The Goderich Signal-Star, 2009-09-09, Page 13County septic
inspections
on hold for
building code
Cheryl Heath
sun media
The difference a year makes proved to be a
bone of contention for a trio of councillors at
Huron County Council's Sept. 1 session.
Coun. James Fergusson (Bluewater) was
the first to express his disappointment that the
county is not moving forward with a manda-
tory septic -system inspection program after
councillors deemed the plan to be the best
course of action at an earlier session.
And, says Fergusson, the reason why such is
not the case is the board of health has instead
decided to wait out the province's new Build-
ing Code Act, which is anticipated to have a
mandatory septic system inspection program
within its multi -pronged umbrella. -
"I'm a little bit disappointed that a program
council wanted isn't going forward," says Fer-
gusson, noting it would've cost about $65,000
to implement in the first year.
In echoing Fergusson's sentiments, Coun.
John Bezaire (Central Huron) says the county
would be better served if the county would
continue with its natural course of leading the
way by introducing the program before the
province gets on board.
"I think we're missing the opportunity, once
again, to be leaders," says Bezaire, noting Hu-
ron County has managed to put itself on the
proactive legislative map in past years with
ahead -of -its time legislation including smok-
ing bans.
Con. John Grace (Goderich) also stepped
up to support the notion that the time to act is
now.
"The county had an opportunity to be proac-
tive -and has neglected, I feel, its responsibil-
ity," he says.
While not supporting an immediate man-
datory program, Coun. Ben Van Diepenbeek
(Ashfield , . olborne Wawanosh) says perhaps
the count9 would be wise to keep its volunteer
inspection program in place until the province
rolls out its Act.
Councillors Neil Vincent (North Huron) and
Bill Dowson (Bluewater), however, suggest it
is wise to hold back on the program since pro-
vincial legislation will likely carry grant dollars
with it to help cover costs of administering the
program.
"The cost of setting up the program for one
year is out of line," says Vincent.
In turning the matter back to the Huron
County Health Unit for further discussion,
Warden Ken Oke notes council supported a
motion for a mandatory inspection programs
as long as a number of provisions were met
including full support from all of the county's
lower -tier municipalities.
"This council has done nothing to back up
their own statement' says Oke.
Coun. Deb Shewfelt ( rich) notes part
of the problem with the &urrentplan maybe
a lack of health -unit staff that could handle the
program. The county might be better s„crved,
he said, if it hands the program over to a pri-
vate contractor, as has been the method in the
Municipality of Huron -Kinloss.
Goderich Signal -Star, Wednesday, September 9, 2009 - Page 13
Bylaws needed for all -terrain vehicles
FroT previous page.
$2,20,000, but the cost to residents of the
corridor is still under discussion.
Council was presented with the suggestion,
by Erb, that they should pay somewhere be-
tween 40 to 60 per cent of the $700,000 for the
storm sewer, and leave the rest for individual
property owners, however there is some de-
bate as to how to charge this.
Erb suggested several different options, in-
cluding charging for frontage, or how much
property is connected to the storm sewer, a flat
rate, or an area system. Erb stressed the area
model, however, since it would be the fairest.
Council has decided to take the next step,
which would determine costs to individual
landowners. Early estimates suggest the cost
for urban owners could run anywhere from
$3,300 to $7,900, while owners of rural,
or larger lots, might be looking at a cost of
$14,400 to $38,900.
PROPERTY OWNER COMPLAINT
Layne Kulchecki, a near -lakefront prop-
erty owner, spoke to Ashfield-Colborne-
Wawanosh about concerns he has with his
Ashfield -ward property.
According to Kulchecki, who claims to
have owned the property for 60 years, he
has seen a dramatic change in the usage of
township land near his house. Kulchecki ex-
plained to council that the beach front near his
home has become a gathering place for big
and small vehicles, drinking, and fire, and it
wasn't always the case. Prior to the amalga-
mation of Ashfield, Colborne, and Wawanosh
into ACW, there were bylaws protecting the
land, and enforcement.
Kulchecki presented council with pictures
of motor vehicles and ATVs using and being
stuck on the beach, right beside a sign clearly
stating they aren't allowed to be there.
Township staff has heard from Kulchecki
before, but informed him the land he was ask-
ing them to take action on didn't belong to the
township, it was under the umbrella of the
Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR).
Upon contacting the MNR, Kulchecki was
informed by George Booth, a land and water
technical specialist, that the beach is owned
by whoever privately owns the property that
borders it.
"I can firmly state most, if not all, of the
beaches in the geographic Township of Ash-
field... are privately owned to waters edge.
We do not rely upon an individual's deed,
rather we are guided by the original patent is-
sued from the Crown for each lot and conces-
sion," Booth explained in correspondence to
Kulchecki.
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