HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Goderich Signal-Star, 2009-01-28, Page 11Goderich Signal -Star, Wednesday, January 28, 2009 - Page Al 1
Municipal surplus, deficit to determine final budget
From BUDGET, Page 1
The Goderich Little Theatre could be walk-
ing away empty-handed, as their $40,000
request for Livery roof repairs was deemed
"lowest priority" on the No -List.
"This is not a municipal building," the re-
port states. "There have been no situations
in the past where the town has expended tax
dollars 100 per cent in a property which they
do not own.
Earlier in the budget session, GLT presi-
dent Stephanie Scholten spoke to council,
asking for their support.
"All I am here for is to remind you," she
said. `We're . really at a crucial spot in the
maintenence of our building."
In order to qualify for a Trillium Grant to
cover the costs, Scholten said GLT needs
community support.
"We appreciate the urgency as far as the
building is concerned," said deputy mayor,
John Grace. He suggested GLT conduct a
study on the repairs and report back in Feb-
ruary.
However, it's not all bad news, as the fea-
sibility study on a new cultural centre is. due
back to council early this year.
The centre would be located in the down- .
town core and is subject to federal funding.
The Sky Harbour Airport will have to tight-
en its belt this year, having all three of its re-
quests cut significantly as the final $581,000
was trimmed from the budget.
The airports combined truck and fuel
tank funding was reduced from $190,000 to
$95,000; as well as a reduction in funding for
runway repairs from $45,000 to $35,000.
A request to expand the airport terminal
building for exhibit room was similarly put
on the back -burner.
Victoria Park will remain as -is this yeat,
after more than $500,000 was spent installing
washrooms and a splash pad last year.
Projects that were given highest priority
were the town hall construction and ultravio-
let disinfectant system for the pollution con-
trol plant.
Both projects are required to be completed
by next year in order to meet government re- .
quirements.
Town Hall is funded to the tune of
$3 million from the Province of On-
tario, and a Build Canada application
has been submitted for the $800,000
r � $4 ("0,
Photo by Gerard Creces
Scouting for a scanner
The 4th Godench Scouts recently donated $500 to the CT Scanner for Huron
County campaign. The funds were .raised through candy floss sales during
Moonlight Movie Madness in Courthouse Park this summer. Accepting on behalf
of the CT committee is'Murdo Hamilton.
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Tues - Thurs 4-12am Fri - Sat Noon -lam
92 The Square, Goderich 519-524-7337
needed for the pollution control plant.
The province has mandated all municipal
buildings be accessible by 2010, and is giving
funding accordingly as time counts down.
The UV system however, must be installed
regardless of where the money comes from.
"Whether or not we get funding, it has to
go," said McCabe.
Also listed as highest priority were senior
housing projects, the Community Improve-
ment Plan, and $100,000 for pre -engineering
to be conducted by B.M. Ross.
In light of any government funding an-
nouncement, the pre -engineering would al-
low council to hit the ground running.
Regular road programs and Parsons Court
expansion were listed as top priority, while
downtown revitalization was listed as a third -
tier project.
"We're spending a lot of money
where we bought back three lots," said
Coun. Heather Lyons. "Downtown
should be a number one priority."
Lyons alluded to a number of shovel -ready
properties in the downtown core, however,
without a concrete plan for development,
nothing can proceed.
"It's not what you call ready," said Mc-
Cabe. "The other ones are ready."
Mayor Deb Shewfelt said without engi-
neering, nothing can be done downtown.
Parsons Court is currently in the midst of an
environmental assessment.
McCabe added without funding from se-
nior levels of government, downtown is not
a priority.
As for Parsons Court, he said any work
would be funded from sales, on an acre-by-
acre
cne by -
acre basis.
The readiness of the land is what is most
necessary now, he said. • .
Council will wait for the 2008 surplus/defi-
cit figures before finalizing the budget, which
is expected to be done in March.
GODERIICH TOWN OF GODERICH
MUNICIPAL CLASS ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT
FOR THE EXTENSION OF PARSONS COURT
NOTICE OF COMPLETION
THE PROJECT:
The Town of Goderich is proposing to extend Parsons Court in order to service lands planned for industrial
development in the community's southeast end. At this time, the Town has selected a preferred strategy for
extending the roadway and for providing municipal servicing to the project site. The key components of
this servicing plan are outlined below and illustrated on the attached key plan.
Primary Components:
• Extension of Parson_ s Court southwards approximately 520m to the municipal boundary. Municipal
services would be installed within the new road allowance. The proposed road corridor also
incorporates alignment modifications to mitigate potential construction -related impacts.
• Construction of a sanitary sewer from the planned road extension to the Huckins Street trunk sewer.
In the vicinity of the adjacent woodlot (Maitland Woods), the sanitary sewer would be installed via
trenchless technology (e.g., directional drilling) to minimize the disturbance to natural features.
• Provision of stormwater management facilities near the western limits of the study area to regulate
the quality and quantity of stormwater being discharged from development sites into Maitland
Woods and the Huckins Street drainage system.
• Creation of a servicing easement between the proposed road extension and Huron Road. A
distribution watermain and a sewer would be constructed within this corridor to service adjacent
lands and to provide watermain looping.
THE ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT PROCESS:
The planning for this project is following the environmental screening process set out for Schedule B
activities under the Municipal Class Environmental Assetsment. The screening process has been
completed. There were no negative impacts identified with the proposed road- project that could not be
mitigated. Subject to any comments received as a result of this Notice and the receipt of necessary
approvals, the Town of Goderich intends to proceed with this project.
PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT:
An Environmental Screening Report documenting the environmental assessment process to date has been
prepared and is available for public review at the Goderich Town Hall (64 West Street) and the Godench
Public library (65 Montreal Street) during normal hours of operation. Further information on the project
may be obtained from the Project Engineer: B.M. Ross and Associates, 62 North Street, Goderich,
Ontario, N7A 2T4. Telephone (519) 524-2641. Attention: Scott Allen, Planner (e-mail:
sallen@bmross.net).
If environmental concerns arise regarding this
project which cannot be resolved in discussion
with the Town of Goderich, 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 tjie Minister at the
address below within 30 calendar days of this
Notice. A copy of the request must also be sent
to the consulting engineers at the address above.
If there is no' request received by February 20,
2009, the work will proceed as planned.
Minister of the Environment
135 St. Clair Avenue
10t Floor, Toronto, ON M4V 1P5
This Notice issued January 21, 2009
i
WIDOW 146
MM.* 01.104,10010 WWWWW
KEY PLAN
1110 ..w
Larry J. McCabe, Clerk/Administrator
Town of Godench