
spent said clerk-administrator Jack
McLachlan. So while the
municipality is now on the hook for
the next portion of the study, there
still has been no motion on sewers
one way or the other.
A public meeting will now be held
for residents on Nov. 13 at 8 p.m. at
the Seaforth District Community
Centre. Vader will be present to give
her presentation.
At the meeting there will be a vote
on the implementation of sewers in
Egmondville.
Three big concerns presented by
Vader were the age of a large
percentage of current septic systems
in Egmondville, the amount of time
that has passed since the last pump-
out of some systems and the amount
of E-coli being found in local
waterways.
Vader’s study found 27 per cent of
septic systems in Egmondville in the
medium-risk department and 21 per
cent in the high-risk department
based on age and damage factors.
The study also found that 60 per cent
of the septic systems are over 20
years old, which is what Vader said
she considered to be a good
timeframe to begin considering
replacement or upgrades.
Pumping the systems out was also
an area of concern. There were
several factors to consider when
evaluating the numbers, Vader said.
In Egmondville, 70 per cent of
homes held just one or two people.
An average septic tank is made for a
family, so suggested pump-out
timelines may not refer directly to
these households.
In Egmondville, 40 per cent of
people are pumping their systems
out every four to six years, 30 per
cent are waiting over seven years
and 15-20 per cent have never
pumped their systems.
Vader conducted 125 interviews
with Egmondville residents, asking
them questions about their septic
systems and how they feel about the
option of sewer expansion into the
village.
Vader said comments against the
replacement of septic systems
largely had to do with residents’ age
as well as cost. Some also said that if
there are problems withcontamination, but their system ismaintained and functioningproperly, that they would be unfairly
punished for the negligence of others
in the area.
When tallying up the numbers,
Vader said, 56 per cent of residents
were either supportive or indifferent
to sewers in Egmondville.
The third and largest concern was
the contamination of local
waterways. In Vader’s summary, her
first point of interest was simply,
“Contamination is occurring.”
With many samples taken from all
over Egmondville and the
surrounding area, samples ranging
from four parts of E-coli up to
54,000 parts were found.
Having small numbers is normal,
Vader said, given environmental
factors among others, but when
samples number over 10,000,
she says, it suggests a direct source.
Several councillors felt a number
that would be considered a majority
should be determined before the
vote.
Councillor Larry McGrath said he
wanted to see numbers as high as 70
per cent because of how big of a
decision it was.
Other councillors and deputy-
mayor Bernie MacLellan said they
understood the larger percentage, butfelt the Egmondville sewer issue hasnow become an environmentalconcern, given the high numbers of
contamination.
It was proposed that in the near
future, the Ministry of Environment
would make its way to Huron East
and become involved with the
situation and when it did, deadlines
and provisions might not be as
flexible as they are now.
Council eventually passed a
motion that would see the second
phase of the survey go ahead and a
vote of 51 per cent by the public in
favour of sewers be sufficient for the
expansion.
MacLellan said the environmental
concern should lower the amount of
public support council would need to
make the decision, which they
could technically do with no public
support. Council is, however, in the
business of making decisions for its
residents and serving their best
interests, he said.
A reasonable timeline from the
decision to go ahead with sewers
would be between three and five
years, Vader said.
Vader said many people may be
prepared to fight a decision so
possible appeals and resistance to
the project would not be a surprise.
Effective Nov. 1, the newest
member at the Goderich Co-op
Gallery is the Goderich Art Club
(GAC).
The long-time local group will
become the first “club” participant in
the Co-op as it enters its seventh year
of operation.
Members of the GAC will exhibit
work from a selection of their 31
members on a rotating basis. Visitors
will be able to identify the GAC
presentations in one section of the
gallery set aside for art club
use.
According to GAC member
Corinne Simser-Wagg, “This is a
terrific opportunity for members and
benefits both in many ways.”
GAC members have committed to
assist the Co-op with its local
publicity and public relations
activities. The new association
between the two groups will expand
the support network for the visual
arts in the Goderich and Huron
County areas.
The Goderich Art Club display
will join the other 20 members to
provide a comprehensive cross
section of local art in multiple media
and styles from across the region.
The first GAC display was mounted
Nov. 3 and 4 as the Goderich Co-op
Gallery re-vamps and re-hangs for
the holiday season.
The new GAC work will
complement a new contingent of
special artisans whose work will be
available only for the pre-Christmas
period. The gallery has also
produced a new, limited edition set
of 16 note cards for the winter
season featuring prints from
originals pieces of work by
members.
As well the gallery will present, in
partnership with Elizabeth’s Gallery,
an offering of fine arts in a silent
auction to support the CAS Kids
Booster Club Program. Another new
feature will be an art rental
program.
The gallery, on a trial basis, will be
offering fine art on a long-term basis,
with an option to buy opportunity.
An open house will provide an
opportunity for visitors to view all of
the new displays on Nov. 14 from 1
p.m. A special reception, with
refreshments and entertainment,
hosted by the Goderich Co-op and
Elizabeth’s Gallery is scheduled
from 5:30 to 8 p.m.
For more information, call 519-
440-0523 or 519-524-4080.
Internet visitors may call at
www.elizabeths.ca or
www.gcgallery E-mail enquiries
may be directed to
info@gcgallery.ca or
eprofit@hurontel.on.ca
Gallery hours will be extended for
holiday shopping.
THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 2008. PAGE 27.
Goderich Co-op Gallery
welcomes first club exhibitor
A little talk
John Heaman was the emcee for the evening at last
weekend’s variety concert A Night To Remember at Knox
United Church in Auburn. He had a chat with his infant
“neighbour” to kick the night off before he and his wife,
Geneva played some music for the nearly-full house. (Shawn
Loughlin photo)
CREATIVE MEMORIES
CROPTOBERFEST
COME CELEBRATE WITH ME!
Friday, November 7 • 5:30 ~ 11:30 pm
Cavan United Church, Winthrop
• Scrapbooking • Laughs • Draws
• Food & fun • Prizes • $25 per person
R.S.V.P. Please call or email 519-527-1939
lbernard@tcc.on.ca
Happy 35th
Anniversary
Mom & Dad
Donna & Walter Oliver
November 10
From: The Gang
Happy 25th
Anniversary
Fred & Heidi
McClure
November 12
Love Darrell, Jennifer
and Adam
Salvation Army
Christmas
Hamper Registration
WHERE: Salvation Army Centre
Food Bank Office,
205 Josephine St., Wingham
(door off back parking lot)
WHEN:During Food Bank Hours in
the month of November & December
until Dec 11th
Tuesday 1:00 –4:00 pm &
Thursday 10:00am-1:00pm
*(except Nov 11th & 13th )***
Evening Appointments can be made for
November 17th December 4th & 10th
between 5&7pm
LAST DAY TO REGISTER
FRI DEC 12 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Call Thrift Store
519-357-3757 and talk
to Debra to book your
evening appointments.
Happy
50th
Birthday
Shirley Archambault
November 11th
Love, Rick, Rob, Stef, Becky,
Chris, Jordon, Devon, Braydon
and families
By Shawn LoughlinThe CitizenHuron East council proceedsto second phase of study