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Home My WebLink AboutThe Times-Advocate, 2002-11-20, Page 14LUCAN – Thanks to reports on the latest tech- nological and enviromen- tal developments, Lucan Biddulph council is keep- ing up to date . At its regular meeting Nov. 18, council learned about high speed Internet connections, land steward- ship and water conserva- tion. Marg Rule and Jay Brown presented the Middlesex County Library Board Strategic Plan for Internet access. Administrator Ron Reymer said Lucan Biddulph is lucky to have fixed wireless, private phone company (Quadro), satellite and, in urban areas, cable access. Fibre optic cable is feasi- ble in cities but not most of rural Ontario. Brown is surveying retail, commer- cial and industrial busi- nesses about the type and speed of server used and future need for broadband service. He will then tell Internet providers what services the business mar- ket needs. Broadband would allow high-capacity interactive video links for all Canadians regardless of how remote their location. The county would like broadband services within the next three years. The public can give input to the survey at the library or at www.middlesex.library.on .ca. The delegation will bring an action plan back to council in the spring. Environment Ausable Bayfield Conservation Authority (ABCA) general manager Tom Prout explained its stewardship program for reforestation, erosion pro- tection, Nutrient Management Plan reviews and municipal water man- agement. Although Healthy Futures funding for upgrading septic systems funding is used up, Prout said a limited amount of new money is available for manure storage grants. The ABCA approved 11 Healthy Futures projects, granting $55,000. Six were for septic systems and two for tree planting. Ontario Power Generation has a $30,000 per year incentive to plant trees. Farmers are urged to add their names to a wait- ing list for manure storage grant money. Prout said the Level 2 Low Water Response Alert will remain in effect for this winter and Lake Huron’s level is still low. If there is little snowfall this winter, a Level 3 alert would see water con- served for humans and animals but restricted for irrigation and golf courses. Prout said a water-tak- ing permit blitz will be held in March for those taking water without a permit so the ABCA knows who’s using large amounts of water. Council voted to support the $2.9 million in projects ABCA proposes and its levy. Lucan Biddulph pays a percent- age of the levy for areas in the ABCA watershed. Community Wednesday, November 20, 2002 Exeter Times Advocate14 Huron Music Fest Band members from South Huron District High School in Exeter,Central Huron in Clinton,F.E.Madill in Wingham and Goderich District Collegiate Institute played Nov.12 in Clinton for the 15th Huron Music Fest. Above:Anita Klaassen and Aaron Daters.Above right:Kyle Schwartzentruber,Amanda Widdis and Ashley Desjardine belt out the tunes in the Intermediate Band part of the program.The finale featured 190 musicians from Exeter’s senior and intermediate bands and the other schools.(photos/Sandra Forster) By Pat Bolen TIMES-ADVOCATE STAFF VARNA – Bylaws for property standards and lot maintenance are closer to being a reality in the municipality of Blue water. At the Bluewater council meeting Nov. 12, council- lors examined the drafts of the two proposed By-laws. The lot maintenance bylaw will deal with high grass, weeds, and debris and the property stan- dards legislation will cover all repairs and mainte- nance to structures. Neither law will be enforced by tickets, the goal being to work co- operatively with owners to bring their properties into line. If compliance is not possible, the work will be be done by the municipali- ty, and costs recouped by taxes or court action. After reviewing the drafts, several councillors voiced concerns about wording in the proposed bylaws. Coun. Mavis Govier wanted to know “How are we clarifying between urban buildings and nor- mal farm practices?” It was decided to add ‘zoned’ referring to residential, recreational, commercial and industrial lands, and write a more specific defi- nition of motor-vehicle. The bylaws will be resub- mitted at the next council meeting. ABCA Budget Tom Prout, general manager of the Ausable Bayfield Conservation Authority (ABCA) report- ed to council on the pro- posed ABCA budget for 2003. The budget includes an increased levy of $30,551 due primarily to a $16,800 increase in insurance rates in 2002 and project- ed for 2003. Coun. Bill Martin wanted to know why Bluewater’s share of the levy has increased over $20,000 since 2000. Prout explained the levy was artificially low for the nine years preceeding. Mayor Bill Dowson said “Bluewater is not taking advantage of the water- shed for the money we are spending.” The draft bud- get was approved by coun- cil. Zurich Arena Facilities manager Tom Dickens reported he has contacted B.M. Ross con- sulting engineers, to con- duct a Health and Safety inspection on the Zurich Arena. The last inspection was done in 2001 and the rec- ommendations were not carried out. The firm told Dickens since the facility is due to be replaced, the inspection will focus on structural safety issues for the next two years, and the cost will be about $950. Dickens recommended B.M. Ross get the contract because of their experi- ence with the building. The motion was approved. Abandoned Building The status of an aban- doned building at 120 King St. in Hensall was reported on by chief build- ing official Milt Dietrich. Dietrich said the build- ing is structurally sound and the only problems are some loose bricks and weeds that should be looked after. The mortgage status of the property is still in question and a motion was passed to notify the owner of the municipality’s inten- tion to place a snowfence around the property. Remuneration A motion was passed stating remuneration for council members would not increase for 2003. Remuneration for the Mayor will remain at $588.33 per month, deputy mayor $458.33, Councillors $416.67. The per-diem will also remained unchanged at $150 for full day meetings, $90 for meetings less than four hours. The seminar/conference rate will stay the same at $3,000 for the Mayor, and $2,500 for the Deputy Mayor and Council mem- bers. A motion to create a rate for less than two-hour ses- sions was discussed and rejected for this council term. A motion was passed at 11p.m. to adjourn the Nov. 12 meeting and complete the agenda following the special public meeting Nov. 14. Agricultural Society At the Nov. 14 meeting a proposal was received regarding an agreement between the Municipality and the Zurich Agricultural Society. The Society agreed to deed the East St. site land to the municipality for the new arena. The agree- ment is subject to condi- tions, including the Agricultural Society being able to use the Community centre for the annual fair, and the use of the facilities for up to 14 additional days without charge. The society’s request for the Hay Township Hall to be designated a historical property as part of the agreement was debated, and council decided to reply to the Agricultural Society that the historical building request should be acted on separately. Library Strategic plan The Huron County Library strategic plan was reviewed to decide whether it would be sup- ported. The ‘Ontarians With Disabilities Act, 2001’ states by Sept 2003 municipalities must have a first plan identifying steps they are taking to remove barriers to people with disabilities Council voted to approve a motion supporting the strategic plan, and to form a committee to formulate a plan and review the Zurich Library regarding disabled access. Property standard bylaws coming to Bluewater Internet,water:Lucan 261 Main St. Exeter