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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2001-09-19, Page 13In the name of beauty From fashion to makeovers women were able to pamper themselves as they enjoyed a special night out Sept. 11 in Brussels. Money from the event went towards the Children's Hospital: Leading the way in the Fight against Muscular Dystrophy. Thousands of Canadians are fighting every day against the progressive effects of muscular dystrophy. They count on the support of Fire Fighters in their battle against muscular dystrophy and more than 40 other neuromuscular disorders. When your Fire Fighters ask for a donation, remember the many Canadians affected by a neuromuscular disorder. And please give generously. Until there's a cure, there's us. 1-800-567-CURE Muscular Bystrapliy Association la Canals 1\%o of our best Fighters. THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2001. PAGE 13. Water a complicated issue for HE council By David Blaney Citizen staff Water was once again the subject of ( discussion at the Huron East council meeting Sept. 11. Councillors appeared unsure as to the exact nature of the relationship between the town and Azurix the company hired to manage the water system. The discussion was compli- cated by the fact that changes have been suggested to the terms of the contract. The provincial government requires that certain activities with regards to the water system are over- seen by properly certified individu- als. These duties are concerned with issues of water safety and quality. The agreement with Azurix was designed to deal with annual mainte- nance and the regular testing of the five municipal water systems. Huron East was to be responsible for line breaks and repairs and maintenance not normally performed on an annu- al basis. After a July 2001 meeting between the parties. held to co-ordinate activities on the water distribution system, the municipality began to. consider increasing the scope of Azurix's responsibilities. The com- Grey Central Echo pany suggested they would need to add one full-time operator to the contract at a cost of $65,000. Councillors were unclear whether this person would be involved in more than a supervisory role. In August, Maycr Lin Steffler, called for council to immediately add a full-time water and sewer operator to its own staff, saying, "Everyday we delay on this matter one way or another, is a day for a potential problem." The situation is complicated by the fact that the one staff member with a water certificate is on sick leave and is usually employed as a roads fore- man with public works. Daryl Young, who is currently studying to get his Certificate of Competence, must work with a certified operator to acquire his final license. This latest debate centered on whether council should hire their own operator, expand the Azurix contract or find some middle ground. Steffler indicated quite clearly, that although she and council had no worries about Azurix's competence she favoured the municipality hiring an operator. "I would like more con- trol than an arms-length person." In response to a question about the municipality's legal position, Councilor Dick Burgess stated, -"Liability should not be the reason to go with Azurix." He went on to note that if there was a problem both Azurix and the municipality could be sued regardless of the company's contractual responsibilities. Councilor Bill DeJong did r}ot feel that the added cost of hiring a full- time operator and assigning the cur- rent operator in training full time to water, duties, had been adequately assessed. He particularly questioned whether costs in addition to the salaries had been considered. . An `ad hoc' arrangement with Azurix allowing the operator in training to be paid by the municipal- ity and work alongside the private company's employees was dis- cussed. Councillor Larry McGrath wanted to know, "Could our person work with Azurix, act as a ride- along'?" "Do we have enough work for two people?" asked Councilor Sharon McClure. She went on to suggest that the proposal to second Young to Azurix might solve some of the problems: Unfortunately, the issue of whether Azurix was prepared to oversee this stage of Young's train- ing had never been discussed with the company and could not be resolved prior to the vote on hiring a full-time water operator. When a motion was eventually made by Burgess and seconded by Fergus Kelly to hire a water opera- tor, it was defeated on a tie vote with Mayor Steffler and Councillors Burgess, Kelly, McGrath and Greg Wilson voting aye and Councillors Alvin McLellan, " Graeme MacDonald, DeJong, William Teall and McClure voting nay. Joe Seili and Deputy-Mayor Bernie MacLellan were absent. The vote left council unsure of its options and when a clearly annoyed Steffler asked for some direction about " where to proceed from here?" no clear suggestions were proposed. During the somewhat unfocused discussion after the vote, Steffler returned to the issue of control say- ing, "We have lost control (of the water system) with Azurix because they are a private company." It was eventually decided that a representative from Azurix would be invited to the next regular meeting of council. At the same meeting the council also reviewed several engineering and design estimates estimates. Azurix had previously presented the water and sewer committee with the estimated designed construction engineering costs for the Huron East water system. The design work pre- viously 'approved by council was $97,710 and the construction super- vision would be $73,464. A quotation was received for the engineering of the new water pump- ing station in Seaforth. The total of $117,899 was made up o5 $59,789 for design, and $58,111 for construc- tion supervision. Azurix also provided figur,es for the engineering costs to update pre- vious studies of the Seaforth sewage collection system. They estimated that it would cost approximately $14,500 to update and report the flow of monitoring data and approximately $27,250 .to do zoom camera inspections and prepare a report. Questions concerning the cost of the sewage inspections and reports were voiced by some councillors. Steffler responded, "We know there is contamination out there and we have to find it." After discussion the engineering and design estimates were accepted by council. Accommodation Study Committee meets Thurs. Upcoming school events at Grey Central include student participation in the Brussels fair parade on Wednesday, Sept. 19 and the North Region Community Accommodation Study Committee meeting being held at, the school at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 20. Miss MacKay's morning class is studying nutrition and calories, Best wishes to Becky Ann Earl and Christopher Beuermann who were married on Saturday, Sept. 15 at the learning about all the energy we get from our food. This creative bunch are also involved in painting some beautiful watercolours. Miss MacKay's afternoon class is continuing to work on their Tuck Everlasting novel study. The Grade 6/7 class have exhibited initiative and responsible behaviour which has benefitted both classes. Ethel United Church. Happy 50th anniversary to Audrey and Jack Adair. A Come and go tea was held at St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church, Molesworth on Saturday afternoon. Congratulations to John and Leona Johnston who celebrated 40 years of marriage with a come and go tea at St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church, Molesworth on Sunday afternoon. Best wishes to Laura Sinclair and Brett Fischer who were married on Saturday afternoon at Belgrave. Kindergarten A and B have been 'reading nursery rhymes and doing crafts about the nursery rhymes. Mrs. Bowler's Kindergarten C is learning about growth and change. They are enjoying kindergarten and are excited about using computers and painting. Miss Hill's Grade Is are looking forward to fall, since that is what they are studying. Educational assis- tant Mrs. Elliot helps each afternoon. Mrs. Hemingway's Grade 3s are learning about regrouping, addition, soil and settings in stories. Mrs. Murray's Grade 4s are learn- ing about the capitals of Canada in social studies and how animals adapt to their habitats in science. In math, the class is • learning how to do expanded and standard forms, bar graphs and how to plot co-ordinates. Students are also learning how to the classroom helpers. They have learned many songs including Where the Geese Fly, This Land and Possum, Shrimp and Lobster. Mr. Walker's 4/5 class teamed up with Mrs. Scott's kindergarten's' for read- ing buddies this week. They showed great responsibility while working with their young friends. Mrs. Mitchell's class have become learning buddies with Mr. Park's Grade 1/2 class. The classes had a chance to get together this week to read. Grade 6 students discovered that Mr. Park's students are great readers and illustrators when the Grade 1/2 students shared their Did You Feed My Cow booklets. Mrs. Mitchell was very impressed with the way her Grade 6s encouraged their buddies! Grade 6 students are busy working on non-fiction book report posters about a flight book. While they are involved in their study of flight, they are also reading a biography about the Wright Brothers. In science this week, Miss Henry's class is studying mining as they learn about the earth's crust. One of the experiments the class enjoyed the most involved mining chocolate chips! During reading buddy time this week, Miss Henry's class teamed up with students in Mrs. Hemingway's Grade 3 class. This was an enjoyable and productive reading session for all involved. The Grade 7s are looking forward to the Brussels fair! See you at the parade. Check out The Citizen's WEBSITE at www.northhuron.on.ca Help protect the environment . Reduce, reuse and recycle IT'S TUVIE YOUR PROSTATE MET A NICE DOCTOR. Society Canadian SociOe (ceetry dauncadaniteenrne 1 PROSTATE CANCER.. IT's A (AN THING. Contact the Canadian Cancer Society's toll free Cancer Information Service at I -888-939-333.