HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2004-09-09, Page 12Double appreciation
Brussels fire chief Murray McArter, right, made a special
presentation to firefighter Ross Somers in recognition of 25
years of service to the department. Deputy-chief Max
McLellan presented a pin to Somers's wife Judy for her
support. (Bonnie Gropp photo)
County opposes some
planning act changes
LAWN
QUESTIONS?
Organic Programs 410,
Available ACCREDITED
WesilvVant
524-2424
-Trust the Professionals -
Mark
Your
ealondar
for a..., INCLUDES
•New filter. installed •Up to 5L 10W30 motor oil
•Chassis lube (if applicable)
•Comprehensive 55 pt. check over with report card
•Plus taxes
•Plus oil disposal
•Most makes .models
summitatORIERIC/4
524-9381 or 1-800-338-1134
Maitland Valley
Conservation Authority
The MVCA
provides financial
and technical
tree planting
support.
We assist
landowners with
the development
of planting plans
and maintenance
guidelines.
.4J•
Reforestation
Assistance Service
(Seedlings)
This service
provides assistance
to landowners who
are reforesting
marginal lands or
planting field
windbreaks. Our
staff will assist you
in choosing
appropriate species
and creating a
planting plan.
Plant your own
seedlings or have
us do it for you.
Roadside and
Windbreak Tree
Service
This service offers
larger trees for
planting along
roadsides and in
windbreaks. A
variety of tree
species are
available from the
MVCA based on a
50 tree minimum
order. Call us today
for information on
the application
deadlines for these
services.
2005 TREE PLANTING
SERVICES
Call us at
519 335-3557 for
information and
application forms.
Maitland Valley Conservation Authority
Box 127, Wroxeter, ON NOG 2X0
(519) 335.3557 Fax (519) 335.3516
Working for a Healthy Environment!
PAGE 12. THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2004.
Huron County councillors have
told the province thepdo not support
some aspects of Bill 26 which will
amend the planning act.
Planning director Scott Tousaw
told council "There is
unprecedented activity in planning
in Ontario" from the proposed
amendments in the planning act to
greenbelt legislation. The concern in
rural Ontario is that urban-oriented
programs may not be fitting in rural
areas. "We're recommending_ that
alternatives be allowed in areas
where there isn't urbanization
pressure," Tousaw said.
An example is the provision for
the creation of rural small holdings
where there are surplus residences
on farms. The province would ban
Library sets
The Huron County Library Board
has set a deadline of Dec. 31, 2005
for municipalities to implement
improvements to libraries outlined
in the board's strategic plan.
"There was some urgency that if
progress is to be made there needed
to be some deadlines," said Howick
councillor Rosemary Rognvaldson,
a member of the board.
The board also set a deadline of
this Dec. 31 to implement provisions
of the plan for re-education of staff.
There had been some concern
expressed by councillors such as
North Huron's Doug Layton when
such lots but Huron County
currently leaves it up to each
municipality to make that decision
and is recommending that the
province delegate such decisions to
local municipalities.
Tousaw said he felt the - province
might change its mind and leave
such decisions to local councils.
Councillors also said the province
must be aware of the implications of
new drinking water protection
regulations on rural infrastructure
including rural churches and
community halls.
The county also expressed
concern over the unknown impact of
new regulations to protect
greenspace on the lakeshore
area.
deadlines
the strategic plan was unveiled in
July 2002 about the cost of
upgrading when there were two
library branches within one
municipality such as the Blyth and
Wingham branches in North Huron,
both of which would need to be
upgraded.
At the Sept. 4 meeting of council
Joe Seili of Huron East wondered if
the December 2005 deadline is to
have new facilities in place or just a
plan for new facilities.
Rognvaldson said the board would
like to see plans in place by that
date.
Page for the September session of
Huron County council, Thursday
was Sara Baker of RR3, Brussels.
The Grade 9 student at Listowel
District Secondary School is the
daughter of Alan and Shirley Baker.
She was introduced by Huron East
mayor Joe Seili who said she is
active in 4-H and plays soccer.
***
Huron County has been deemed
eligible for funding under the
Cultural Capitals of Canada
program.
An advisory committee, composed
of the mayors of the 2004 cultdral
capitals winners as well as arts and
cultural experts will evaluate all
eligible submissions with the
winners announced this fall. It could
means $300,000 to $500,000 for arts
and cultural activities in the county.
***
Huron County turned down a
request from the Bruce County
highways department to go together
to pave County Rd. 4 from Wingham
to the Bruce County boundary in
2005.
Bruce had requested the counties
co-operate in order to get a cheaper
tender for resurfacing. With cuts to
the Huron roads budget in last
By Keith Roulston
Citizen publisher
Huron County councillors will
await a report from county engineer
Don Pletch before deciding whether
to grant the wishes of residents of
Turnberry Estates for a reduction of
speed limits on County Rd. 86.
A delegation of residents from the
40-plus home development west of
Wingham appeared at the Aug. 4
meeting of the agriculture and
public works committee to ask that
the speed limit in the area be
reduced to 70 km per hour because
of their fear of speeding traffic in qn
area where many people are turning
to enter or leave the community.
Currently the speed limit is 70 km.
per hour for one km. from the Hwy,
4 junction but goes up to 90 near
Turnberry Estates. Residents asked
that the 70 km. zone be extended to
Currie Line, farther to the west.
But in a letter to Morris-Turnberry
council, Pletch argued the speed
limits should remain the same. He
stated that a three-day OPP blitz
spring's budget, however, Huron
cannot afford to repave its portion of
the highway until 2007.
***
Several appointments in the roads
department were reported by the
agriCulture, public works and seniors
department. Mike Alcock is a new
engineering technician. Bert
Middegaal was named foreman for
the Auburn operation; Walter
Johnston, fleet manager; Don
Adams, foreman and Rick Poets
assistant foreman for the bridge
crew.
***
Council approved the spending of
up to $100,000 for the installation of
seamless flooring at Huronlea. The
work' will be done by Bluewater
Carpet and Tile of Goderich at a cost
not to exceed $13 per square foot for
ceramic tile and $15 per square foot
for sheet vinyl with a moisture-
resistant underlay.
Both Huronlea and Huronview
have had difficulties with seams in
the original flooring installed when
the facilities were built 12 years ago.
Seams have separated leaving
anywhere from hairline cracks to
one-inch gaps. Even when floors
have been replaced, the new seams
along County Rd. 86 saw only three
charges and six warnings given for
speeders and the OPP felt traffic
generally moved at 90-95 km. per
hour in the area. The county, he said,
must set speed limits at a level at
which 85 per cent of drivers feel
safe.
Lowering the speed limit would
actually endanger the safety of
residents of Turnberry Estates, he
suggested, because the majority of
drivers would continue to travel at
the higher speed and the greater the
differential between fast and slow
vehicles, the more danger is
created.
Still, Pletch told council there may
be liability issues for the county
whichever direction it chose to go in
its decision. He promised to report
back to the committee with his
findings.
soon separated. Ministry regulations
say the problem must be eliminated.
***
Cousins Construction was
awarded a $10,500 contract to build
a shed at Huronlea.
***
Goderich architect Allan Avis has
been hired to created plans for
expansion of Huronlea and
Huronview by one bed each.
Huronview currently has 119 beds
but is licensed for 120 while
Huronlea has 63 beds and is licenced
for 64. The county has been given
authorization by the province to put
the additional spaces into operation
this year. The two additional beds
would generate $84,235 a year in
revenue.
***
Goderich councillor Deb Shewfelt
asked council to consider money in
the 2005 budget for a study to
explore the need for more subsidized
housing in Goderich.
Shewfelt said the ministry of
municipal affairs and housing had
suggested the study to establish the
need for more housing so that if the
federal and provincial governments
ever agree on new funding the case
for the housing would be in place.
Morris-Turnberry mayor Dorothy
Kelly said another delegation from
Turnberry Estates plans to attend the
Sept. 8 meeting of the agriculture
and public works committee.
BUY? SELL?
TRY CLASSIFIED
County council briefs
County eligible for funds
County awaits report