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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2005-07-14, Page 20PAGE 20. THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, JULY 14, 2005. Rumble strip policy sent back to committee By Keith Roulson Citizen publisher into the road after raised rumble strips installed following resurfacing in 2002 had been ground down to reduce the noise. At the June 8 meeting of the public works and seniors committee. Pletch had given a verbal report but said he Disagreements over what should be in a county policy for installation of rumble strips led to the policy being sent back to committee when Huron County council met July - had been unable, because of time, to 7. Goderich councillor Deb Shewfelt made the motion to send the policy back to committee after warning that the issue A/as going to split council. The policy had been developed after the June 2 meeting of county council called on county engineer Don Pletch to develop a policy for where the strips, designed to aiert drivers of an approaching stop sign, should be placed. That lengthy debate, in turn, had been triggered by complaints from homeowners along County Rd. 84 at St. Joseph when new rumble strips had been cut County council briefs prepare a written policy. He was asked to present a written policy al the June 14 committee of the whole meeting. Pletch’s recommendation was that rumble strips be installed on all county road “stop" conditions where the road intersection is rural. It was the definition ot rural that divided council. The recommendation suggested rural meant that the road would typically have gravel shoulders, no street lights, and buildings located beyond the minimum setback distances. “We'd belter get a definition ol an urban area. ’ said Ken Oke. South Huron councillor. It there were enough houses along a roadway to warrant lowering the speed limn to 50 km per hour there shouldn't need to be rumble strips, he suggested. “I don't think there should be rumble strips in a 50 km zone. It was pointed out, however, that OPP had clocked cars driving much faster than the speed limit in the St. Joseph area. Oke suggested that the number of houses along the road, perhaps eight or 10. determine il it was classed an urban strips But most snowy conditions when visibility is limited and drivers might not know there are houses along the road. Pletch said no tests of actual noise levels had ever been made at corners like St. Joseph but recently the highways department had used a sound meter to measure the sound both inside vehicles going over the newer ground-in rumble strips and the older raised rumble strips as well as at roadsides. They found the noise level was higher inside the vehicles with the newer strips but lower for neighbours. What’s more, noise levels were higher where trucks had to go up the hill coming from the salt mine or elevators at harbour than near rumble Goderich strips, he said Bernie McLellan, councillor for Huron East, said Pletch's research may be well-intentioned but the fact remained the noise level still irritated people. He suggested the location of the the rumble strips in built-up areas be moved to where the speed limit changes. “It will be doing a lot more good at that point.” It was at that point that Shewfelt moved his motion to refer the pol­ icy back to committee for clearer definitions. area without need for rumble Plelch argued the strips are needed in foggy, rainy or County to explore rentals for ambulance stations budget, the county is no longer maintaining parks along highways including grass cutting, garbage pick-up or placing portable toilets. Ben Ven Diepenbeek. councillor for Ashfield Colborne Wawanosh said a local resident cuts the grass at a park along County Rd. 86 west of Lucknow and the municipality picks up the garbage. County engineer Don Pletch said the lower tier municipalities could decide to maintain the roadside rest stops and provide portable toilets. The entrances to the County Rd. 4 rest stop have been blocked with Huron County may look to the private sector to build ambulance stations in the north end of the county. David Lew. manager of land ambulance services, told county councillors at their July 7 meeting that the county will explore renting buildings in Wingham. Brussels and possibly Lucknow. “I don't think we should put money into buildings.” he said. East Huron councillor Bernie MacLellan said he’d understood that the same design used for stations in Exeter, Goderich and Clinton- Seaforth would be used in North. large concrete barriers to prevent Huron. But Lew said the concern was to get better coverage to cut response times across the sprawling north of the, county which would mean smaller buildings in different locations. He noted that the cost of building a three-bay station similar to those elsewhere in the county had jumped from $1.3 million for three stations to $800,000 for one. Noting the original plan for one central station in the north had come from a consultant. Goderich councillor Deb Shewfelt said the expensive study had created a model that didn’t fit the needs of the county. attendee the meeting to invite councillors to attend the 2005 Huron County Plowing Match near Belgrave. Aug. 26. Grobbink will represent Huron at the 2005 International Plowing Match at Listowel in September. The University of Guelph student, plans to enter medical school to become a rural physician. Invitation Huron Queen of the Furrow, Rosie Grobbink presents warden Doug Layton with invitations to this year’s plowing match, to be held near Belgrave on Aug. 26. (Signal Star photo) people from using it.*** The county has received a $50,000 grant from the Ministry of the Environment (MOE) to assist local water protection programs. Staff at the planning and development department and the health unit have been working with a representatives of the MOE office identify programs funding. “It will cover in London to eligible for COUNTY OF HURON CLASS ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT, SCHEDULE B BRIDGE REHABILITATIONS 2ND MANDATORY PUBLIC CONTACT - PHASE 2 NOTICE OF COMPLETION To resolve the deterioration of a number of bridges, the County of Huron is proposing to undertake repairs to the following bridges: 1) *** Rob Morley, long-time councillor for South Huron, announced he will seek the warden’s chair in December. "Before the electors of South yuron decide to replace me I thought I should take a shot at it,” Morley said. To date, Morley is the only candidate to have put his name forward. Traditionally, July is the time for announcing a desire for the warden’s position though in the past at least one announced September. successful candidate his candidacy in *** The job of warden can be a busy one. Warden Doug Layton, in his monthly report to council, said he had attended 40 functions on behalf of the county in the month of June.*** The issue of the closed roadside picnic area on County Rd. 4 north of Blyth was discussed at the June 8 meeting of the agriculture, public works and seniors committee. Morris-Turnberry councillor Dorothy Kelly raised the issue. It was explained to her that under a decision included in the 2005 part of reinspection program, freeing money for other things,” said Scott Tousaw, director of planning. Van Diepenbeek said the county’s committee set up to oversee funding of projects to improve the environment has reviewed about 30 projects so far. “We are making a difference in MOE’s views,” he said. “Other areas are beginning to take note of things like septic tank reinspection.” In other environmental news. University of Guelph has been awarded $150,000 over three years for a study to evaluate Huron’s reinspection program and develop a model for province experience manual. Environmental Farm Plan for rural non-farm owners, including cottagers. The project is headed by Huron County’s Dr. Wayne Caldwell.*** awards have been to Huron County Jennifer Milne and application based on as well as similar the up 2) 3) Molesworth Bridge, Maitland River, County Road 86, 3.8 km east of County Road 12, Municipality of Huron East/ Twp. Of Howick, Geographic Township of Grey, Concession I, Lot 27-28 Boundary Bridge 26, Tributary of the Ausable River, Line 17, 1.5 km west of County Road 11, Municipality of South Huron/ County of Perth Boundary Bridge 4, Tributary of the Maitland River, Line 172, 0.8 km south of County Road 86, Municipality of East Huron/ County of Perth, Geographic Township of Grey, Concession I, Lot 70 This work is planned to be completed by late 2005. The project is being planned under Schedule B of the Municipal Class Environmental Assessment. Subject to comments received as a result of this Notice, and the receipt of necessary approvals, the County of Huron intends to proceed with the design and construction of these projects. The project plans and other information are available at the Goderich Public Library, 52 Montreal Street, Goderich, ON N7A 2G4. across the Huron’s develop a to the Lifesaver presented paramedics Tracey Renaud for saving the life of a patient who had no vital signs when they arrived on the scene.*** Huron County Queen of the Furrow Rosie Grobbink of Walton Interested persons should provide written comment to the County on the proposal within 30 calendar days from the date of this Notice. Comment should be directed care of Mr. Scott Davis, Totten Sims Hubicki Associates, 72 Victoria St. S. #202, Kitchener, Ontario, N2G 4Y9. If concerns arise regarding this project, which cannot be resolved in discussion with the County, a person or party may request that the Minister of the Environment make an order for the project to comply with Part II of the Environmental Assessment Act, which addresses individual environmental assessments. Requests must be received by the Minister at the address below within 30 calendar days of this Notice. A copy of the request must also be sent to the County Engineer care of the above noted address. If there is no request received by August 13, 2005, the bridge repairs will proceed to design and construction as presented in the planning documentation. Minister of the Environment 135 St. Clair Avenue 10th Floor, Toronto, ON M4V 1P5 This notice issued June 1, 2005 Don Pletch, County Engineer County of Huron