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Home My WebLink AboutThe Citizen, 1994-08-24, Page 6PAGE 6. THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 24, 1994. Province has no funds for Morris grader By Bonnie Gropp Huron MPP Paul Klopp and two representatives from the Ministry of Transportation (MTO) attended a meeting of Morris council, Aug. 18 to explain why the township did not receive supplementary funding for its new road grader. Annually, municipalities in the province apply for provincial fund ing to assist with the purchase of needed equipment. Morris Twp. purchased a new grader at a cost of $157,895, which, if funding had been received, would be supplemented by approxi mately 50 per cent. When they received word that they did not receive the funding, they requested the meeting with Mr. Klopp and MTO. At the meeting the MTO repre sentatives explained the process by which the $2.5 million allocated for road equipment to municipali ties was divided. In an interview following the meeting, Mr. Klopp said that requests for this type of supplementary funding from this area totalled $8-$ 10 million. Out of five requests for graders, funding was given for two. "These," Mr. Klopp said, "clearly had a lol of hours on them and were quite old." "Morris council probably made the right decision (the grader pur chase), it just didn't meet our crite ria," he said. Mr. Klopp also added that there is also an opportunity, albeit a slight one, that some municipality may not use their funds which will lead to a review of the other requests. The councillors and road superin tendent were understanding, said Mr. Klopp. "The road superinten dent made it clear that they knew when they applied for funding that it is not an automatic guarantee you will get it, whether a grader is 20 years old or five years old." Though Mr. Klopp said he did mention the .situation to the Minster to see if there was any way to "bend" the rules, he also stresses the province's need to budget and the fairness of the criteria selection process used. "We have to give pri ority." Clerk Nancy Michie said council reached the decision to buy a new grader after some discussion. "Council felt it had to be replaced. Since Jan. 23, $19,264 had been spent on repairs and more are need ed," she said, adding that there appears to be a diesel fuel leak . At this point a mechanic has been unable to locate the problem. The lack of provincial funding will not have an effect on this year's mill rate as the township did not budget for supplementary fund ing, Mrs. Michie said. A total of $50,000 will be used from roads reserves. The remaining cost was included in the budget. Morris, MNR differ on drain A difference of opinion arose, regarding the Warwick Drain pro ject, at the Aug. 16 meeting of Morris council. The proposed plan is to replace the drain with tile, however Mike Malhiot of the Ministry of Natural Resources informed council and the project engineer that the MNR regards the 40 meters of the drain al Lot 15, Cone. 4 to be a fish habi tat and therefore could not be tiled. A request to tile the area was for warded to the Drainage Tribunal which advised council that the MNR could not request such a change and that work could pro ceed as originally planned. Mr. Malhiot informed council that, in his opinion, the 40 meters is fish habitat under the Federal Fish eries Act and any actions, by coun cil, in contravention to the act could result in a $300,000 fine for the first offense. "The installation of a tile drain would destroy the fish habitat," Mr. Malhiot said. "The Federal Fisheries Act states that a municipal drain is a fish habitat and in my opinion the Drainage Tribunal has no authority under the act," he says. "The fcdcial government would not want to lose the 40 meters even if there was a compensation agree ment to improve the habitat down stream. They would prefer a fence around the 40 meters (to protect against livestock damage)." Mr. Malhiot says, "The stream has deteriorated due to the impact of the livestock and there is a con tinuing impact." He says, "Only the Federal Min ister of Environment can give per mission for a 'harmful alteration' to a fish habitat and the township must apply to the Ministry. A com pensation agreement is then ratified to provide for improvements to the stream in another section." Mr. Malhiot says, "It was men tioned that the drain had been tiled m the past. If the township could prove that the drain had originally been tiled for a significant period of time, this may change the status of the drain as a fish habitat. The engi neer's report says it was not tiled in the past." Mr. Malhiot agreed to inspect the stream one more time to confirm his opinion. The landowners present at the meeting, Tom and Brian Warwick and Fred Brewer, discussed the options and recommended to coun cil that work proceed to the 40 meter section in question. 1 he landowners said the work needed to be done as soon as possi ble because the tile drains from their fields were not working prop erly due to the poor outlet. Council agreed to proceed with the project up to the 40 meter por tion and complete the drain if the MNR changed their opinion. Barry Weigel was hired to do the work. The appeal of Peter and Hilda Dorsch to the Drainage Tribunal for the Warwick Drain was with drawn. Council and the landowner were presented with a survey of the road at Lot 6, Cone. 2-3 and council pre pared a bylaw to accept the land as roadway. The landowner had no objections to the plan and did not request compensation for the land. Councillor John Duskocy advised council of brush needing to be removed from the road side ditch at Lot 14, Cone. 6. The township received approval from the Ministry of the Environ ment for a $5,000 grant to cover the cost of a waste disposal site capaci ty study. Council will hold a public meet ing on Sept. 22 at the township office to discuss the future of Bel grave Library. Councillor Clem McLellan was appointed to the Court of Revision for the Nichol Drain, Branch C, Grey Township. Mr. McLellan inspected the holes at the end of Kingsbury Drive, Lot 16, Cone. 1 and reported to council that the holes appear to be on MTO property. Reeve Doug Fraser will attend the "burning of the mortgage" cere mony for Belgrave Community Centre on Sept. 10. 'NING GUIDE f Enjoy a meal at these fine area restaurants JAG'S ROADHOUSE Jag's Roadhouse, located on Hwy. 86 just east of Wingham, is a great place to enjoy fine food. Mark Jagelewski, who owns the establishment with his wife Joan, brings 15 years of culinary expertise to the business, having worked as a chef for other restaurants. This is the first lime the couple has operated their own business. "We are enjoying Lhc people and really like the area," said Joan. The Jagelewskis opened Jag’s Roadhouse, which is fully licensed, on June 10 after renovations completed during the spring. Guests can enjoy specialties from an extensive menu, served in a family atmosphere. Wingham 357-4492 In addition there are many special nights. Twenty-five cent wings are served up on the Wednesday night wing nights, while Thursdays the Italian food lovers can enjoy the pasta night, with dishes served from the buffet. Friday night is Prime Rib Night and Saturday is chicken and rib night. Brunch is served on Sundays from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. and Jag's also offers a smorgasbord on Sundays from 4:30 to 8. Reservations for Jag's arc appreciated, but not necessary. The official grand opening of Jag's Roadhouse will be held the end of September. BRUSSELS COUNTRY INN Lunch & Dinner Daily Specials Friday Lunch Buffet Sunday Evening Smorgasbord (Accommodations) WEEKEND ENTERTAINMENT Turnberry Street, Brussels 887-9035 Fireside Cafe Casual Country Dining in an inviting atmosphere. Patio area now open Hwy. 4 South ot Wingham Minutes north ot Blyth Festival WINGHAM 357-4484 Kountry Kettle Restaurant Open Nightly After Theatre Fresh Home-made pies and pastries Friendly Kountry atmosphere Sunday Brunch 10 a.m. ■ 3 p.m. Reservations Appreciated Blyth 523-4836 Blyth loo Lunch: 11:30 -1:30 Dinner: 5:00 - 8:00 Lunch & Dinner Specials Daily Luncheon Buffet on Fridays Light lunches & dessert served throughout the day Entertainment Friday & Saturday 9:00 - 1:00 a.m. Open Monday - Saturdays 11 30 a.m - 1 00 a m 523-9381 Blyth LLBO Golden lantern I^staurant • Daily Specials • Homemade Pies • • Open 7 Days • TURNBERRY ST., BRUSSELS 887-6303