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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2005-01-13, Page 20PAGE 20. THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, JANUARY 13, 2005. Pilot project stirs controversy at county By Keith Roulston Citizen publisher A pilot project to loan money to help people who can’t afford to repair their septic tanks proved controversial at the Jan. 6 meeting of Huron County Council. Because the proposed $280,000 loan fund comes from reserves of the Huron County Health Unit which is ruled by the board of health, not council itself, councillors had no control over the project but that didn't stop many from speaking on both sides of the issue. Penny Nelligan, manager of the health unit, explained that the proposal for the Ioan program, modeled on the provincial tile drain loan program, came from the water protection steering committee as a follow up to the county’s planned reinspection of septic systems in an effort to find and repair faulty systems. Such a loan program has long been advocated by Bill Dowson, Bluewater councillor and past warden, who tried unsuccessfuly to persuade provincial officials to institute the loan program. The pilot will initially make money available to homeowners in Ashfield-Colborne-Wawanosh, Central Huron, Bluewater and Huron East, areas chosen for the first phase of septic tank reinspection, Nelligan said. It’s estimated that 300 older septic systems will be inspected with about 100 needing repairs or replacement, according to past experience. While owners of 80 of these will likely be able to get funding from private sources, the program estimates 20 might not be able to get private funding and could take advantage of the county’s loan program, repaying in a three-to-five year period. South Huron councillor Rob Morley didn't feel the county should be loaning money, noting there are other institutions to do that. Nelligan replied that the county was a last­ resort lender for those who couldn't get other funding. Morley worried that the county might end up in the position of having to take someone’s home or farm because of non-payment of the septic tank loans. He also worried that unlike tile drain loans where the province does all the paperwork, the county is going tohave to undertake this work. Other councillors worried that loaning money for septic tanks favoured people in rural areas versus people in urban areas who wouldn’t get a loan to hook up to a sewer system. But Goderich councillor Deb Shewfelt said there have been neighbourhood improvement loan programs in place for years to help people with improvements such as installing sewage systems and Dowson noted that when Bayfield installed its sewage system people had the choice of paying frontage charges up front or paying over several years. Nelligan said county inspectors would try to work with homeowners to find the cheapest solution to their problems. During the Huron Healthy Futures program county officials were able to solve many problems without requiring complete replacement, she said. But Huron East councillor Bernie MacLellan worried that by putting a “stamp of approval” on anything less than a complete replacement, the county was putting itself in the position of being held liable for a septic system failure. “We’re in a position of inspecting and improving. not suggesting solutions,” he said. But Dowson said the Healthy Futures program saved a lot of money because officials were allowed to suggest repairs instead of expensive replacements. The Clean Up Rural Beaches (CURB) program that preceded it wasted a lot more money by insisting on new or nothing, he said. “I think it’s a great program,” was the ringing endorsement from Shewfelt. He noted that cottager associations have been pressing the county to start a re-inspection program to try to ferret out faulty systems and the new program offers assistance to those who might not otherwise be able to afford the necessary improvements. But Dave Urlin, South Huron councillor, was troubled by the lack of details in the health unit proposal. “I’d like to see the proposal first, then approve the money,” he said. “We will be bringing back a full plan before proceeding.” Nelligan promised. County delays decision on Wingham court By Keith Roulston Citizen publisher A proposal to close the provincial offences courts in Wingham and Exeter was delayed by Huron County council after complaints from the Wingham Police Service about additional overtime costs if the court is moved to Goderich. When the issue was raised in a report from the committee of the whole, warden Doug Layton asked for a motion to table the recommendation to centralize all court activity in Goderich until the Wingham police have a chance to present their figures. The recommendation to close the court followed discussions with Robert Ponton, western region senior justice of the peace who expressed concerns over security at the satellite courts which created safety issues for justices of the peace attending those courts. Because of the low volume at the Wingham and Exeter courts, he also suggested it would be more efficient to centralize ail courts in Goderich. The Wingham police point out that it would mean extra costs for their department to have to travel to Goderich instead of having a court conveniently next door to their station. Think Twice-Thin Ice County bids for ethanol plant By Keith Roulston Citizen publisher Four locations in the Huron County were suggested as possible sites for an ethanol manufacturing plant in documents sent to the Canadian Renewable Fuels Association (CRFA), Jan. 7. ' • ' Goderich, Seaforth, Hensail and a number of locations in South Huron were listed in the proposal following a stakeholder meeting held in Clinton in December. The CRFA asked for “expressions of interest”, suggesting five large-scale ethanol plants will be required to meet the provincial target of five per cent of gasoline containing ethanol by 2007 and 10 per cent by 2010. Currently Business assoc, wants plants have been announced for Sarnia, Chatham, Brantford and Cornwall. Potential sites require a large parcel of land, rail access, substantial water supply, corn supply, natural gas and electricity. Sites with access to steam from existing industries, grain handling facilities and nearby cattle operations to use the distillers grain left over from the distilling process have an additional advantage. Goderich councillor Deb Shewfelt told the Jan. 6 meeting of Huron County council he was impressed by the meeting of stakeholders because the attitude seemed to be not to fight over possible locations. There seemed to be a realization that if any community wins the plant the whole area will benefit. “I really think it was a historic day,” he said, suggesting the same attitude needs to be carried on more often. •J* Don't use your SNOWMOBILE AS A 0 SUBMARINE. ICE SHOULD BE 25CM BEFORE IT IS SAFE TO SNOWMOBILE ON ❖ Canadian Red Cross depot for cardboard By Andrew Smith Wingham Advance-Times Pat Newson appeared before council on behalf of the Wingham Retail Business Association to express the need for a cardboard recycling depot. A bin for cardboard drop-off had been available, but it was discontinued in spring 2004, after residents were putting in household garbage and abusing the system. The only alternative is for businesses to take the cardboard themselves, which Newson says is difficult for a number of reasons. Many find it hard to get to the landfill during their limited hours, and business owners don’t have access to large enough vehicles to transport large bundles. “It is neither practical or economical to take the cardboard N, Huron council briefs North Huron council at its Jan. 4 meeting approved payment of the bills and accounts in the amount of $143,445.24.*** Authorization was given from G. Storey and L. Michey to attend the two-day distribution of municipal water course, Jan. 25-26, Harriston. The registration fee of $229 per delegate will be paid by the township. ourselves to the dump,” Newson said. Newson polled 24 local retailers on their thoughts on having a new cardboard depot, and found that 21 of the retailers used the bin when it was there, and 22 supported a new program at no cost to them. “We need a solution to the cardboard problem that’s viable for everyone,” Newson said. Clerk-administrator John Stewart suggested the possibility of looking at other options from Canada Waste, and seeing how other municipalities solve the problem. “If we’re going to consider it again, we have to make sure it’s only cardboard going in,” Stewart said, saying that residents must be kept from dumping garbage in. A suggestion was made to keep the bin locked, and only give keys to business owners. *** Membership fees to the Association of Municipalities of Ontario in the amount of $ 1,486.80 were approved for payment.*** Council authorized an annual payment in the amount of $100 to every municipal employee who qualifies to obtain a pair of safety boots. For further information visit our website at The Avon Maitland District School Board and its community public elementary schools are < proud to offer a quality learning opportunity for our young citizens entering school for the first time. Junior and Senior Kindergarten offer a place where your child can grow and learn in a positive educational environment. A complete registration and information package is available at your nearest public elementary school or contact Darlene Million at 1-800-592-5437 Ext 112 Monday, January 24, 2005 Friday, January 28, 2005 at public elementary schools throughout Huron and Perth Counties For Senior Kindergarten Students must be 5 years of age on or before December 31, 2005 For Junior Kindergarten Students must be 4 years of age on or before December 31, 2005 Avon SCHOOL *1 BOARD 1Maitland Learning for a Lifetime Geoff Williams Director of Education Meg Westley Chairwww.yourschools. ca