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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Goderich Signal-Star, 2009-11-25, Page 10r r 5rscl - (100S] CSS 19cirnevoV `rli�: �ic�ib4lrr� ,liiJ2 iS 17 c� r13 ieh01 Page 10 - Goderich Signal -Star, Wednesday, November 25, 2009 Water metering decision rests with councillors Qhrard Creams signal -star staff How much water am I consuming? It's a question Goderich residents will be asking themselves as the town -wide implementation of water meters looms on the budgetary horizon. In 2008, the environment committee recommended a study be done on the re- quirements and costs for water meters. The results were presented to council Nov. 10 at a special priority meeting at the Memorial Arena. per -use are industrial and commercial Ultimately, the decision to go with businesses. water meters or not rests with council. For residential there is a flat rate fee, Environmental services technologist, and Walker said the per -use billing Jennette Walker said there are many would level the playing field. gains to be had with the installation. "There are always benefits to a user "Water meters definitely reduce peo- pay system," she said. "Those who use ple's use," she said. "Less water used, a lot pay a lot and those who conserve less waste water produced. There are pay less." savings in hydro consumption and in Metering residential units in town bylaw enforcement." would also help keep track of water Currently, the only places that pay loss, Walker said. A busted pipe could easily be tracked and its flow mea- sured. Walker said the difficulty with the water meter proj- ect is there are few to no federal or provincial funding avenues, meaning municipalities are on their own. Already, Mayor Deb Shewfelt has said this would be NOTICE OF PUBLIC INFORMATION CENTRE Highway 21 Rehabilitation from Huron County Road 31 (Saltford Road) to 1.4 km North of Shoreline Road in the Township of Ashfield-Colborne- Wawanosh, Huron County Detail Design and Class Environmental Assessment G.W.P. 136-98-00 THE PROJECT Delcan Corporation, on behalf of the Ministry of Transportation of Ontario (MTO) is currently conducting the detail design for the rehabilitation of 8.8 km of Highway 21 from Huron County Road 31 (Saltford Road) northerly to 1.4 km north of Shoreline Road within the Township of Ashfield-Colbome-Wawanosh, County of Huron. Specific improvements being addressed by the project include: • Pavement rehabilitation • Structural culvert rehabilitation at seven locations • Rehabilitation of the Aubum Rail Trail "Tiger Dunlop" Bridge • Crossing, sideroad and entrance culvert rehabilitation/replacement • Curb and gutter replacements • Guiderail upgrades • Reconstruction/removal of entrances as required. THE PROCESS This project is following the planning process for Group "B" projects under the Class Environmental Assessment for Provincial Transportation Facilities (2000), with the opportunity for public input throughout. Upon completion of this study, a Transportation Environmental Study Report (TESR) will be prepared and made available for a 30 -day public review period. Notification of submission of the TESR will be published in this newspaper and mailed to members of the public who request to be added to the study mailing list. PUBLIC INFORMATION CENTRE As part of the planning process, a Public Information Centre (PIC) is being held to present and obtain comments on the identified study issues and the problem/opportunity being addressed, existing conditions and constraints within the study area, features of the technically preferred detailed design, and construction staging information. The PIC will consist of an informal drop-in centre with displays showing the technically preferred detailed design. MTO and Delcan staff will be on hand to answer any questions and receive your input. The PIC is scheduled for: LAKE HURON Date: Time: Location: December 8, 2009 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Victoria Public School 135 Gibbons Street Goderich, Ontario COMMENTS We are interested in hearing any comments that you may have about this study. Comments and information regarding this study are being collected to assist the study team in meeting the requirements of the Environmental Assessment Act. Information will be collected in accordance with the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act. With the exception of personal information, all comments will become part of the public record. Please send any comments or requests to any of the following: Henry Huotari, P.Eng. Consultant Corporation Project Manager D 214-1069 Wellington Road South London, Ontario, N6E 2H6 Tel: 519-681-8771, ext. 247 Fax: 519-681-4995 E-mail: khuotariOdeican.com Dan Barber, E.I.T. Project Lead Ministry of 'fransportation, West Region 659 Exeter Road, 3rd Floor London, Ontario, N6E 1L3 Tel.: 519-873-4603 Fax: 519-873-4600 Toll-free: 1-800-265-6072 E-mail: ban. .ca Andrew McGregor, MCIP, RPP Consultant Environmental Planner Delcan Corporation 4056 Dorchester Road Niagara Falls, Ontario, L2E 6M9 Tel.: 905-358-7003, ext. 228 Fax: 905-356-7006 E-mail: a.mcgregorSdelcan.com tft2Ontario at the cost of the taxpayers, paying the price of the meters over time with their bills. However, the move would bring Goderich up to date with its water ser- vices and fulfill the town's commitment to the Great Lakes St. Lawrence Initia- tive - to reduce municipal water usage by 15 per cent by 2015. Meanwhile, for the past month, God- erich's effluent has been nearly chlorine free, with the upstart of a new ultra -vi- olet filter at the pollution control plant. Walker said the filter produces the same results as chlorine disinfection, without the use of chemicals. The average water usage in Goderich in September was 89,000 cubic meters or 3,000 cubic meters a day. Anyone taking advantage of govern- ment retrofitting programs should also take the time to install low -flow show- erheads, toilets and taps, Walker said. Not only does it save water now, but it means residents will be paying less should meters become the reality in Goderich. Photo submitted A Gift Shop anniversary The Alexandra Marine and General Hospital Auxiliary Gift Shop is celebrating its 50th Anniversary this year. A drop-in is scheduled for the afternoon of December 6, from 2-4 p.m. Cake and hot apple cider will be served, and a dis- play of historical Gift Shop and hospital memorabilia will be available for visitors to view. Everyone is welcome- you'll find the shop easily if you enter through the hospital's front door. Above, Gift Shop volunteer attendant June Wallace with some of her silk flower arrangements which she has crafted and donated to the Gift Shop.