Loading...
The Citizen, 2007-12-13, Page 22Ashfield-Colborne-WawanoshTwp. reeve Ben Van Diepenbeek is outraged at comments by Huron- Bruce MPP Carol Mitchell regarding the township’s wind turbine setbacks. Mitchell made comments last week on FM 101.7 radio stating that the township is “dragging their feet” by not passing their wind turbine bylaw. She said “the township should move so the Kingsbridge II wind project can begin.” Firstly, Van Diepenbeek said the township is not passing a wind turbine bylaw but rather a consolidated bylaw for the three wards. He said the township’s consolidated bylaw is not ready to proceed yet and will still have to go through a public process before it can be passed. “We are not going to pass one part of the bylaw now; we want all of the consolidated bylaw complete,” hesaid.Van Diepenbeek said Mitchellshould know that it is not thetownship “dragging their feet” but the Ministry of Environment. He said Mitchell was with council when they met the minister several months ago and they have been waiting for information since then so they could move forward. He added that it will be early in the new year when the township should have all the information needed to be able to proceed and pass the consolidated bylaw. RENT AGREEMENT Huron County’s emergency medical services (EMS) and Ashfield-Colborne-Wawanosh Twp. have come to an agreement for renting the Ashfield shed. At township council’s Dec. 4 meeting, council learned that the EMS committee has agreed to the township’s decision to decrease the rent by $50, leaving the monthly rental cost at $450, retroactive toJanuary 2007. The EMS committee believed$500 was too much to pay for theformer Ashfield council building. Earlier in the year, the committee proposed that the rent be decreased by $200. David Lew, EMS manager, stated in a letter to council that the building is not being supplied with paper products or housekeeping services by its owner, and they believe that due to these factors, a reduction in the rental agreement was warranted. Lew also was concerned with the building’s water supply, and had suggested that the township provide EMS staff with bottled water. Van Diepenbeek said the township will test the water as well as remove the snow in the winter and pay for the hydro year round. He said the building gives ambulance staff a more spacious and comfortable space to monitor emergency calls outside of the vehicle. BALL’S BRIDGEThe municipalities of CentralHuron and Ashfield-Colborne-Wawanosh have passed a jointagreement for the ownership of Ball’s Bridge. Ashfield-Colborne-Wawanosh Twp. council signed the Ball’s Bridge agreement at their Dec. 4 meeting. Van Diepenbeek said the agreement is similar to one between the township and the Municipality of Huron-Kinloss for the Lucknow and District Sports Complex. Van Diepenbeek said the Ball’s Bridge board will consist of two council members from both Central Huron and Ashfield-Colborne- Wawanosh as well as members of the Friends of Ball’s Bridge committee. He noted that the board chair will alternate each year between the municipalities but the chair cannot be a member of the Friends of Ball’s Bridge. INSURANCE QUOTES Ashfield-Colborne-Wawanosh Twp. council reviewed insurancequotes for the new year.Terry Patterson, of Jardine LloydThompson, and Jeff Coleman andWayne McDonagh, of Frank Cowan and McDonagh Insurance, presented insurance quotes for 2008. Currently, the township is insured with Jardine Lloyd Thompson. Patterson reviewed the policy quote for 2007 which showed the premium was $63,162 plus applicable taxes. The quote for 2008 is $55,989 plus applicable taxes for the blanket limit and accident to object limit being $8,143,557. Coleman and McDonagh reviewed the insurance quote from Frank Cowan for 2008, showing $59,698 plus applicable taxes with the total amount of insurance coverage being $8,298,000. Van Diepenbeek said council requested more information from the companies which they hope to have for their next council meeting. PAGE 22. THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 13, 2007. In a report from social services, it was noted that child care service is growing in Huron County. Information included in the Nov. 27 agenda package for county council said that income testing has made an immense difference to the number of families using licenced care. Numbers have doubled in the past year. *** Rental rates at Highland and Heartland Apartments will increase Jan. 1 by 1/4 per cent as allowable under the provincial rent control guidelines. This brings the price of a one- bedroom apartment to $673.07 from $663.78 and of a two-bedroom to $819.55 from $808.24. Rent can be increased if at least 12 months have passed since a tenant first moved in or since his or her last rent increase. *** The recommendation to amend Huron East’s official plan to permit a residential development was approved. The subject lands include the site of the former Seaforth Public School and adjacent existing lots. “It looks like a very nice plan,” said warden Deb Shewfelt of Goderich. *** Agreements will be required between the county and affected municipalities to establish a permanent household waste depot and increase the Exeter landfill sit’s service area to receive a portion of the waste currently being sent to the Mid-Huron site. A recommendation that these agreements be developed was approved. There will also be a permanent household hazardous waste depot established at the Mid- Huron landfill. *** Middlesex County informed the highways department that they would not be including 50 per cent for the CIR and hot mix overlay on County Rd. 5 between Hwy. 4 and the Tri-County Bridge in their 2008 budget. They may consider it in the future. *** The Ontario Council on Community Accreditation conducted an intensive investigation of the organizational structure and management of the Huron County Health Unit. Central Huron councillor and chair of the health, ambulance and social services committee John Bezaire said the health unit had not only met, but excelled the standards set by OCCHA. They achieved a four-year accreditation. *** A first response agreement between the county and the Brussels Fire Department has been approved. Ashfield-Colborne-Wawanosh council MPP’s comments outrage A-C-W reeve A last minute gift idea! Buy a 1-year subscription to The Citizen for only $32.00 A gift that keeps on giving 50 times a year! Please clip & return to "THE CITIZEN" P.O. Box 429, Blyth, ON N0M 1H0 or P.O. Box 152, Brussels, ON N0G 1H0 ❑❑ Enclosed is $32.00 To: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Address:. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . From: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Date Subscription to start:. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . TT hh ee CC ii tt ii zz ee nn Gift subscriptions come with a Christmas card to send to the recipient. Call for rates to U.S. and overseas ~ 519-523-4792 or 519-887-9114 ✄ ✄ ✄ ✄ THURS. JAN. 10/08 – 7PM BLYTH MEMORIAL HALL www.tommyhunter.com Tickets on sale at Blyth Festival Office, Blyth General Store, Ernie King Music (Goderich & Wingham), Dixie Lee in Clinton. Credit Card Orders: 1-800-465-7829 NNeeww YYeeaarr’’ss LLeevvééee B. M. & G. Auditorium and Arena January 1st, 2008 1 pm to 4 pm Free Entertainment and Skating from 1:30 to 3:30 pm Come enjoy the fellowship Enter a contest to “Name” The Brussels Annual Fun Weekend ~ win 2 FREE dinners to a Brussels Legion Fish Fry. By Dominique MilburnGoderich Signal-Star County council briefs Child care service growing in Huron County ON $5.00 THURSDAYS Drop into either of our offices any Thursday with your word classified (maximum 20 words) and pay only $5.00 + GST (paid in advance). That’s $1.00 off regular rates. The Citizen